Jase Bowen eschews Michigan State, signs with Pittsburgh Pirates

Michigan State is 0-for-1 in keeping football recruits that were drafted in the MLB Draft.

Jase Bowen, who was also a baseball recruit, announced on Twitter that he has signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Michigan State will always hold a special place in my heart, but today a childhood dream of mine came true. I officially signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates to begin my professional baseball career. Couldn’t think of a better first job. Go Bucs🖤💛 pic.twitter.com/5l67C0f31c

— jase bowen⚾️🏈 (@Jase_bowen32) June 19, 2019

Bowen was projected to play receiver and shortstop for the green and white next season. Now he’ll head to the minors and get his pro baseball career started. He’ll reportedly head to Bradenton Florida to join the Pirates Gulf Coast League affiliate.

More details on Jase Bowen signing with the Pirates: He will leave for Bradenton, Florida right away to join the Pirates rookie ball team in the Gulf Coast League. He may be playing his first pro game tomorrow night. pic.twitter.com/pDQV4aXKM2

— Jordan Strack (@JordanStrack) June 19, 2019

While he can no longer play college baseball, Bowen is still technically eligible to play college football. The NCAA allows athletes to play for schools if they are getting paid to play a different sport like 2019 Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray. It is unlikely that this is the scenario for Bowen as Murray negotiated with the Oakland A’s to allow him to play a year of college football. As a high draft pick with a huge signing bonus, Murray had much more negotiating leverage than a 12th round pick like Bowen.

Michigan State must now wait on Adam Berghorst, the other MSU signee who was drafted. Berghorst was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 12th round of the draft.