Sun-Times article on Jerry Owens

[SSH2005]

http://suntimes.com/output/sox/cst-spt-owens06.html

Sox keep eyes on Owens

 

February 6, 2006

BY JOSE OROZCO Special to the Chicago Sun-Times

 

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Going into the Venezuelan winter-league season, White Sox prospect Jerry Owens set modest goals.

 

''I wanted to further my baseball knowledge and learn more about me as a player,'' Owens said.

 

Owens did all that -- and then some. After leading the league with a .356 average for two months, Owens headed home to California early, having earned a spot on the Sox' 40-man roster.

 

Andy Tomberlin, Owens' hitting coach with the La Guaira Sharks -- Ozzie Guillen's old team and a new destination for Sox prospects -- missed the 24-year-old left-handed hitter dearly.

 

''He has a special talent,'' said Tomberlin, who will be the new hitting coach at Class AA Birmingham this year. ''The gift he has -- you can't teach his eye and hand coordination.''

 

That talent enabled Owens to win the Southern League batting title with a .331 average at Birmingham before heading to winter ball. With Aaron Rowand getting traded to Philadelphia and unproven Brian Anderson the expected starter in center field, Owens has a solid shot at making the Sox roster.

 

''There's pop in that bat,'' Tomberlin said. ''He's a line-drive gap hitter. [but] speed is his major asset.''

 

Owens, acquired from the Washington Nationals last February for outfielder Alex Escobar, spent two years at UCLA, where he was a wide receiver on the Bruins' football team.

 

''He has a lot of speed, but he needs to learn to steal bases,'' Sharks bench coach Omer Munoz said. ''He needs to learn to read the pitcher's wind-up, especially with lefties.''

 

After dropping baseball for football at UCLA, Owens has caught up fast. Drafted by the Montreal Expos in 2003, he has moved quickly through the minors, and Tomberlin figures he gained a year's worth of experience in winter ball.

 

''He has the potential to be a very good big-leaguer,'' Tomberlin said. ''He has [made up for lost time] because of his athletic ability and his intelligence. Based on experience and where he's at, he's ahead of the game. When he jumps in, he'll swim.''

 

Owens knows he has much to learn.

 

''One of my weaknesses is my overall baseball experience, my lack of at-bats,'' he said.

 

Another drawback is his defense. Owens hurt his arm when he played rookie-league ball with the Expos, and his throwing ability is considered below average.

 

''This has been the most important experience of my baseball career,'' Owens said of his time with the Sharks. ''I'm one step closer to the ultimate goal. I just need to stay on an even keel and continue working hard.''

Hmmm, maybe this should be in the FutureSox Board.

Edited February 6, 2006 by SSH2005