2023 MLS SuperDraft Grades: Seattle Sounders

Round 3: Pick 59=D Blake Bowen (San Diego State) (trade with STL)

With their second and final pick of the draft (the one added in the trade from earlier in the night), Seattle selected Blake Bowen out of San Diego State. I pinpointed left-back as the other big need heading into the draft for Seattle, and this might be an attempt to help add some depth to that position.

Bowen scored three goals and added two assists this past season for the Aztecs. Overall for his career, Bowen scored nine goals and added five assists in 56 career appearances. He was a second team All-Pac 12 selection this year, as well as a third team All-Region selection.

It appears Bowen played both in the midfield and along the backline in college at SDSU. I believe he will play as a defender who can get forward and contribute in the attack in the pros. His exact position at the next level will be interesting to see.

I think Bowen will likely spend this season with Tacoma Defiance as Seattle looks to lock Bowen into a position and figure out exactly where he will be best utilized (which I think will be at full-back, especially since Seattle announced him as a defender). With full-back being a position of need, it makes sense for the Sounders to give Bowen a lot of run there with Tacoma this season.

• Pick Grade: B-

FULL DRAFT GRADE= B

While Seattle might not get 1,000+ minutes out of rookies this season, the Sounders picked up a lump of GAM and a couple of intriguing prospects. With a team that already has a lot of talent, that's not the worst thing in the world to walk out of the SuperDraft with.

I think Bjorgoffson will get a chance to earn minutes with the first team this year, and then Bowen will likely spent most (if not all) of 2023 with Tacoma.