Possible Mets 3rd Rd. Pick - SS - Chris Owings

Chris Owings, SS, Gilbert HS (SC) - 5-11, 170… R/R…

good swing… above-average speed… small frame… for season: .400, 22 SB…

5/23 from BA: A South Carolina signee and the best prep hitter in the Palmetto State, Owings elicits a mixed reaction from scouts and college recruiters. For some, he evokes Gordon Beckham, the former Georgia All-American and No. 8 overall pick in 2008. Those who like Owings see strength in his forearms and some real juice in his bat, to go with average other tools across the board with a plus run tool. Others see tools but less feel for the game than Beckham displayed, and disagree with the rosy projections on Owings' power. In a year with few position players moving up boards, Owings has a chance to move into the second round, if not a bit higher.

Fr. www.mlb.com - Hitting ability: Owings has a good swing and should have the chance to hit for average at the next level. He's short to the ball and uses the whole field well.
Power: He can apply force to his swing, but he doesn't have a ton of strength, so he's got well below-average power, especially with wood.
Running speed: Has above-average speed.
Base running: Steals some bases now, but it probably won't be part of his game in the future.
Arm strength: His arm plays OK now because he plays a shallow shortstop, but on a bigger field, he may not have enough arm to stay at the position.
Fielding: Not a natural defender at short, he might be better suited to play second base.

Fr. www.gamecockonline.com - Chris Owings - SS - Leesville, S.C. (Gilbert HS)
- 2008 South Carolina AA Player of the Year
- 2006, 2007 & 2008 South Carolina AA All-State team
- Rated No. 1 best high school player in the state of South Carolina by Diamond Prospects
- Rated No. 119 best high school player in the country by PG Crosschecker as well as the No. 4 best high school player in the state of South Carolina
- Played on 2008 17-U Diamond Devils summer team that won the 17-U World Wood Bat Association National Championships as well as the Continental Amateur Baseball Association 18-U Wood Bat World Series
- Helped lead Gilbert to 2006 and 2008 South Carolina AA state championships as a freshman and a junior
- Hit .488 as a junior with 12 doubles, four triples, four HR and 30 RBI
Coach Tanner comment - "Chris is a very talented shortstop. He has the ability to be a special player for the Gamecocks. He is equally impressive offensively and defensively."