Chris Owings

Christopher Scott Owings

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 180 lb.
• High School Gilbert (SC) High School
• Debut September 3, 2013

• Born August 12, 1991 in Charleston, SC USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Shortstop Chris Owings was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the supplemental first round of the 2009 amateur draft. He was signed by scout George Swain for a reported $950,000 and made his pro debut that year with the Missoula Osprey, hitting .306 in 24 games. With the South Bend Silver Hawks the following summer, he hit .298 with 5 home runs, and in 2011, he posted a .246 average to go along with 11 homers and 50 RBI. Back with Visalia to begin 2012, he hit .324 with 11 homers in 59 games before being promoted to the AA Mobile Bay Bears. In 69 games with Mobile, he posted a .263 average and 6 home runs. In 2013, he had a great season for the Reno Aces of the Pacific Coast League, hitting .330/.359/.482 in 125 games, scoring 104 runs and driving in 81 while banging out 31 doubles, 8 triples and 12 homers. He was named the PCL MVP and earned a promotion to the major league Diamondbacks in September. He played 20 games in Arizona, hitting .291/.361/.382.

The Diamondbacks had acquired Didi Gregorius in a big trade before the 2013 season, and had presented him as their shortstop of the future, but Owings' emergence as a top prospect changed all that. It was Chris who was the starter when the D-Backs opened the 2014 season in Sydney, Australia on March 22nd. While he went hitless in that game and gave way to Gregorius the next day, he started regularly as soon as the team moved stateside, and although the Diamondbacks struggled badly in April, he was one of the few bright lights for the team. He went 26 for 83 (.313) and also swiped 4 bases and scored 7 runs to be named the National League Rookie of the Month.

Owings' brother Connor Owings, was named 2016 Big South Conference player of the year, led Coastal Carolina University to the 2016 College World Series and was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 34th round of the 2016 amateur draft.

Notable Achievements

• 2013 MVP Pacific Coast League Reno Aces
• NL Triples Leader (2016)

Related Sites

• Chris Owings on mlb.com
• BR Minors page