Pitcher J.A. Happ, and catcher Lou Marson have been named the 2008 recipients of the Paul Owens Award. The award, named after the great Phillies general manager who was the architect behind the dominant Phillies teams in the 1970’s as well as the 1980 World Champions, is an honor given to the Phillies top minor league pitcher and position player in the organization.

Happ went 8-7 for the Triple A, Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. He struck out 151 (in 135 innings), while walking 48, with a 3.60 ERA. He also spent some time with the Phillies this season when Brett Myers was sent to the minors. He went 0-0 with a 5.14 ERA, but will be remembered for matching Johan Santana though five innings on July 4th, where he allowed two runs on three hits, as the Phillies beat the Mets 3-2. Management was trying to find room for Happ in the rotation after Myers returned. Should Kyle Kendrick continue to struggle, Happ could find himself in the Phillies rotation next season.

No Phillies prospect rose more this season than Marson. The team’s seventh ranked prospect entering the season, Marson raked in Double A hitting .314 with 5 home runs and 46 RBI’s, on his way to an accolade-filled year.  Marson represented the Phillies in the XM All-Star Futures Games (one of five Phillies), and represented the United States as the starting catcher for Team USA at this year’s Summer Olympics. Marson is currently the fourth best catching prospect in baseball, and is penciled is as the Phillies full time catcher as early as 2009.

Prior Owens Award winners include Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, Jimmy Rollins, and Pat Burrell.