July Players of the Month: Daniel McGrath and Chris Owings

With the minor league season entering its final month, two older players in the high minors came away with Player and Pitcher of the Month honors for July. Pawtucket infielder (and occasional outfielder) Chris Owings (pictured, right) was the easy choice for Player of the Month in his first full month with the organization, while left-hander Daniel McGrath (pictured, below) of the Sea Dogs earned his first Pitcher of the Month honor in his seventh year in the system. Both are unranked, but both ran away with the honor as they put together special July performances.

Owings slashed .361/.418/.670 this month, leading the system in batting average and slugging percentage among hitters with more than 50 at-bats. The impressive slugging percentage was buoyed by an impressive eight home runs, pacing the system by three, with six of the round-trippers coming in consecutive games between July 20 and 26. He had 65 total bases, 14 more than the next closest Red Sox minor leaguer. The 27-year-old was designated for assignment by Kansas City after hitting .133/193/.222 in 135 at-bats in the majors this year, but he has done nothing but rake since signing a minor league deal on June 17 and joining Pawtucket. He has also played the corner outfield and second base, shortstop, and third base, providing positional versatility for the PawSox.

McGrath has had quite the breakout year in Portland. The 25-year old had a minuscule 0.25 ERA in 36 2/3 innings during July, allowing just one earned run to lead the system. McGrath's 0.90 WHIP was second in the system and his 35 punchouts was third, just two behind the pace set by Yusniel Padron-Artiles.  His only earned run allowed came on a solo home run in his final start of the month and he has been on an absolute tear over his last eight outings, with just 19 hits and one run allowed in 44 1/3 innings, dating back to June 21. McGrath, hailing from Australia, pitched to a 3.63 ERA and a .262 BAA in Portland during 2018 but he improved his full-season numbers to 1.73 and .190 during 2019. Although unranked now, he has reached the top 40 on the SoxProspects rankings... all the way back in 2013! Continued dominance of the type he displayed in July will likely lead to his return to the rankings.

Photo Credit: Chris Owings and Daniel McGrath by Kelly O'Connor

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