Matthew Chou Bowman Bio
Matthew Chou Bowman (born May 31, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher who has played for multiple Major League Baseball organizations throughout his career. He made his MLB debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016 and has since appeared for the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, and Baltimore Orioles. Bowman was selected by the New York Mets in the 2012 MLB Draft and has built a career as a reliable bullpen arm across multiple organizations. He played college baseball at Princeton University before beginning his professional journey in the minors.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Chou Bowman grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland, where he developed his passion for baseball at a young age. He attended St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., a prestigious institution known for producing competitive student-athletes. During his senior year at St. Albans, Bowman established himself as one of the top high school players in the region, earning All-Met Player of the Year honors as both a shortstop and right-handed pitcher. On the mound, he posted an impressive 0.70 earned run average while batting .419 at the plate, demonstrating his two-way talent.
Following his standout high school career, Bowman continued his academic and athletic pursuits at Princeton University, where he played for the Princeton Tigers baseball team from 2010 to 2012. He served as both a pitcher and shortstop for the Tigers, showcasing the versatility that would define his professional career. His pitching repertoire included a low-90s fastball that reached 95 miles per hour, a hard slider, a curveball, and a changeup. As a sophomore, he earned second-team all-Ivy League honors at shortstop, and during his junior season in 2012, he went 4-2 with a 4.66 ERA in nine starts while also batting .308 with one home run in 33 games.
Path to Professional Baseball
During his college summers, Bowman honed his skills by playing shortstop for the Bethesda Big Train, a prestigious wooden-bat summer league team known for developing professional prospects. This experience against top collegiate talent helped prepare him for the next level of competition. His strong performance at Princeton and during the summer league caught the attention of Major League Baseball scouts, leading to his selection in the 2012 MLB Draft.
The New York Mets chose Bowman in the 13th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft, selecting him for his promising arm and positional versatility. He made his professional debut that same season with the Brooklyn Cyclones, where he posted a 2.45 ERA in 29 and one-third innings pitched. This strong introduction to professional baseball set the foundation for his ascent through the minor leagues over the following years.
Matthew Chou Bowman Career
New York Mets Minor League System (2012-2015)
After his debut with Brooklyn, Bowman continued his development within the Mets organization. He started the 2013 season with the Savannah Sand Gnats and earned a promotion to the St. Lucie Mets during the season. Over 21 starts, he compiled a 10-4 win-loss record with a 3.05 ERA and 116 strikeouts, demonstrating his ability to dominate hitters at the Single-A level. The following season, Bowman climbed to Double-A, starting with the Binghamton Mets before earning a mid-season promotion to the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s in July 2014.
Between Binghamton and Las Vegas in 2014, Bowman made 24 appearances with 23 starts, posting a combined 10-8 record with a 3.21 ERA. However, he struggled during the 2015 season back with Las Vegas, where he pitched to a 7-16 record and 5.53 ERA. Despite the challenging year, his overall minor league track record was sufficient to generate interest from other organizations heading into the Rule 5 Draft.
St. Louis Cardinals Breakthrough (2016-2018)
The St. Louis Cardinals selected Bowman in the 2015 Rule 5 Draft, acquiring his rights from the Mets organization. This move represented a significant opportunity, as Rule 5 players must remain on their new team’s 25-man roster for the entire season or be offered back to their original club. Bowman made his MLB debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 6, 2016, throwing two innings with one hit allowed and two strikeouts. He earned his first MLB win on June 8, 2016, in relief against the Cincinnati Reds. Bowman finished his rookie season with a 2-5 win-loss record and a 3.46 ERA, appearing in 47 games out of the bullpen.
The 2017 season proved to be one of Bowman’s most productive at the major league level. He posted a 3-6 record with two saves and a 3.99 ERA across 58 and two-thirds innings pitched in relief, establishing himself as a reliable middle-relief option for the Cardinals. However, the 2018 season presented challenges as Bowman dealt with injuries. After compiling a 5.75 ERA in 20 and one-third innings with two stints on the disabled list, he was optioned to Triple-A Memphis in July. He appeared in 22 relief games for St. Louis that season, going 0-2 with a 6.26 ERA before being outrighted at season’s end.
Cincinnati Reds and Recovery (2019-2020)
On November 2, 2018, the Cincinnati Reds claimed Bowman off waivers, providing him with an opportunity to continue his MLB career with a new organization. He began the 2019 season with the Triple-A Louisville Bats and earned a promotion to the Reds in May. Bowman appeared in 20 games for Cincinnati that year, showcasing his ability to contribute at the major league level. Tragically, his season and career trajectory were derailed when he underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-September 2020. Following the procedure, the Reds outrighted Bowman off their roster on October 14, 2020, and he elected free agency two days later.
New York Yankees Journey (2021-2023)
On December 14, 2020, Bowman signed a two-year minor league contract with the New York Yankees organization. However, he did not pitch in 2021 as he continued his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and he missed the entire 2022 season as well. Despite these setbacks, Bowman remained committed to his comeback attempt. On January 13, 2023, he re-signed with the Yankees on a new minor league contract and began the season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
With Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Bowman made 30 appearances and logged a 3.29 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 3 saves across 38 and one-third innings. He exercised an opt-out clause in his contract in July 2023 and was briefly released before re-signing with the Yankees on a major league contract. The Yankees promoted Bowman to the majors on September 10, 2023. He appeared in three games for New York, allowing four runs on six hits with three strikeouts in four innings of work. Following the season, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A before electing free agency.
2024 MLB Season: A Journey Through Five Organizations
The 2024 season became one of the most eventful of Bowman’s career as he navigated through five different MLB organizations. On January 18, 2024, he signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins. After five scoreless appearances for Triple-A St. Paul Saints, the Twins selected his contract to the major league roster on April 13. He made five appearances for Minnesota, recording a 2.35 ERA with 6 strikeouts across 7 and two-thirds innings before being designated for assignment on April 30.
On May 2, 2024, Bowman was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for cash considerations. He struggled in four appearances for Arizona, posting an 8.10 ERA with four strikeouts across 6 and two-thirds innings. After being designated for assignment, he cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Reno before rejecting the assignment and electing free agency. On June 4, Bowman signed with the Seattle Mariners organization and after two scoreless appearances for Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, he was called up on June 9. He made only one appearance before being designated for assignment again, ultimately electing free agency on June 14 before re-signing with Seattle on a new minor league contract.
Bowman returned to the Minnesota Twins on July 4, 2024, but his second stint lasted only five weeks before he exercised an opt-out clause and was released. His most significant 2024 impact came with the Baltimore Orioles, who signed him on August 15. After two scoreless appearances for Triple-A Norfolk Tides, Bowman was selected to the major league roster on August 22. In 15 appearances for Baltimore, he posted a 3.45 ERA with 14 strikeouts across 15 and two-thirds innings.
Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros (2024-2025)
Bowman re-signed with the Orioles on December 20, 2024, on a minor league contract. Baltimore selected his contract on March 23, 2025, but removed him from the 40-man roster just four days later. Following an injury to Albert Suárez, Bowman’s contract was re-selected on March 30. In 16 appearances for the Orioles during the 2025 season, he recorded a 5.19 ERA with 12 strikeouts across 17 and one-third innings. The 2025 season featured significant roster volatility for Bowman, as he was designated for assignment multiple times, sent outright to Norfolk, and added back to the active roster on three separate occasions. He was finally released by Baltimore on August 29, 2025.
On August 30, 2025, Bowman signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros organization. He made nine appearances including one start for Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys, logging a 2-2 record and 3.48 ERA with 11 strikeouts across 10 and one-third innings. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2025.
Matthew Chou Bowman Career Wins
Throughout his MLB career, Matthew Chou Bowman has established himself as a versatile reliever capable of contributing across multiple organizations. His career MLB statistics through the 2025 season include an 8-14 win-loss record with a 4.38 ERA and 194 strikeouts across 162 and two-thirds innings pitched. His career spans from 2016 through 2025, with his most substantial MLB experience coming during his time with the St. Louis Cardinals from 2016 to 2018.
St. Louis Cardinals Highlights
Bowman’s most productive MLB stretch came with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he appeared in 127 games across three seasons. His rookie year in 2016 was highlighted by his MLB debut on April 6 against the Pittsburgh Pirates and his first career win on June 8 versus the Cincinnati Reds. He finished that season 2-5 with a 3.46 ERA in 47 appearances. The 2017 season saw him post a 3-6 record with two saves and a 3.99 ERA in 58 and two-thirds innings, his highest strikeout output in a single MLB season.
Minor League Achievements
Prior to his MLB career, Bowman compiled impressive minor league statistics, particularly during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. In 2013 with Single-A St. Lucie, he went 10-4 with a 3.05 ERA and 116 strikeouts over 21 starts. The following year, between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas, he combined for a 10-8 record with a 3.21 ERA in 24 appearances. These performances laid the foundation for his eventual MLB call-up and demonstrated his ability to pitch effectively at multiple minor league levels.
| Series | Wins | Losses | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB Career | 8 | 14 | 4.38 | 194 |
| St. Louis Cardinals (2016-2018) | 5 | 13 | 4.36 | 93 |
Matthew Chou Bowman Family
Family Background
Matthew Chou Bowman comes from a distinguished family background. His mother is Margaret Chou, and his father was William Bowman, who has passed away. Bowman’s multicultural heritage is reflected in his given name, Chou, which comes from his mother’s side of the family. His upbringing in Chevy Chase, Maryland, provided a stable foundation for his development as both a student-athlete and eventual professional baseball player.
Personal Life
Bowman is married to Eve Levin, a trial attorney. Eve is the daughter of Jeremy Levin, a South African-born businessman, medical doctor, and research scientist, and Margery Feldberg, whose father is Stanley Feldberg, co-founder of the TJX Companies. The couple’s connection to prominent business and professional families reflects Bowman’s own background of academic and athletic excellence. His education at St. Albans School and Princeton University, combined with his professional baseball career, demonstrates the diverse achievements that have shaped his life both on and off the field.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a challenging but resilient chapter in Matthew Chou Bowman’s professional career. After beginning the year with the Baltimore Orioles organization, he experienced significant roster volatility, bouncing between Triple-A Norfolk and the major league club multiple times throughout the season. His 16 MLB appearances with Baltimore produced mixed results, with a 5.19 ERA and 12 strikeouts across 17 and one-third innings pitched. The Orioles utilized him in various relief situations as they navigated their own playoff race.
Following his release from Baltimore in late August, Bowman quickly found a new opportunity with the Houston Astros organization. He reported to Triple-A Sugar Land and made nine appearances including one start for the Space Cowboys. His performance there, a 2-2 record with a 3.48 ERA and 11 strikeouts across 10 and one-third innings, demonstrated his continued ability to pitch effectively at the Triple-A level despite the uncertainties of his major league future.
Throughout his career, Bowman has shown remarkable resilience in overcoming injuries, including Tommy John surgery that cost him the 2021 and 2022 seasons, and his ability to continue earning opportunities across multiple organizations speaks to his determination and adaptability. As a veteran reliever with experience in seven major league organizations, he brings a wealth of clubhouse knowledge and versatility to any pitching staff. His journey through the 2025 season exemplified the perseverance required to maintain a professional baseball career at the highest level.