James Owen

James Heward Owen

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 5", Weight 200 lb.
• School San Jose City College
• High School Pioneer High School
• Born October 12, 1952 in Arrington England

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Starting pitcher James Owen was drafted by the Texas Rangers third overall in the January 1972 amateur draft, two slots after pitcher Eric Raich. He played in the Rangers' system until 1974.

With the Greenville Rangers in 1972, he was 9-8 with seven complete games, a shutout and a 3.14 ERA in 22 starts. In 155 innings, he allowed only 133 hits, while walking 115 batters and striking out 146. He finished second in the Western Carolinas League in walks, behind Larry Demery's 119 and tied Rodney Davis for second in innings pitched, behind Don Kreke's 198. He was third in wild pitches (20) and 4th in strikeouts.

In 1973, Owen pitched for the Pittsfield Rangers and went 10-12 with six complete games and a 5.23 ERA in 27 games (25 starts), striking out 108 and walking 95 in 148 innings. He led the Eastern League in runs allowed (99, 2 ahead of Tom Hume) and earned runs (86, 3 ahead of Santo Alcala), tied for second in losses (with Rex Hudson, Pat Zachry and George Whileyman, behind Alcala and Scott McGregor), was 3rd in wild pitches (16), tied Jim Sadowski for 7th in walks, tied for 10th in wins. He pitched for Pittsfield again in 1974, going 6-8 with a 4.79 ERA in 26 games (14 starts).

Overall, Owen was 25-28 with a 4.32 ERA in 75 games (61 starts). He pitched 410 innings and allowed 402 hits and 282 walks, while striking out 314 batters and tossing 46 wild pitches. He had hit .115/.204/.122.