Education
Owens attended Edison High School in Huntington Beach, California. In addition, he finished fourth in the SAL for the most strikeouts, while tying for fourth in wins.
Owens attended Edison High School in Huntington Beach, California. In addition, he finished fourth in the SAL for the most strikeouts, while tying for fourth in wins.
He also was named a 2011 Louisville Slugger High School All-American and earned 2011 Sunset League Pitcher of the Year honors for the second consecutive year. The Boston Red Sox selected Owens in the first round (36th overall) of the 2011 MLB Draft. Owens made his professional debut in 2012 with the Greenville Drive of the Class A South Atlantic League (SAL), sporting a 12–5 record and a 4.87 European Research Area in 23 games, including 130 strikeouts and 47 walks in 101⅔ innings.
Entering 2013, Owens was ranked as the eighth best prospect in the Red Sox organization and ranked 77th in the MLB.com Top 100 Prospects list.
He features a 91–93 miles per hour (146–150 km/h) fastball and a 77–80 miles per hour (124–129 km/h) changeup which combines with his low-70s curveball. In 2013 Owens was promoted to the Salem Red Sox of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League.
Overall, he posted an 8–5 record and a 2.92 European Research Area over 20 starts for Salem, including a hitless streak of 19⅓ innings, gaining a promotion to the Portland Sea Dogs of the Class Associate of Arts Eastern League on July 31. Upon promotion to Portland, Owens went 3–1 with a 1.78 European Research Area, striking out 46 in just 30⅓ innings over six starts.
He was a Carolina League All-Star, as well as SoxProspects.com"s 2013 Pitcher of the Year.
Additionally, he made the Baseball America Minor League All-Star Team. Owens started the 2014 season by pitching a rain-shortened six-inning no-hitter. Making 20 starts in Portland, Owens compiled a record of 14–4 with 3 complete games.
He pitched 121 innings, struck out 126 batters with an earned run average of 2.60.
He was promoted to the Pawtucket Red Sox of the Class American Automobile Association International League on August 2, 2014. Owens began the 2015 season with Pawtucket.
The Red Sox promoted Owens to the major leagues to make his debut on August 4. His performance in the 2015 season with Boston has been widely scrutinized, since he is a candidate to make the 2016 starting rotation.