An annual tradition conducted by the Philadelphia Phillies is naming the winners of the Paul Owens award. Named after Paul “Pope” Owens, former Phillies manager and GM, the award goes to the best pitcher and hitter in the minor leagues for a given season. Owens was the Phillies GM for their 1980 World Series team and the 1983 National League championship team manager.
Phillies announce Paul Owens Award Winners
The 2022 award winners were announced, and the winners were announced on Tuesday afternoon. 1B/DH Darick Hall and P Andrew Painter are this year’s recipients of the Paul Owens award.
Darick Hall
Darick Hall was announced as one of the two winners of this year’s award. Hall has been having a season of a lifetime, batting .252/ .326/ .529/ .855 with the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs in 93 games this year. Hall, of course, spent time with the Phillies and made an immediate impact when called up to the big leagues. In AAA, Darick has hit 26 home runs, 22 doubles, and driven in 83 RBIs. If he had played an entire season, there is no doubt he could have hit 35 home runs and driven in over 100 runs batted in while with the Iron Pigs.
Other Phillies offensive players who won this honor in past seasons include Bryson Stott, Alec Bohm, Rhys Hoskins, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins.
Andrew Painter
If you aren’t familiar with the name Andrew Painter, it is time to learn about the best arm in the Phillies farm system. Painter is the Phillies’ 2021 first-round pick from the Amateur Draft. Andrew has quickly risen through the minor leagues and has already made his way to Double-A Reading. Painter is just 19 years old and is the talk of the baseball prospect world. His numbers in the minor leagues have been fantastic. In 22 starts across 3 levels of play, he has a 6-2 record with a 1.56 earned run average. Painter has pitched 103 2/3 innings and has struck out 155 batters. His K/9 rate is 13.5 and has the potential to become an ace for this club for a long time. Andrew Painter will more than likely start 2023 in the minor leagues, but if he continues to pitch well and there is a need, Dave Dombrowski has already said he will not hesitate to promote Painter to the Phillies.
Other Phillies minor league pitchers who have won the Paul Owens award include Cole Hamels, Ryan Madson, J.A. Happ, and Rickey Bottalico.
AP Photo/Matt Slocum
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