July 13, 2021

By Stu Walters

UBC Communications

VANCOUVER – It was a banner day for UBC Baseball as starting right-handed pitcher Garrett Hawkins was selected by the San Diego Padres in the ninth round (280th overall) of the 2021 MLB draft on Monday afternoon.

The 6-foot-5 230-pound Saskatchewan native is a workhorse who forced himself on pro scouts' radar with his physical presence on the mound and the ability to fill the strike zone. Hawkins already has major league command of his fastball and was the first NAIA player taken off the board which is extra impressive because other draft eligible players within the conference have still been able to compete. Conversely, due to regional public health orders and border restrictions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic the T-Birds have lost the better part of two seasons.

In order to find games and further be on display the third-year kinesiology student was identified to head south this spring and ply his trade for the Trenton Thunder of the newly formed MLB Draft League. The season runs from late May to mid-August and is recognized as the Premier League in the country focused on baseball's top prospects eligible to be drafted each summer.

"There was definitely a lot of excitement and joy," said Hawkins reflecting on the range of emotions he felt upon hearing his name. "knowing that all of the hard work and dedication that I have put into this game has paid off. When I first saw that I was selected it felt very surreal and it still has not fully settled in that I will be a professional baseball player."

Through one complete season and one drastically shortened season with the T-Birds, Hawkins saw a combined 19 starts and compiled an 8-6 record, pitching 109 innings while tallying 115 strikeouts.

"I honestly don't think I've had anyone that has deserved it more," said UBC head coach Chris Pritchett who himself was drafted by the Chicago Cubs back in 1988. "Garrett has a tremendous work ethic and has shown a steep improvement over a short time. Even though we haven't had any games for some time he never got frustrated and with his determination he continued to work not only on his strengths but more importantly, he attacked his weaknesses, focusing on his overall arsenal, his secondary pitches and it has paid off. We're so proud of Garrett and what he's accomplished along with help from pitching coach Wayne Corness. Also, credit to our veteran pitcher Jared Spearing who stayed on campus last year instead of returning home to work with and mentor Garrett, it's definitely been a group effort."

Coming to UBC from the Vauxhall Academy of Baseball in Alberta, Hawkins becomes the 25th player to be drafted to the major leagues since the 'Birds program re-started in 1997.

"I can't thank my family enough for the sacrifices they have made to make a moment like this come true," added Hawkins. "The T-Birds will forever be my second home. They believed in me and gave me every resource I needed in order to be successful on and off the field. To my former teammates and coaches, thank you for your support along the way I couldn't have done it without you."

Pritchett has now seen six of his players selected since arriving at Point Grey in 2015-16 as Hawkins joins Niall Windeler (Minnesota Twins 2019), Mitch Robinson (New York Yankees, 2018), Curtis Taylor (Arizona, 2016), Alex Webb (Cincinnati, 2016), and Bruce Yari (Cincinnati, 2016).

"Garrett's a great example of what is possible," continued Pritchett. "A reminder for Canadian kids coming out of high school that you can stay here and put yourself in good positions to develop and make that jump to professional baseball while being a part of a great collegiate program and earning a great education."

It's been a whirlwind last couple of seasons for Hawkins whose preparation and diligence allowed him to realize his dreams.

"I think it shows that when you surround yourself with the right people and have a passion and drive to get better, great things can happen. Amazing things can happen when you put your mind towards a goal. I'm very grateful I chose UBC and I'm excited to see more guys like myself get this opportunity."