The Pittsburgh Pirates have promoted third baseman Hunter Owen to Indianapolis. The 25-year-old Owen is hitting .298/.372/.570 in 67 games this season.
Owen was a 25th round pick in 2016. The Pirates had him moving around defensively his first year, but he has mostly been at third base over the last three seasons, with some tries in the outfield and as an emergency catcher as well. He has improved his defense over each season at third base, going from well below average in 2017 to average at this point. Owen has shown power throughout the minors, but that power has come with a lack of walks and too many strikeouts. The 17:73 BB/SO ratio this year still needs work, but he has been hitting the ball hard all season when he does make contact.
Owen leaves the Eastern League ranking second in average, seventh in OBP, second in slugging, third in OPS and first with 15 homers.
With Ke’Bryan Hayes out for an unknown time at this point, Owen could take over full-time at third base. He has also been taking some fly balls in the outfield, so that could be a possibility as well.
