The Texas Rangers announced Josh Owens as a two-way player.
That's notable, because if they had no plans at all to let him continue his doubling-up on the diamond, they could've just said he was an outfielder.
MLB.com writes that Owens has "more upside as a position player." But he has also pitched for the 18-U U.S. national team and hits 92 miles per hour on his fastball, so maybe he'll keep pitching for a bit, too.
The Rangers have no need to rush the high schooler out of Providence Academy in Tennessee, who they chose with the No. 84 overall pick as part of the MLB Draft's third round.
"He won two games on the mound and also played some left field for the U.S. national team that earned a gold medal at the 18-and-under World Cup qualifier in Panama last August," MLB.com writes. "Owens presently is a hit-over-power guy but should have more pop as he fills out his projectable 6-foot-3 frame. He'll flash the ability to drive balls in the air with his left-handed stroke and should do so more frequently as he gets stronger. For now, he focuses on making contact with a calm setup and a slight crouch at the plate. Owens features plus-plus speed and uses it to get on base and create havoc when he does."
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It does sound like if you had to pick, Owens would end up in the outfield.
Especially at 6-foot-3 and with a lefty swing to go with his speed, that's a great combination.
But don't count out the allure of a two-way guy.
Besides, the longer the Rangers stick with it, the more paths they have to take to try and maximize the usage of their third-round pick. Even if his development stalls at one skill, it may keep rolling with the other.
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