Boston Red Sox promote pitching prospect Henry Owens

The Boston Red Sox will promote left-handed pitching prospect Henry Owens to the major league roster. He will make his major league debut on Tuesday against the New York Yankees in Yankee Stadium.

Owens was drafted by Boston in the supplemental first round in 2011 from high school in Huntington Beach, California. His trek through the organization was steady and successful and he's performed quite well in high minors. In 2014 he posted a combined 2.94 ERA in 159 innings divided between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket with a 170/59 K/BB. He has spent all of 2015 with Pawtucket, producing a 3.16 ERA in 122 innings with a 103/56 K/BB and just 84 hits allowed.

He has been particularly sharp recently, with a 34/8 K/BB in 32 innings over five July starts with a 2.84 ERA.

Owens is a 6-6, 220 pound southpaw born July 21, 1992. His arsenal consists of a fastball in the 88-92 range, peaking at 93-94 when he pushes for extra velocity. The fastball works well even at the lower velocity notches because he mixes it efficiently with an above-average change-up and a decent breaking ball. Although he occasionally struggles with his command, his feel for pitching is considered quite strong in general. He's shown he can adjust and make positive changes when things aren't going well.

He has held up well to a professional workload and has no history of significant arm injury. Overall, Owens projects as a number three starter though he'll likely need adjustment time to get there.