Clay Owens

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #342 prospect in 2020 draft
  Owens was considered one of the top prep hitters on the west coast at Norco (Calif.) High and cemented that reputation at USC. A draft-eligible sophomore, Owens was the only freshman to make the Pac-12 all-conference team last year and led the Trojans in slugging percentage (.577) this spring before the season shut down. Owens is a strong, physical lefthanded hitter who projects to hit for both average and power. He tracks pitches well, makes good swing decisions and has a sound swing that produces hard contact in the air. Owens is a consensus above-average hitter who can drive balls over the fence to both center and right field, projecting for average power overall. No one doubts Owens’ bat, but he’s a question mark defensively. He’s a poor runner with a below-average arm and is strictly limited to first base or designated hitter. He’s better off at DH than he is at first base. Owens’ lack of a position puts a lot of pressure on his bat, but he may be a good enough hitter to make it work.
• Ranked #447 prospect in 2018 draft
  Owens took advantage of playing in the Big VIII League with Brice Turang for four years and mashed in front of evaluators, becoming a sought-after prospect in his own right. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Owens hit .415 with a 1.159 OPS this spring playing in the highest division of Southern California baseball, which followed solid showings on the summer showcase circuit. Owens' bat is his main asset. He handles velocity, shows advanced hitting instincts and consistently impacts the ball to grade as a potential above-average hitter with average power. Owens' lack of defensive position complicates things. He is too stiff to catch, his below-average arm doesn't work at third base and he is a poor runner too slow to play the outfield. Owens is limited to first base at higher levels, which puts extra pressure on his bat. He is committed to Southern California but is considered signable.