Arizona starting pitcher Micah Owings has gotten his career kicked off in a decent fashion. At 25 years old, he is entering his 2nd season at the Major League level and has won 13 games with 9 losses.
A college boy, Owings attended Georgia Tech in 2003 then transferred to Tulane University in 2004. He had to wait a year per NCAA rules after a transfer, but picked up the ball again in 2005 for Tulane. He was selected by the Diamondbacks in 2005 and signed with them thus ending his collegiate career.
Owings continued to pitch well once in the Diamondbacks organization. Here's a look at this numbers since college:
| Year | Level | W | L | IP | ER | H | BB | K | ERA | WHIP |
| 2003 | GT | 9 | 3 | 88.0 | 39 | 84 | 21 | 58 | 3.99 | 1.19 |
| 2005 | TU | 12 | 4 | 129.2 | 47 | 111 | 25 | 135 | 3.26 | 1.05 |
| 2005 | A+ | 1 | 1 | 22.0 | 6 | 17 | 4 | 30 | 2.45 | 0.95 |
| 2006 | 2A/3A | 16 | 2 | 162.0 | 60 | 162 | 51 | 130 | 3.33 | 1.31 |
| 2007 | AAA | 0 | 0 | 5.0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 0.00 | 1.00 |
| 2007 | MLB | 8 | 8 | 152.2 | 73 | 146 | 50 | 106 | 4.30 | 1.28 |
| 2008 | MLB | 5 | 1 | 49.2 | 21 | 41 | 16 | 42 | 3.81 | 1.15 |
So what you say? I agree, his pitching has been just fine, but nothing that would make you run out and buy his rookie card.
As my headline suggests, there is more to Owings than his arm. Owings can hit too.
There have been many pitchers that could hit a bit. Yankees fans, you might remember Rick Rhoden was used as a DH. Tim Wakefield was a star shortstop in high school and started his pro career as a shortstop, although his batting record in the majors is...bad.
Wes Ferrell is probably the best hitting pitcher not named Babe Ruth. Ferrell put up .280/.351/.446 numbers in his 15 season career. He was an ok pitcher too.
We all recognize Ruth as the best hitting pitcher of all time. Because of his hitting talent, he stopped pitching as it was best to get him in there everyday. I do wonder how long and how well he'd have lasted had he pitched and played OF on his "off-days."
Back to Owings. In just 2 season at the Major League level, Owings has opened eyes with his hitting. Check these results out at the MLB level: .341/.372/.636/1.008. Sample size you yell! Ok, how does 95 plate appearances sound?
Fluke! you yell. Fine, check out his minor league numbers: .371/.375/.516/.891 in 66 PAs.
Where does this come from? Check out his career numbers at the plate including college:
| Year | Level | G | AB | R | H | HR | RBI | .Avg | .Obp | Slg. | OPS |
| 2003 | GT | 57 | 209 | 43 | 64 | 15 | 42 | .306 | .392 | .593 | .985 |
| 2005 | TU | 64 | 217 | 61 | 77 | 18 | 63 | .355 | .470 | .719 | 1.189 |
| 2005 | A+ | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 2.000 |
| 2006 | 2A/3A | 25 | 59 | 9 | 21 | 1 | 13 | .356 | .361 | .508 | .869 |
| 2007 | AAA | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .500 | .500 | 1.000 |
| 2007 | MLB | 34 | 60 | 9 | 20 | 4 | 15 | .333 | .349 | .683 | 1.032 |
| 2008 | MLB | 15 | 28 | 5 | 10 | 1 | 3 | .357 | .419 | .536 | .955 |
| Totals | | 197 | 576 | 127 | 194 | 39 | 137 | .337 | - | - | - |
Micah Owings can hit. I don't care what his college numbers were so much as how good he has been as a professional. I dare you to find me a pitcher who has put up such batting numbers in a large a sample size at the pro level that didn't become a star.
I did think of one: Rick Ankiel. While he is not a star, he could always hit and for a while could really pitch. After a "serenity now!" her dropped the pitching thing and his now starting OF for the Cardinals. Not bad. But even his "total numbers" which include time as a starting OF, he doesn't quite compare to Owings.
Owings is putting up numbers that are amazing. He his getting on base (mostly via the hit) and hitting for power. I challenge the Arizona Diamondbacks to give this kid regular PT as a batter. Heck, you can use the offense, who couldn't?
While his pitching numbers have been good, I think Owings might better help a team with his bat.