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Josh Owens brings rare two-way versatility to the Rangers system originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Since the arrival of Shohei Ohtani to MLB, he has inspired a new generation of players who want nothing more than to pitch and play a position when they aren't on the mound.
The problem here is that it is incredibly hard to be a two-way player at a high level in professional baseball. Pitching alone is nearly a full-time job, even if the starter gets one start a week.
However, baseball players are some of the best athletes around, and the younger guys are seemingly getting elite at a much younger age. So, why not take a chance on a two-way player at this point?
MORE: Rangers trade for Mets' 33-year-old OF has aged incredibly well so far in 2026
Josh Owens brings rare two-way versatility to the Rangers system
The Texas Rangers were intrigued by Josh Owen, a two-way high school athlete from Tennessee. They drafted him in the third round of the 2025 MLB Draft, and he is currently ranked as the club's No. 5 prospect.
Owens plays shortstop and is a right-handed pitcher. He has a great fastball that pairs nicely with his slider, and has a solid glove and bat as well.
He has the tools to be great for Texas, and Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter tags him as one of the best two-way prospects in baseball.
"With 50-grade power and the glove to stick at a middle infield spot as a position player, and an electric fastball-slider pairing on the mound that both profile as potential plus pitches. Owens is one of the best two-way prospects in baseball. A third-round pick in the 2025 draft, it will be interesting to see how the Rangers utilize him this season."
One thing that sets Owens apart, outside of his two-way presence, is his delivery on the mound. He has what some would call a reliever delivery, having an extremely low release height, which allows him to use heavy sink with his two-seam fastball.
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