Three former Victoria HarbourCats are one step closer to taking their cleats from Royal Athletic Park to big league ballparks.
Two players from past teams heard their names called during the MLB Draft, which wrapped up on Tuesday (July 11).
Joseph Redfield was the first former player selected as the Los Angeles Angels scooped the 6’2” outfielder in the fourth round, 111th overall. The Texan was the HarbourCats’ player of the year in 2022, posting a .335 average, 59 hits and 33 RBIs in 46 games. The Sam Houston State University athlete could follow in his father Joe’s footsteps as the senior Redfield also played for the Angels during his major league career.
“The things I remember most about playing (in Victoria) was just how awesome of a baseball environment it was,” Redfield said in a video for the HarbourCats’ 10th-anniversary celebration. “I have nothing but good things to say about the whole organization.”
Right-handed pitcher Derek Salata also heard his name called as the one-time HarbourCat could return to the West Coast after being chosen by the Oakland Athletics in the 19th round. The Illinois product appeared in 12 games for Victoria in 2019, where he had a 2.29 ERA, 22 strikeouts and allowed six runs in 19.2 innings.
While he didn’t get picked during the draft, former Victoria pitcher Dakota Hawkins was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Mets. The right-hander took the mound for the HarbourCats during the 2019 campaign and allowed 24 hits and struck out 23 in 31.2 innings.
Hawkins struck out 92 batters and had 35 earned runs on his watch this past season with Washington State University.
READ: ‘Pretty pumped’: Victoria baseball player drafted by Toronto Blue Jays
