MiLB Dodgers UFO’s
I am not sure they should be called UFO’s but on the other hand undrafted free agents are somewhat like unidentified flying objects. They don’t get any attention during the annual MLB draft but all of a sudden make an appearance when we least expect it. Following the 2021 First-Year Player Draft, in which the Dodgers selected 19 players of whom 12 have been signed, they have signed seven UFO’s.
I am not sure they should be called UFO’s but on the other hand undrafted free agents are somewhat like unidentified flying objects. They don’t get any attention during the annual MLB draft but all of a sudden make an appearance when we least expect it.
Following the 2021 First-Year Player Draft, in which the Dodgers selected 19 players of whom 12 have been signed, they have signed seven UFO’s. (The deadline to sign 2021 draft picks is 2 p.m. PT on Sunday, August 1.)
Of note, the Angels have signed 21 undrafted free agents which by far the most signed by any MLB team. The Phillies are second with ten signings. The Dodgers currently are fourth.
The Dodgers most recent UFO signing is outfielder Gaige Howard who is a 2021 Southland Baseball All-Academic Second Team majoring in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration at New Orleans University.
Howard was born in Carlsbad, California and attended high school at Santa Fe Christian in Solana Beach. Following graduation from high school he headed off to Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio for one year. From there he returned to California in 2018 and attended Cabrillo College, a community college in Aptos.
For the next three years he studied at the University of New Orleans and played baseball with the Privateers. Current Tulsa Driller, left-hander Bryan Warzek, is also a graduate from the baseball program at UNO. He graduated from New Orleans one year before Howard came on board.
With the Privateers Howard played 70 games posting a triple slash of.307/.422/.385 and an OPS of .803. He struck out 33 times and walked 48 times.
Howard, now 23, is a 6’1”/220-lb. left-handed hitter who throws right. Undrafted, I expect he did not know what his baseball future would hold, until three days ago. However, he had not given up on his dream.
“I’m really excited to be a Dodger,” said Howard. “Being able to play professionally is something I dreamed about since I was a little kid and I can’t wait for the opportunity to get to work.”
He feels he made a good choice in transferring to New Orleans and certainly earned his stripes. Like current OKC Dodger, Zach Reks , Howard earned a spot on the Privateers roster as a walk-on. Reks had a similar story with Kentucky.
“I’m thankful I got the opportunity to play at UNO and at a high level because it taught me a lot about how to improve my game and make great relationships with teammates. I’m really grateful to have had Coach Dean who gave me the opportunity to walk on and earn my role. He’s always been in my corner and has taught me a lot about the game and how to be a professional.”
In his Privateer career, Howard had a .422 on-base percentage. During his first season, he hit .330 and was third team All-Southland. Howard also landed on the Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award Watch List twice.
“Gaige is someone we gave a chance to and he took advantage of it,” said head coach Blake Dean. “He worked relentlessly and I’m glad to see him get an opportunity at the next level. I know he will continue to strive to be the best he can.”
Welcome aboard Gaige.
We have another rainy day so outside work for me is rained out and Elaine has taken a friend for a medical appointment in the city so I will briefly introduce another UFO.
This UFO is perhaps my favorite so far but with bias. He is a Canadian boy from Barrie, Ontario. Having gone undrafted he is not a Larry Walker, Joey Votto, Russell Martin or Eric Gagne. However, Russell and Eric had slow starts so who knows.
As mentioned, catcher/infielder Max Hewitt was born and raised in the Barrie area of Ontario. He began playing T-ball at age five and finished his college career at Oklahoma State University.
Hewitt graduated from Eastview High School in Barrie in 2015 and for a year really had no baseball offers. That did not deter him as he trained and because of his age he was still eligible to play travel ball. During that gap year, he continued training in Toronto and also in New Lowell at Smith Brothers Baseball Central. New Lowell is a small town in Ontario.
In November of 2015 he did get a call. It was from Connors State College in Warner, Oklahoma, inviting him for a visit. Playing as an infielder he slash line was .436/.507/.564 with an OPS of 1.071 and 67 RBI in 60 games. His community college year in Warner opened another door for him, one of his choosing. He chose Oklahoma State University and immediately fell in love with OSU.
“I loved it for so many reasons, one of which was that all the team was in the same hall at the dorm,” said Hewitt. “It was so much fun and I got to do my favourite thing everyday. That fall we were playing scrimmages and inter-squad games that lasted 14, 16 sometimes 18 innings. It’s been awesome, it feels like home now.”
Hewitt, now 23, played four seasons with the Cowboys with a triple slash of .317/.431/.385 and an OPS of .816. He continued to walk more often than striking out.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from OSU and was not able to go home to Barrie for over a year and a half because of Covid-19. In the meantime he continued to train and realistically prepare for the 2021 draft.
“As in life, nothing in baseball is ever promised,” said Hewitt. “I know I won’t get drafted high, if I get picked at all in the 20 rounds, because I’m a senior. But it sounds like things are picking up and that there is a bit of interest from some teams.”
OSU had lost in the NCAA Tournament regional to UC Santa Barbara eliminating them from competition.
“I really wanted to win some more games; we all did,” said Hewitt. “But it is what it is. I just got back from an LA Dodgers camp and will be looking forward to the draft.”
Hewitt wasn’t selected in the draft but did stay on the Dodgers contact list. It will be another difficult climb for the 6’0”/192-lb. left-handed hitter who like the aforementioned Paige Howard throws right.
For his first three years at OSU he played as a utility player and was not able to lock down a starting role. Then to begin the 2021 season coach Josh Holliday needed a catcher. Hewitt, who had never caught, answered the call playing 55 games in his senior year. Both he and his coach were pleased with their decision to put him behind the plate.
“Anyway I can help the team,” Hewitt said. “Even now practice at second, third and short just in case something were to happen. Stay sharp at all those positions. It just so happened that we needed a role filled and I’m glad I’ve been able to step into that.”
“He’s just competing extremely well,” Holliday said. “He plays the pitches correctly, he prepares really, really good and cares a great deal about performing well — because he’s proud and he wants to win — and he wants to play for his team. He’s playing for the right reasons. He’s not scared. It gives him the courage to get up there and deliver.”
Hewitt is one of many young men who love to play, appreciate that they can and see the game as part of a bigger picture. There are kids watching, just as he used to.
I like playing,” Hewitt said with a smile. “I try to do my best every day at this school. To be able to get on the field and contribute like that — it’s a special feeling. It’s been a long time coming for me to be able to help the team that way.”
As for those kids, who chose to watch a non-conference baseball game instead of Bedlam basketball being held just a block away, he didn’t have to give them a minute of his time. He didn’t have to stand there and sign countless baseballs until he was the last player left on the field, but he said that he wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Welcome aboard Max.
Feature Picture is of 2020 signed UFO, Robbie Peto
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Discussion (201)
Disagree, not disagreeable
At the end of the fifth inning, with the score 2-3, Roberts had in the bullpen available and line them up: Nelson in the sixth, Kelly 7, Treinen 8 and Jansen 9, had the best of their bullpen to fight that game but sent again Graterol in the sixth inning and then Vesia, he put the OKC bullpen, in and you know what happened.
Just started reading today’s post, got as far as Jorge’s comment regarding
“ the monkey ”. Jorge your hate for the Padres and hate for people who play for the Padres is pretty disgusting, in my opinion. Not that my opinion would matter.
To refer to Tatis as the monkey is a bit over the top and makes me think you are the uncivilized one. Get it together man. Leave those comments at home, please. We get you don’t like the Padres but you don’t have to embarrass yourself every time you mention it.
I wish people on this site would stop getting so offended. I guess the term monkey could be used as racial slur towards black people. In case you haven’t noticed Tatis Jr. ain’t black, he’s Latino. Ironically enough, Jorge Valenzuela is probably also Latino. Put two and two together and you can reasonably assume that Jorge didn’t mean it as a racial slur.
Even more ironically, Bobo is the name of a very famous monkey and I’ve never heard of a single human being named Bobo. So change you’re freaking screen name because I think it’s a racial slur.
So stop being offended you bunch of Karens and let some shit go. A couple of days ago someone here thought Cholo was a racial slur. Stop reading the New York times you sissies.
By the way Jorge, Tatis Jr. reminds me of the Angels rally monkey, I just never said so until now. Next time, just refer to Jr. as that little bitch instead.
Gonsolin to the IL – more shoulder inflammation
Raley and Graterol optionned
Cleavinger, Uceta recalled
Scherzer activated.
Bullpen, I am not easily offended, not by what you said or by what Jorge said. It’s pretty reasonable not to refer to people with such disregard and disrespect as Jorge did with his comment.
If you are someone who doesn’t think so you are certainly in titled to that. I think it’s a bit below the spirit of this blog. That’s my opinion.
I do not read The NY Times, and you probably don’t actually know what Jorge meant when he referred to Tatis as the monkey.
Furthermore, I have never heard of a person called BulldogsandPenguins, but am not going to whine about a name change.
Tonight’s lineup:
SS Chris
2b Max
3B Justin
C Will
LF AJ
CF Cody
1B Matt
RF Bill McKinney
P Mitch White
Does Somebody know why Seager is out from lineup?
I hate the lack of urgency of Roberts and some players
Bullpen, my final comment on this,
I’m not offended, so you can stop insisting that I am. You seem to know everything about everyone, but in this case you don’t. I expressed my opinion that I thought Jorge’s comment was inappropriate. I am sorry you were so offended by that.
STB, you are confused. People say hateful things on this site all the time. Everyone opened their mouth when they thought it was racist. Hatred and racist are two different things. Say what you mean and mean what you say. I’ll apologise when you’re right.
Daniel Estrade hats the lack of urgency by Roberts and some players. Are you going to get offended now?
Helvetica, Arial and Times New Roman walk into a bar…
Bartender yells “Get out of here! We don’t serve your type”.
I don’t know Jorge, but he often seems pissed off. I don’t abide calling someone a monkey.
It’s amazing what the Giants produce offensively with their talent level versus us! Posey is the only guy on their team that would play for us!
I’m rambling and cranky more that usual today. I don’t usually share medical information on the Internet, but with things the way they are, I will this time.
I got my first Moderna Jab on Thursday evening. I slept like crap all night and it felt like someone punched me hard in the arm. I’m a big guy 6′ 260 on a good day, and don’t normally bruise or acknowledge pain easily. I’m 53 and still bench 300. I’m a fat guy, but not a soft guy.
Anyways, I got up at the just before the crack of dawn with crappy sleep, either from the vax, or from the excitement of the trade deadline with sand in my eyes, chills, muscle aches and all the other symptoms of a mild flu including a super highway from the farm to the sanitation plant. I must have been the side effects from the jab because it certainly wasn’t my Tagliatelle with Genovese meat sauce with beef and pancetta that I ate that night right before getting poked, not in a good way. Is it ever a good way for a man to get poked? I digress.
Although I slept like a rock last night, I’ve had more of the same today.
So, I went a year and half through the pandemic, only wearing a mask when required at the box stores, never got sick and as soon as I do the right thing, doing my part to move towards the goal of herd immunity, against my better judgement, I’m sicker now than I have been since all this nonsense started. Well maybe doing my part, or trying to get ahead of King Gavin’s upcoming restrictions on the unvaccinated. Tomato, tomato I guess.
Just another reason to not trust the government and the bullcrap that the media keeps pushing like how everyone and everything is racist. I can’t believe people will feign outrage at a fellow Dodgers fan, a brother who just likes to express his disgust at that despicable team to the South of us. Jorge is Mexican, as in lives in Mexico. He probably doesn’t get all the brainwashing about fake racism that we get in the States, so cut him a break.
You have to understand, you’re fake outrage and offense is just as offensive to some of us as the offense you claim to have. So who’s offense is more valid? Is it racist of you to assume that your offense is of greater value than mine?
Stop getting so offended and stop letting the media control your mind. Speak to other people and understand that others have the right to their opinions.
Okay, there’s my apology to those I’ve offended the last two days. Next week I won’t have an excuse. And hopefully tomorrow, I’ll be back in the normal routine of having other things to do besides writing long posts on this site.
Well, just my normal amount.
Seager not playing is simply the way Roberts and the Dodgers do things anymore. 4 hour game, first game back They want him for the long haul, not one game. And he can still come off of the bench in a clutch situation. Who would you rather see coming off of the bench, Seager or McKinstry? Tatis to 10 day IL. Mookie will be back tomorrow.
A good throw gets Vanmeter at second. We probably won’t see a good throw from right until Mookie gets back.
That Bunt attempt by Mitch White was pathetic. I want the DH.
Some really strong comments today as I read through these posts., so I’ll pass on commenting. How nice is it to see Scherzer, Kershaw and Buehler in the dugout chatting it up! Max is such a tough nose competitor and looks great in Dodger Blue. Can’t wait for his compadre Trea Turner to join in, and hopefully a healthy Betts. That would surely lengthen the lineup and produce more runs, you’d think. Gonsolin hasn’t looked good all year, hope if he comes back it’s just bullpen, doesn’t seem like he’s physically able to start.
Nice start by White. Only mistake came after he walked a hitter and boom, a HR. But other than that, nice outing. They are at least getting some hits.
Another close game with the last team en mlb. Unbelievable. 3 runs in a inning and after that nothing. Be careful to come to the late of the game in a close run, surely we are going to lose. I don’t see passion in this team right now. They must go out to eat the last team but they lost game insted
They are the worst team in baseball why can’t we kick their ass?
Pray this doesn’t go into extra innings…..
Great news for Jorge. That little bitch landed on the IL this time. Can’t just keep getting cortisone shots I guess.
Twitter had the right idea when it originally limited comments to 68 characters.
In baseball it matters how you finish. They stalled for a couple of innings and then came on strong late. Thank you JT and Tio Albert for the clutch hits and a 8-3 win. Padres lost again.
Okay, it is now 2:41 Am, I am heading to the lake to get in some line time. And here is my last take until later today. Last night 8 different players had hits, 7 of them had multiple hits. The only starter without a hit, McKinney. Cody ended up 2-5 with a run scored. I know they were infield hits, but it still looks like a line drive in the scorebook. Other than his final at bat where he struck out, he made contact which is an improvement. Long way to go yes, but at least it is a start. He also made a great play in CF and that boys and girls is the main reason he is still playing. The oldest guy on the roster drove in 2 runs and one of those hits barely made it over the fielders head. Albert is a marvel. Now hitting .240 over all and better than that as a Dodger. Cleavenger still has not proved to me that he is ready for prime time. He has some good stuff, but he hangs one now and then, and .210 hitters are not supposed to be the ones you expect to hit one out. Ahmed has been a pain in the Dodgers neck for several years. I thought White did a good job, and I also think Dave should have left him in to finish the inning. If he is stretched out next season, I could see him as a starter easily. Give the opposing pitchers credit sometimes. Gallen and Kelly both did good jobs. Kelly was a little shaky at first then settled down and got pulled when he walked a batter. Unfortunately for him, the reliever hung a cookie and Turner robbed the cookie jar. News on Tatis is not really great for SD. There is a possibility he might need season ending shoulder surgery. If so, that is a huge blow to SD who also lost Paddack the same day. About a week to welcome Trea Day. Coolest thing on last night’s broadcast was watching Scherzer hold court with Buehler, Barnes, Kershaw and Dave and the coaches and also Tio Albert laughing and talking to the hitters. Great time to be a Dodger fan. 3 for sure Hall of Famers on this team, Pujols, Scherzer and Kersh.