Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Slider: 55 | Splitter: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

A 13th-round pick by the Braves in 2019 out of Trinity Catholic HS in Ocala, Fla., Owens signed for $547,500 but never really got going until '22 because of the pandemic and '21 arm issues. He first cracked Double-A working primarily as a reliever in 2023 and has played for three different organizations at that level, having been traded to Texas for J.P. Martínez in January 2024 and then to Detroit (along with Liam Hicks) for Carson Kelly at this past season's Deadline. Owens finished with a 2.96 ERA, 55 strikeouts and 16 walks in 51 2/3 Double-A innings last campaign, and those results were enough for the Tigers to protect him with a 40-man spot in his second year of Rule 5 eligibility.

Standing at just 5-foot-10, Owens doesn't have the look of a typical firebreathing reliever, but he cranked his fastball up to triple-digits this past season and typically sat 95-98 mph with good extension for his size. As much as he can jump on hitters with that heater, Owens used a hard 87-89 mph slider even more after his most recent trade, per Synergy Sports, and the development of that sharp, tight breaking ball likely played a role in Detroit's 40-man decision. He can drop an 86-88 mph splitter below the zone to elicit chase, but it can catch too much of the area too -- a reason why lefties enjoyed more success than their right-handed counterparts.

That speaks to Owens' control-over-command profile. He hasn't issued as many walks as you'd expect for a full-time Minor League reliever, but more disciplined hitters may take better advantage of his in-zone offerings. There's something to dream on with the fastball and slider, and that'll give Owens a chance to debut in The Show in his age-24 season in 2025.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

The final day of the 2019 Draft could end up having been very productive for the Braves, who went over slot to land a number of high school prospects, including Vaughn Grissom (Round 11), Jared Johnson (Round 14) and Owens, who went in the 13th round and signed for $547,500 out of Trinity Catholic HS in Ocala, Fla. After the 2020 season was wiped out due to the pandemic, the undersized righty missed a large chunk of the 2021 year with arm issues. He was healthy for all of 2022, primarily working out of relief, but he has since returned to the rotation during most of his stint with High-A Rome in 2023.

Strong, compact and athletic, Owens has always been a pitcher who has had a ton of arm strength. His stuff has ticked up as high as 98 mph as he has gotten accustomed to shorter stints. His slider has gotten a bit harder and sharper, with good short break, thrown in the low-to-mid-80s. He’s largely a fastball-slider guy now, though he has been working on his changeup.

A power pitcher, Owens has continued to pound the strike zone in 2023, halving his BB/9 total from the previous year through the season's first three-and-a-half months. The Braves have been impressed with his stuff upon returning to the rotation, although his fastball-slider combo could ultimately move him up through the system in a relief role.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

Day 3 of the 2019 Draft could end up being very productive for the Braves as they went over slot to bring in a number of high school prospects, including Vaughn Grissom (Round 11), Jared Johnson (Round 14) and Owens, who went in the 13th round and signed for $547,500. After not having a 2020 season due to the pandemic, the undersized right-hander missed a large chunk of the 2021 season with arm issues. He’s been healthy for all of 2022, and a move to the bullpen has helped his stuff tick upwards.

Owens is a strong, compact and athletic pitcher who has always had a ton of arm strength. Now in shorter stints, he throws his fastball up to 97 mph. His slider has gotten a bit harder and sharper, with good short break, thrown in the low-to-mid 80s. He’s largely a fastball-slider guy now, though he does continue to work on his changeup.

A power pitcher, Owens has always been a control-over-command type, one who has generally been around the strike zone. He doesn’t need pinpoint command in his new relief role, and as he continues to get used to it, he could start moving a bit faster through the system.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

According to the Draft rules, players taken after the 10th round can sign for up to $125,000 without it costing against a team’s bonus pool. The Braves saved pool money for Day 3 of the Draft in 2019, going over that slot several times. Those efforts have brought in a pair of Top 30 prospects: infielder Vaughn Grissom (taken in the 11th round) and Owens (who signed for $547,500) in round 13. The Florida high schooler pitched across two levels of Rookie ball during his pro debut and participated in instructional league play in 2020.

An undersized right-hander with a ton of arm strength, Owens is athletic and strong on the mound, bringing fastballs up to the mid-90s regularly and showing the ability to reach back for more on occasion. His slider has good short break to it, thrown in the low-to-mid 80s, with the chance for it to develop into an out pitch in time. He has some feel for his changeup with some fade, but he didn’t use it much in high school and it’s decidedly his third pitch.

While Owens tends to be around the strike zone, refinement of his command, along with that third pitch, will be key if he wants to remain a starter. At this stage in his development, there’s no reason for the Braves not to let him start so he can work on all of his pitches, but his power stuff could tick up if he moves to the bullpen.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

The Braves had some pool money left over as Day 3 of the 2019 Draft began, enabling them to go after some tough high school signs. They were able to sign shortstop Vaughn Grissom in the 11th round then went way over slot in the 13th, getting Owens to join the Braves for $547,500 rather than head to the University of Florida. The undersized right-hander with a ton of arm strength spent most of his pro debut in the Rookie-level Appalachian League.

Owens might be under six-feet tall, but he’s strong, compact and athletic on the mound. He was consistently up to 94-95 mph during his senior year of high school, occasionally cranking it up a bit higher. He complements it with a solid average slider that features good short break to it. He didn’t throw his changeup much in high school, but he’s shown some feel for the offspeed pitch with some fade.

For a power pitcher, Owens typically throws strikes, but he’ll definitely need to work on his overall command as he progresses, not surprising for a prep pitcher. Because of his size and power repertoire, some see a future in the bullpen for Owens, but there’s time before the Braves have to make that decision.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45

High school pitchers with premium arm strength always generate interest among scouts, especially in typical baseball hotbeds like Florida. But evaluators prefer to come in packages well above six feet tall. When a pitcher like Owens, who is 5-foot-10, can crank it up velocity-wise, the enthusiasm often comes with a bit more caution.

While Owens is undersized, he has compact strength and athleticism on the mound. And he has plenty of arm, consistently firing fastballs up to 94-95 mph this spring. He'll also flash a solid slider that has good short break and he even has some feel for a changeup with some fade, though he doesn't need to use it very often at his current level. Like with many high school pitchers, he's more control over command, though he tends to find the strike zone fairly consistently.

This is where the questions come in. With his size, scouts wonder if Owens will be durable enough to be a starter at the next level. His fastball-breaking ball combination likely would play up in a bullpen role, but high schoolers with reliever profiles are hard to place on a Draft board. If things don't work out for him this June, we may be talking about him again after three years pitching for the Florida Gators.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	11/19/2024	Detroit Tigers selected the contract of RHP Tyler Owens from Erie SeaWolves.
	08/02/2024	Erie SeaWolves activated RHP Tyler Owens.
	07/28/2024	Detroit Tigers traded C Carson Kelly to Texas Rangers for C Liam Hicks and RHP Tyler Owens.
	07/28/2024	RHP Tyler Owens assigned to Erie SeaWolves.
	05/28/2024	Frisco RoughRiders activated RHP Tyler Owens from the 7-day injured list.
	05/28/2024	Frisco RoughRiders activated RHP Tyler Owens from the 7-day injured list.
	05/07/2024	Frisco RoughRiders placed RHP Tyler Owens on the 7-day injured list.
	03/27/2024	RHP Tyler Owens assigned to Frisco RoughRiders.
	03/05/2024	RHP Tyler Owens assigned to Texas Rangers.
	01/26/2024	Texas Rangers traded CF J.P. Martínez to Atlanta Braves for RHP Tyler Owens.
	01/26/2024	RHP Tyler Owens roster status changed by Texas Rangers.
	09/19/2023	Mississippi Braves activated RHP Tyler Owens.
	09/19/2023	Mississippi Braves activated RHP Tyler Owens.
	09/12/2023	Mississippi Braves transferred RHP Tyler Owens to the Development List.
	07/14/2023	RHP Tyler Owens assigned to Mississippi Braves from Rome Braves.
	07/14/2023	Mississippi Braves activated RHP Tyler Owens.
	04/06/2023	RHP Tyler Owens assigned to Rome Braves.
	09/23/2021	Augusta GreenJackets activated RHP Tyler Owens from the 7-day injured list.
	09/23/2021	Augusta GreenJackets activated RHP Tyler Owens from the 7-day injured list.
	06/10/2021	Augusta GreenJackets placed RHP Tyler Owens on the 7-day injured list.
	05/04/2021	RHP Tyler Owens assigned to Augusta GreenJackets from Braves Organization.
	02/12/2021	RHP Tyler Owens assigned to Braves Organization.
	02/12/2021	RHP Tyler Owens assigned to Braves Organization.
	07/12/2019	RHP Tyler Owens assigned to Danville Braves from GCL Braves.
	07/12/2019	RHP Tyler Owens assigned to Danville Braves.
	06/20/2019	RHP Tyler Owens assigned to GCL Braves.
	06/14/2019	Atlanta Braves signed RHP Tyler Owens.