Red Sox prospect Henry Owens: I didn't deserve a September call-up

Boston Red Sox prospect Henry Owens doesn't begrudge the club for omitting his name from September's expanded roster, as the 22-year-old left-hander recently admitted his performance didn't warrant a cameo with the major-league squad.

"I haven't been throwing well, so I didn't really deserve it," Owens told MLB.com. "Maybe if I was pitching better or had a less amount of innings, I'd be up there. I'm proud of the fact that I've remained healthy and logged a lot of innings. Hopefully next year, I can pitch not only in September, but October as well."

Owens, the 36th overall pick in the 2011 draft, dominated at Double-A Portland this season, crafting a 2.60 ERA with a 25.6 percent strikeout rate in 20 starts before earning a promotion to Triple-A Pawtucket in August. The 6-foot-6 southpaw wasn't quite as effective in the International League, though, fashioning a 4.03 ERA in six starts albeit with an impressive 3.67 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

"I was definitely hoping I would get an opportunity, but it didn't come," said Owens. "I'm not disappointed. I'm not mad."

Owens boasts one of the best changeups in the minor leagues, and the young lefty should get a chance to compete for a job with the Red Sox in Spring Training.  

"I feel like all three of my pitches are ready to play at the next level," said Owens. "It's just a matter of executing and competing at the same time."