Henry Owens

After receiving callups to Boston in 2015 and 2016, Owens spent all of 2017 in the minors, splitting his time between Double-A and Triple-A as he walked batters at an alarming clip at both levels (115 walks in 126 innings). Now 25, the 6-foot-6 left-hander has struggled to throw strikes through the last three seasons, after rising through the ranks as one of Boston's top pitching prospects from 2012-2014. The Red Sox exposed Owens to waivers in December, and he was claimed by the Diamondbacks and then the Dodgers after Arizona tried to sneak him through waivers. He seems destined to get a look as a reliever, where his fastball velocity will increase, and he can shorten up his repertoire. In order to succeed, Owens needs to become more consistent with his delivery to reduce the free passes, but he's an interesting lottery ticket for the Dodgers as they look to work their magic on the once-promising southpaw.

Owens entered spring training with a reasonable shot at winning the spot in Boston's rotation that eventually went to Steven Wright. He earned consideration based on improved command during the second half of 2015 at Triple-A Pawtucket and an encouraging cameo for Boston late in the season, but he didn't pitch well in spring and was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket, where he could serve as a potential callup for a spot start. Despite walking everyone in the International League, the Red Sox needed him for three-start stretch in April and May, which didn't go well. He had another two starts later in the season, finishing with a 6.95 ERA and an unsightly 8.2 BB/9. Unshakable control issues have tarnished whatever prospect sheen he once had. He now has 16 starts on his MLB resume which also includes a 5.19 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. The Red Sox hope he can be salvaged, but they're not counting on him in 2017.

Despite twice being a top-50 prospect, Owens has never had a ton of hype in the fantasy community. Owens deserves attention. The lefty put up a 9.9 K/9 in 518 minor league IP, but a 4.0 BB/9 identifies his biggest flaw. His fantastic changeup and solid curveball help him to succeed with just average velo (90-92 mph). The change limits righties and will be a true strikeout weapon as he develops. His high fastball is behind the walk issue. He threw it in the upper third of the zone 42 percent of the time, second-most among 53 lefties with 10-plus starts (Bumgarner, 50 percent). Of the top quartile in that group (a 35-percent rate or higher), his velo and strikeout rate were lowest with OPS and walk rate that were the highest. The easiest first step would be more first-pitch strikes. His 44 percent mark with the fastball was third-worst among 187 pitchers with 10-plus starts. A worthy flier.

Owens entered the 2014 season ranked as one of the best pitching prospects in baseball, and he did nothing to diminish his status. He immediately made an impression when he pitched a rain-shortened, six-inning no hitter in his first start of the season. Owens dominated the Double-A Eastern League, striking out more than a batter per inning and limiting opponents to a .201 average. He has a recurring problem with wildness, but those bouts are fewer these days and he reduced his walk rate over the course of the season. The lefty made his Triple-A debut in August, tossing 6.2 shutout innings, but overall the hitters at the advanced level challenged him. The Red Sox don't have to add him to the 40-man roster until after the season, so they won't be rushing him to the majors in 2015, unless he forces the issue. To do that, he'll need to become more consistent, particularly with his fastball command.

Owens is a fast-rising prospect, who dominated the High-A Carolina League before earning a promotion to Double-A Portland, where he was equally impressive against more advanced hitters. The tall lefty struck batters out at an 11.3 K/9 clip while limiting opponents to a .177 batting average. Owens was ranked 91 on Baseball America's top 100 prospects list entering the season and will surely ascend those rankings based on his performance in 2013. He's not overpowering -- the fastball ranges between the high-80s and low-90s -- and it tends to lose velocity over the course of games and the season. Walks are still an issue for him and he needs to control the fastball better. His changeup is considered the best offering while his curve, which he can consistently drop in for strikes, lost some velocity over the season. He'll join the major league training camp as a non-roster invite and should open the season in Maine with a promotion to Triple-A a real possibility.

Owens had a strong start to his professional career with Low-A Greenville last season. In 101.2 innings, he posted 12 wins (tops in the Red Sox system) with a 4.87 ERA and an excellent 11.5 K/9. His season ERA was definitely bloated as shown by his 3.49 FIP. A 6-foot-6 left-hander, Owens' strikeout arsenal consists of a fastball, a very good changeup and steady breaking pitches. His productive year in 2012 should lead to him starting 2013 at High-A as one of the brighter pitching prospects in the Red Sox's farm system.

Owens, a 6-7 left-hander, has the pitches to get by in the lower level of the minors, but ultimately it's the command of his fastball that will dictate his success at the upper levels. Owens has a good curve ball and a developing changeup. Like many tall pitchers, consistent mechanics will be the challenge in 2012.