Phils announce Listi and Parkinson as Paul Owens Award winners.

Austin Listi, image- Jay Floyd

On Monday the Phillies announced that outfielder/first baseman Austin Listi and starting pitcher David Parkinson have been named the organizations top minor league performers and earned this year's Paul Owens Award.

Instituted in 1986, the Paul Owens Award is named after the man who spent 48 years in the Phillies organization as a scout, farm director, general manager, manager and senior advisor. The award is given to the organization's most outstanding minor league position player and most outstanding minor league pitcher each season.

Listi, 24, was a 17th round draft selection last year out of Dallas Baptist. This year, in his first full season as a pro, the righty batter opened the campaign with Class A Advanced Clearwater. In 58 games with the Threshers, Listi tallied a .344 average with nine home runs and 45 RBI. Promoted to Double-A Reading in mid-June, List would notch a .281 average with nine home runs and 39 RBI in 65 games there.

Overall, Listi led all Phillies minor leaguers in OPS this year with a .915 mark.

Set to play in the prestigious Arizona Fall League this off-season, Listi was stunned by the news about the award.

"When I got the call that I received the award I was blown away," Listi said. "I am humbled and honored to receive it. All glory to God for sure."

Speaking on his overall experience just one year removed from the MLB amateur draft, Listi described his season as enjoyable.

"I had a ton of fun and learned a lot this season. I enjoyed the grind and enjoyed my teammates and coaches. I’m happy that my family gets to be involved in everything I do, it makes everything that much more special," Listi stated.

Parkinson, 22, was the Phils' 12th round draft selection last year out of Mississippi. He opened the 2018 with Class A Lakewood where he sported an 8-1 record with a 1.51 ERA and a .210 batting average against. Late in the season, the lefty was promoted to Clearwater where he put together a 3-0 record, a 1.24 ERA and a .175 ERA in five outings. His 1.45 ERA was best in the Phils developmental ranks.

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