The Los Angeles Dodgers have selected former Clemson and current Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei in the 20th round of their draft class, and they believe he has a legitimate future in baseball as a pitching prospect. Despite Uiagalelei focusing on football and aiming for a successful NFL career, the Dodgers see a serious chance for him to pursue a baseball career.
Uiagalelei, who was a highly-touted quarterback recruit in high school, caught the attention of the Dodgers with his impressive pitching ability. During his time as a two-way player in high school, Uiagalelei reportedly threw in the mid-90s off the mound, which put him on the Dodgers’ radar. If he had continued to focus on baseball, he would have likely been drafted out of high school with a third-round grade as a pitcher.
Although Uiagalelei chose to play college football at Clemson and later transferred to Oregon State, the Dodgers kept in touch with him through their area scout, Jonah Rosenthal. They decided to take a late-round flier on Uiagalelei, hoping to continue the conversation about his potential baseball career. The Dodgers remain hopeful that Uiagalelei is genuinely interested in pursuing baseball, as he has continued to stay in touch with Rosenthal and express his desire to explore the sport.
Uiagalelei will face several challenges if he decides to pursue a baseball career. He has thrown a baseball very little since his junior year of high school, focusing entirely on his football career. The Dodgers plan to find creative ways to get Uiagalelei throwing again and potentially build him up for a baseball career as early as next spring. However, they also acknowledge that a strong year with the Oregon State Beavers could attract attention from NFL teams.
At 6-foot-4 and 251 pounds, Uiagalelei brings size and physicality to the pitching position. Although he hasn’t pitched competitively in years, he has maintained his arm strength through playing football. The Dodgers see him as a perfect candidate for development, given their reputation for player development and his high-end tools.
While the Dodgers see Uiagalelei as a potential fallback plan, they also recognize that this opportunity means a lot to him. Uiagalelei, who grew up in LA and is a huge Dodger fan, considers baseball one of his first loves. Although football has brought him fame, he has always had a love for baseball in the back of his mind.
The Dodgers’ draft class also includes other notable picks, such as Duke left-hander Luke Fox, who dropped to them due to missing his junior season after Tommy John surgery. The Dodgers will work with him to develop his pitching skills and help him reach his full potential.
Overall, the Dodgers’ selection of Uiagalelei showcases their willingness to take chances and explore players’ potential in different sports. While Uiagalelei’s football career remains his priority, the Dodgers are serious about giving him an opportunity to pursue a baseball career. Whether he becomes a successful quarterback in the NFL or a talented pitcher in the Dodgers’ organization, Uiagalelei’s future is full of possibilities.
