RHP Owen Pote, 19th round (569th) — Cincinnati Reds

Lives: Spruce Grove, Alta.

Born: Chandler Gilbert Az.

B/T: R/R

Ht/Wt 6’ 6” 190 lbs.

Team: Sylvan Lake Gulls.

Committed: Barton College.

Previous teams: Okotoks Dawgs 13U, Sherwood Park Athletics.

Previous coaches: Darren Anderson and Lou Pote,

Good genes: “My dad Lou played pro ball for 20 years, My mom Erin played volleyball in high school. My older brother Conor played ball growing up but had to stop because of injury.”

Owen’s father Lou Pote pitched five seasons in the majors with the Anaheim Angels -- including winning the 2002 World Series -- and Cleveland appearing in 129 games. He was 4-4 with a 3.56 ERA and six career saves. His seventh save was me which is why I call him LSL which translates to Life-Savin’ Lou, for he is one of the Okotoks angels along with trainer Savannah Blakeley and team photographer Angela Burger who saved my life in 2019.

The most influential person in my baseball life “Definitely my dad. He has always been extremely supportive of what I want to do with my career and he’s always been the best coach and teacher I could’ve asked for.”

The most influential person in my baseball career: “My pitching coach with Absolute Human Performance, Ethan Elias. He helped me through every obstacle in my pitching career and without the guidance and advice he gave me I wouldn’t be in the position I am today.”

Best day on a ball field for me: “Would be draft day we (Sylvan Lake Gulls) were playing against my dad’s team (Okotoks Dawgs) that day and I saw him for the first time after I found I got drafted and I just met him in the outfield before the game and just gave him a big hug so that was a really cool moment.”

2024 season with Sylvan Lake Gulls, Western Canada League _ 3-0 with a 3.18 ERA in eight games, making four starts. Has walked 14 and struck out 17 in 22 2/3 innings.

Pre-draft workout: With the Chicago Cubs in Mesa, Az.

Teams that showed the most interest leading up to the draft: “San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, and the Texas Rangers.:

Pitcher you have been compared most to: “Ihaven’t really been told many comparisons before but I like to think I model my pitching style after Jacob DeGrom.”