The Phillies have selected first baseman/outfielder Austin Listi and left-handed pitcher David Parkinson as the recipients of the 2018 Paul Owens Award, presented annually to the organization's top minor league player and pitcher.
Listi, 24, batted .312 (133-426) with 25 doubles, one triple, 18 home runs, 84 RBI, 63 runs scored and 62 walks in 123 combined games between single-A Clearwater and double-A Reading in 2018. He also posted a .412 on-base percentage with a .502 slugging percentage. Earlier in the season, he collected two hits and three RBI in the Florida State League All-Star Game. The right-handed slugger reached base safely in 23 consecutive games (.500 OBP) from April 25-May 19 when he was playing for Clearwater. While at Reading, Listi posted a 16-game hitting streak (.387 AVG) from June 26-July 14, which was tied for the third-longest hitting streak in the Eastern League. Among all Phillies minor leaguers, he finished second in RBI and third in batting average this season. Additionally, he is the first Phillies minor leaguer since 2008 (Michael Taylor) to post a season slash line better than .310/.410/.500 (minimum 500 plate appearances). A native of Huffman, Texas, he was selected by the Phillies in the 17th round of the June 2017 draft out of Dallas Baptist University.
Parkinson posted a 1.45 ERA (20 ER, 124.1 IP), which was the lowest mark among all qualifying pitchers in Minor League Baseball during the 2018 season. The 22-year-old is the second Phillies minor leaguer to have the best ERA across the minors in one of the last three seasons (also: RHP Sixto Sanchez, 0.50 ERA in 2016). In 22 combined games (21 starts) between single-A Lakewood and Clearwater, Parkinson went 11-1 with 141 strikeouts, posted a 1.01 WHIP (91 H & 35 BB) and held opponents to a .202 batting average. From May 14-June 25, he logged a 34.0-inning streak in which he did not allow an earned run. The lefty from Henrico, Va., finished the season with the second-most strikeouts among all Phillies minor league pitchers and was tied for second in wins. Twice named South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week this season, he was selected by the Phillies in the 12th round of the June 2017 draft out of the University of Mississippi.
"Austin and David both had incredible seasons in 2018," assistant general manager Bryan Minniti said. "Austin opened everyone's eyes with his offensive output, and he has a bright future in this game. David's competitiveness and ability to miss bats led to dominating performances at both Lakewood and Clearwater, which proved to be integral to both teams reaching the playoffs this year."
The Paul Owens Award was instituted in 1986 and is named for the late Paul Owens, who spent 48 years in the Phillies organization as a scout, farm director, general manager, manager and senior advisor. The players will receive their awards on the field on Sept. 28, prior to the Phillies' 7:05 p.m. game against the Atlanta Braves.