RUDY OWENS

12/18/87; '06 28th; Chandler-Gilbert (AZ) CC
L/L; 6-3, 215

Level
W-L-Sv
G
GS
IP
H
 HR
BB
K
 BB/9
K/9
WHIP
OAVG
ERA
2007 NJCAA
7-0-0
9
 
50.0
33
  
22
58
 4.0
10.4
1.10
 
1.08
2007 R
1-4-0
6
4
22.0
20
 1
8
17
 3.3
7.0
1.27
.238
5.32
2008 A-
3-6-0
15
13
58.0
63
2
13
45
2.0
7.0
1.31
.269
4.97
2009 A+
1-1-0
6
6
23.1
29
3
2
22
0.8
8.5
1.33
.305
3.86
2009 A
10-1-0
19
19
100.2
71
8
15
91
1.3
8.1
0.85
.197
1.70

Owens also played OF in HS. He was both Player and Pitcher of the Year in his Region, going 4-4, 0.89, with 86 Ks in 56 IP on the mound. He signed with Arizona State but went to Chandler-Gilbert CC and signed with the Pirates just before the DFE deadline. His JC ERA is a little misleading, as nearly two-thirds of the runs he allowed were unearned, but he obviously wasn't easy to hit. In the GCL he posted a poor ERA and weak K rate, although he didn't allow all that many baserunners. Owens spent 2008 in the State College rotation and was erratic. Overall he gave up a lot of hits and had a somewhat low K rate, but his control was very good and he kept the ball in the park. LH batters hit only .196 while RH batters hit .290.

In 2009, Owens had the biggest breakout in the system and one of the biggest anywhere in the minors. He was named South Atlantic League pitcher of the year. For long stretches he was almost impossible to score against, including one streak of 26 consecutive scoreless innings. Obviously, his numbers were outstanding across the board. The Pirates moved him up to Lynchburg late in the year. He continued to put up great BB and K numbers, but got hit harder. One factor may have been fatigue, he significantly exceeded his previous high inning total. By the time he reached high A, the Pirates were limiting his innings, which may also have reduced his effectiveness.  He was, however, outstanding in his two playoff starts, allowing two earned runs on eight hits and two walks in 12.1 IP, with 13 Ks. Owens throws in the upper-80s to low-90s, although he was clocked as high as 94. He locates his fastball very well and has an outstanding change, as well as a curve. The Pirates have been more aggressive in promoting players under their new management team, so it's conceivable they could move Owens up to AA to open 2010. Otherwise he'll return to high A, with the team's new affiliate in Bradenton.

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