Woodward drafted in 15th round by Mets

Woodward drafted in 15th round by Mets News Staff Mon, 07/22/2024 - 6:06 pm Breckenridge Buckaroo Owen Woodward recently signed a contract with the New York Mets after being selected in the 15th round of last week's MLB draft. Contributed photo/Brad Woodward Breckenridge’s Owen Woodward has been drafted by the New York Mets. Photo/University of Houston Former Buckaroo pitcher Owen Woodward was drafted in the 15th round of the MLB Draft last week by the New York Mets. After graduating, Woodward pitched for Lubbock Christian University, Weatherford College and University of Houston. Contributed photo/Brad Woodward X Mike Williams news@breckenridgeamerican.com One Buckaroo is getting his shot at Major League Baseball. The MLB draft took place last week in Arlington with the New York Mets selecting a BHS graduate. Owen Woodward, a right-handed pitcher, was selected by the Mets in the 15th round as the 433rd pick in the draft.Although he was selected by the Mets, the family was preparing for his name to be called by the Boston Red Sox. “He had five or six teams call him,” Owen’s father Brad Woodward said. “Mets were not one of the (teams calling him). The Red Sox had just called and said we are taking you with our next pick which was four or five picks away at the moment. We popped the cork and started celebrating. ...There was probably three of four of us still looking (at the draft) because it was looking like he was going to get drafted. I’m looking at the draft as it’s going live. ...So I’m watching the Mets to see who they’re going to pick up and it comes up ‘Owen Woodward, pitcher, University of Houston,’ and I read it out loud, not thinking I was reading Owen’s name.” University of Houston teammate Jaxon Kelkin was also drafted by the Mets, in the ninth round. The Mets drafted a total of 13 pitchers. “(He) just spent a couple weeks at the ranch with us and has been around here,” Brad said. “They went to the college world series, watched that and got to meet some people.” Owen took a flight the next day to Port St. Lucie, Florida, where he will continue an injury rehabilitation program. Woodward was a five-sport athlete for the Buckaroos, participating in football, basketball, baseball, track and golf where he earned all-district awards in each sport, including a Texas Sportswriters Association All-State selection for baseball in 2018. “Casey Hubble was instrumental in his athletics,” Brad said. “Casey was a big supporter of his and always was behind what Owen was doing. It was fun for him. He wouldn’t have changed a thing and Coach Hubble helped him facilitate that. It was crazy sometimes when we were in Brownwood playing baseball and had to get back for a track meet.”  He played his freshman year of baseball at Lubbock Christian University, where he earned a 2-2 record in 15 appearances.Woodward pitched for 50.1 innings and recorded 51 strikeouts and an ear of 5.01. He had a season-high of eight strikeouts April 17, 2021 against Cameron. In 2022, Woodward pitched for Weatherford College where he held a record of 1-2 with four saves in 12 appearances. He averaged 13.28 strikeouts per game. He went on to pitch two seasons for the Cougars in Houston. Woodward had a combined record of 5-1 for the Cougars in 35 appearances and pitched a total of 65.1 innings.  During his lone start of the 2024 season, Woodward struck out 10 batters in 4.1 innings during the April 12, 2024 9-1 win over the Longhorns. He suffered an elbow injury and only pitched 10 games in 2024. “He had Tommy John surgery and is in the middle of rehab,” Brad said. “So he will rehab down there at their facility for the next couple of months. Then he’ll crank back up for spring training.” While getting drafted by a MLB club is a reason to celebrate, the road to the show is just beginning for Woodward.After signing a contract with the team, Woodward will be placed on a team in the Mets’ farm system. As a late-round draft pick, Woodward will likely be placed on the Mets’ affiliate in the Florida Complex League, a rookie-league Minor League Baseball league that operates in Florida. The Mets also have farm clubs in Brooklyn, Syracuse and Binghamton, New York, as well as two teams in the Dominican Summer League. Owen is the son of Brad and Carey Woodward and the brother of Lily and Hudson Woodward. Brad said the key to success for Owen and others who might want to follow in his footsteps and play after high school was focusing on his grades as well as athletics. “I actively try to encourage kids to work hard and keep their grades right,” Brad said. “I knew coaches looked at the grades really hard when they’re recruiting. I didn’t know how important that really was. Carey jokes that they both got a college degree and they both got a high school degree together because she helped me through it a lot.” Brad said it was the help of his coaches, teammates and faith in God that continues to guide him as he continues his MLB dream.  Sports