Edison's Owens, Tustin's Harrison picked in MLB draft
Edison left-handed pitcher Henry Owens was selected by the Boston Red Sox and Tustin third baseman Travis Harrison was taken by the Minnesota Twins in the first supplemental round of the Major League Baseball draft Monday.
Owens, who went 12-1 this season for the Chargers, was taken 36th overall.
Harrison went 50th to the Minnesota Twins.
"I feel awesome. I'm excited," Harrison said. "It was looking like I was going to get pushed back to the second day."
Harrison's Tustin career puts him in the company of major league stars and former Tillers Shawn Green and Mark Grace. He finished his career with a .453 batting average, 33 home runs, 100 walks and 120 hits. He was walked 36 times this season.
Harrison is signed with USC. He said that becoming a Trojan is still Plan A until a deal is reached with the Twins.
"The opportunity to play Division 1 is awesome," Tustin coach Joe Secoda said. "Being a first-round supplemental pick, there isn't more room to grow and get higher."
Owens celebrated at his Huntington Beach home with dozens of friends and family members.
"I'm on Cloud Nine," Owens said. "It was a great moment in the backyard when I was drafted. Everyone started singing 'Sweet Caroline.'
"It's obviously the best moment of my life, and I'm just happy all my friends and family are here to see this."
Owens, who led Edison to the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals this season, will now have to choose between a full scholarship to play at Miami or sign a contract with the Red Sox.
"If it's going to be a fair deal, I'm going to go out and play (professionally)," Owens said. "I know the Red Sox are an incredible organization and they're not going to low-ball me. I'm just excited to see how it all plays out."
Teams have until Aug. 15 to finalize deals.
The draft resumes today at 9 a.m. with rounds 2-30 and concludes Wednesday with rounds 31-50. JSerra catcher Austin Hedges, whom some had projected would go in the first round, should be selected early today.
