With their third selection in the 2025 MLB Draft, the Texas Rangers chose high school infielder Josh Owens, using the 84th overall pick to bring in a promising young talent. Owens hails from Johnson City, Tennessee, and while he had previously committed to playing college ball at Georgia Southern, all signs now point to him likely signing with the Rangers and beginning his professional baseball journey.
Owens is a 6-foot-3, 185-pound left-handed hitter who played shortstop in high school but also showed his athletic versatility by participating in football and taking the mound as a pitcher. That multi-sport background speaks volumes about his raw athleticism and overall potential. Despite his lean frame, Owens already shows signs of developing power, and with pro-level training and nutrition, there’s a strong belief he’ll grow into more strength as he matures.
He also comes from a baseball family his father, Jeremy Owens, spent several years playing in the minor leagues. That kind of experience in the household often helps young players adjust more quickly to the demands of pro ball, both mentally and physically. Josh just turned 18 in January, so he’s still very early in his development with plenty of room to grow.
In our earlier pre-draft analysis, we noted that Owens has a lot of exciting traits: he’s tall and wiry, has above-average speed, swings from the left side with a smooth stroke, and brings real athleticism to the field. Although he didn’t have a heavy presence on the national travel circuit which sometimes means less exposure his tools and ceiling were more than enough to catch the Rangers’ attention. The comparison was even made to Evan Carter, another Tennessee native and multi-tool player who’s risen quickly through the Rangers’ system after being drafted in 2020.
Owens is expected to start his pro career at shortstop, but given his athleticism and speed, there’s a possibility he could also be tested out in center field down the road. That kind of positional flexibility adds extra value to his profile and gives the Rangers options as he develops.
And, on a more personal note from the writer: apologies for the delay in posting this update I dozed off early last night and am just now getting this write-up live. But better late than never, especially when it comes to a prospect as intriguing as Josh Owens. Keep an eye on this kid he’s got a ton of upside and could be a name Rangers fans are hearing a lot more about in the coming years.