This Royals pitcher once threw a no-hitter. He’s fighting for something greater
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Jonathan Bowlan transitioned from starter to reliever for the Royals in 2025.
- Bowlan has posted 14 strikeouts over his last 10⅔ scoreless innings.
- Kansas City relies on Bowlan's steady bullpen role amid postseason aspirations.
Jonathan Bowlan was the center of attention. For eight innings, he had kept any intrusive thoughts from derailing what was unfolding.
It would’ve ruined the moment.
Bowlan, who hails from Arlington, Tennessee, was a long way from home, somehow winding up around 15 hours away — at Daniel S. Frawley Stadium in Wilmington, Delaware — to chase his professional dreams.
And he was three outs away from history.
Bowlan had faced a batter over the minimum against the Carolina Mudcats. At the time he didn’t know it, but Bowlan was about to change the course of his career. As he stepped back on the mound, he fired one final strikeout and celebrated in jubilation.
The scoreboard read zeroes across the board. Bowlan had thrown a no-hitter for the Wilmington Blue Rocks — now a former Royals’ High-A affiliate. It was the second no-hitter in club history.
Bowlan had butterflies as his career night played out. He had never thrown a no-hitter before. Now, he had done it at 22 years old.
“At the end, after the strikeout, it was pure excitement,” Bowlan told MiLB.com that night. “I had to express myself. I had to let it out.”
It was a career highlight to begin his baseball odyssey — one that became filled with multiple twists and turns.
Six years later, Bowlan can reminisce about it all.
“The no-hitter definitely gave me confidence and let me know that I was built for this,” Bowlan told The Star on Tuesday.
Now, Bowlan is embarking on a new venture with the Royals. His days as a starting pitcher are gone — save for a unique scenario Wednesday, when he’ll be called into action — but that same modicum of joy remains.
At the highest level, Bowlan found a different purpose. And it’s helping the Kansas City Royals down the stretch in September.
A sense of relief
The Royals came to Bowlan with a proposition this offseason. After making 35 appearances (16 starts) with Triple-A Omaha, the club wanted Bowlan to make a positional change.
His services were needed in the bullpen. The Royals — who made a few quality starting additions — decided his best fit would be as a full-time relief pitcher.
Bowlan dabbled in the role last season. He finished 12-4 with a 4.67 ERA in 104 innings pitched with the Omaha Storm Chasers. And his lone Royals appearance was a spot start that lasted 2 ⅔ innings.
“I mean, I was happy with it,” Bowlan said. “If it was to help this team in any way that I can — to where I’m up here to help the Royals — I’m willing to do whatever it takes to do that and help this team win ballgames at some point. So I kind of just accepted it and went with it.”
However, a new role required a renewed focus. Bowlan had to learn the nuances associated with relief work, from arm care to consistent throwing.
Bowlan took time to find his routine. Generally, the day begins with stretching and a light lift in the weight room. Then, there’s built-in time to get loose while addressing any lingering physical concerns.
A few hours before the game, Bowlan will go out and play catch with the relievers. There is a mix of long toss and other drills to get his arm loose and adrenaline flowing.
Afterward, the prep work comes into play. Bowlan will go over different notes from the pitching staff and check in with his veteran teammates for advice on pitch selection and how to handle high-leverage situations.
Once the game begins, Bowlan waits for his name to be called.
“Now that I’ve had this full year of being in the bullpen, I finally found a good routine and I know what to expect and how I’m feeling,” Bowlan said. “It’s not every day you are going to feel great, and it’s honestly just going out there and focusing on the task at hand.”
Bowlan noted the biggest key is keeping his body regulated. It’s very important for him to warm up in a short manner. Most relievers get maybe 15 to 20 pitches in the bullpen before coming into the game.
And there’s a razor-thin margin for error. Bowlan is usually inserted into games where he is needed to provide length or stymie a potential rally.
A prime example was a recent appearance at Kauffman Stadium. On Sept. 4, Bowlan tossed two innings against the Los Angeles Angels. The bullpen was taxed and the Royals were down a run in the middle frames.
Bowlan followed Royals rookie Noah Cameron. He was the first reliever out of the bullpen, tasked with keeping the late deficit at one run.
The Angels, who have a talented lineup, didn’t score while Bowlan was in the game. He recorded two scoreless innings and struck out two batters. And he ended his night with a critical pickoff of Angels infielder Zach Neto at first base.
“It seems like he’s gotten to a point, somewhere along in this season, where his execution has just gotten way more consistent and kind of climbed steadily,” Royals catcher Luke Maile said. “He is definitely a guy that, when he comes into the game, everybody feels good about.”
A simple approach
It’s no secret that a good bullpen is contingent on its relievers. Every pitcher is different and offers a unique look on the mound.
Bowlan has a variety of pitches. He offers a four-seam fastball, slider, sinker, curveball and changeup. He’s confidence in his allotment and willing to throw each pitch as the situation deems.
The slider is considered his go-to offering. Bowlan has registered a 42.7% whiff rate with the pitch, per Baseball Savant. He will usually balance his four-seam fastball and sinker to offer a different look.
However, the goal is to remain simple.
Bowlan thrives on not trying to overcomplicate his pitch selection. His initial mentality is to be efficient while getting the necessary outs that are assigned.
“I just feel like the pitches are sharper,” Bowlan said. “I can focus more and then sometimes I don’t have to use every pitch that I have — whether that be fastball, curveball, changeup, slider, two-seamer — just being able to break it down. I’m a simple kind of guy and a simple pitcher. As long as things are simple for me, then I’m willing to just roll with it.”
The Royals have been impressed with Bowlan this season. Despite bouncing between Triple-A Omaha and the majors, Bowlan has consistently put together scoreless innings.
He has a 3.57 ERA in 26 relief appearances this season. In his last 10 ⅔ innings, Bowlan hasn’t allowed a run or hit. Additionally, he has recorded 14 strikeouts and walked five batters.
“I’ve only known him as a reliever, and just getting to know him from the start of spring training, he never gave me the impression that he has done anything differently,” Maile said.
A final push
If the Royals are going to make a second consecutive postseason appearance, it will take guys like Bowlan having an impactful role.
Bowlan, who was a second-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, will need to do his part in helping the team make a late run. He continues to carve out his niche alongside veterans Angel Zerpa, Taylor Clarke, Sam Long and John Schreiber, among others, as middle relief options.
“They’re fearless and they’re selfless,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “They’ll take the ball in any role. They’ll go three days in a row and they’ll do whatever it takes to help us win.”
Bowlan is ready for the upcoming challenge. He wasn’t on the postseason roster last season and is making a strong case for inclusion, should the Royals make it.
It’s been a long road, but one that has provided him with a chance to remain at the MLB level — and to pitch in the biggest games.
“You know, I love starting, but everybody’s journey is different,” Bowlan said. “I’m just thankful for the opportunity to even get the chance to be here and be on this team.”
This story was originally published September 10, 2025 at 6:30 AM with the headline "This Royals pitcher once threw a no-hitter. He’s fighting for something greater."
