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.  (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