Henry Owens

[StringerBell]

HO (heh heh) had been pretty shaky since given the Closer role. Last night he got the lucky win, and looked great in his inning of work. Although---the only guys he faced were Langerhans,Wilson and T Hudson, noy exactly murderers row.
Off the top of my head, I think he had 70 ks in 40 IP in AAA.

What are the chances that Owens settles down and keeps the closer role?

[pgmer123]

I am watching him closely. His minor league stats are great. He has great stuff. Mid 90 fastball and nasty splitter. His control was off the other night but he looked unhittable last night.

[pokerplaya]

HO (heh heh) had been pretty shaky since given the Closer role. Last night he got the lucky win, and looked great in his inning of work. Although---the only guys he faced were Langerhans,Wilson and T Hudson, noy exactly murderers row.
Off the top of my head, I think he had 70 ks in 40 IP in AAA.

What are the chances that Owens settles down and keeps the closer role?

It was AA. He didn't spend much time in AAA.

As to keeping the closers role, it depends on performance. If he blows a couple of saves, he will be removed quickly, but he can just as quickly solidify himself as the closer if he can string off a month or two without blowing any.

[WTP]

If Owens doesn't start striking people out, he's not going to last as a big league closer. Right now he has 5BB and 6K in 12.2IP--that's just not going to cut it. His other numbers look nice because he's been lucky on balls in play, but "it's better to be lucky than good" isn't really what you're looking for in a closer. I guess a 16+K/9 in AA isn't as special when you're 27.

I expect Taylor Tankersley to show he's a better pitcher than Owens, and take over in the next month or so. He's already got experience closing, and he's a much safer bet long-term to succeed. Owens' luck will run out before too long.