CGCC honors alumnus for major league debut

Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) baseball recognized alumnus and current Oakland Athletics pitcher Rudy Owens on Wednesday, February 11 at 2:45 p.m. on the college’s baseball field. A sign with Owens’ name will be hung on the outfield fence during a short pre-game ceremony in recognition of his major league debut and professional accomplishments.

Owens attended Mesa High School and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2006. Instead, he attended Chandler-Gilbert Community College and played the 2007 baseball season as a Coyote, signing with the Pirates the next year. He was named Pirate’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year for 2009 and 2010. He also was named Class-A All-Star, South Atlantic League (SAL) All-Star, and SAL Most Outstanding Pitcher in 2009 and Eastern League All-Star in 2010. The Pirates added him to their 40-man roster after the 2011 season. He was traded to the Astros in 2012 and played with the Oklahoma City Red Hawks, the Astros’ AAA affiliate, through 2013. On May 23, 2014, the Astros recalled Owens to make his Major League debut. He was outrighted off the roster in October and signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics in November 2014.

 “Rudy was an outstanding student-athlete at Chandler-Gilbert. He was great on the field and off the field. In his professional years he has been around our players offering advice on baseball and, more importantly, on life. He is a great Coyote.”