Two of the Boston Red Sox’s most highly touted prospects have been selected to showcase their skills next month with the best the minor leagues have to offer.
Left-handed pitcher Henry Owens and second baseman/outfielder Mookie Betts were announced Tuesday as the Red Sox’s two representatives for the 2014 MLB Futures Game, which will be held at Minnesota’s Target Field as part of the All-Star Game festivities.
Betts has been a hitting machine for Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket this season, batting at a .346 clip with a .432 on-base percentage and .957 OPS in 74 games across the two levels. His transition away from the infield — he’s played center in 14 of his 20 games with the PawSox — has led many to see him as a possible option for a Red Sox outfield that is desperate for a spark.
Owens, meanwhile, has been lights-out on the mound at Double-A, posting a 9-3 record, 1.99 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 14 starts for the Sea Dogs. The 21-year-old has gone distance in three of those starts, including two complete-game shutouts.
MLB.com rates Owens as the Red Sox’s No. 1 prospect, with Betts checking in at No. 5.
Photos via Twitter/@BostonGlobe /@tpriddy
