AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn left-handed pitcher Jack Owen has signed a free agent contract with the Oakland Athletics.
Owen becomes the sixth member of the 2021 team to enter professional baseball. Ryan Bliss, Richard Fitts, Tyler Miller and Steven Williams were drafted, while Cody Greenhill signed free agent contract earlier this week.
A native of Aliso Viejo, California, Owen made 43 career appearances and 30 starts in an Auburn uniform, posting an 11-10 record with a 4.26 ERA to go along with 165 strikeouts in 175.1 innings pitched.
After throwing mainly in the midweek as a freshman, Owen made the jump to Auburn's starting rotation as a sophomore and helped lead the Tigers to the College World Series for the first time in 22 years. The southpaw led the team with a 2.75 ERA and earned the start in the Auburn's College World Series opener vs. Mississippi State, allowing just one run in 5.0 innings.
Owen entered his senior season in 2021 as one of eight SEC pitchers with a career sub-4.00 ERA in 100.0 or more innings pitched. After missing non-conference play with an injury, he ultimately made 11 appearances and nine starts as a senior and led the team in strikeouts and innings pitched.