The city of Los Angeles has been busy in regards to sports this past week, with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the regular season, the Lakers and Kings playing playoff games, all the while the Chargers and Rams were focused on the 2025 NFL Draft.
The NFL Draft concluded on Saturday, and that began the wave of undrafted free-agent signings. Among them was a former Dodgers draft pick, DJ Uiagalelei.
The quarterback from Riverside, Calif., agreed to sign with the Chargers following the draft, bringing him back home.
Uiagalelei was well traveled in his college football career, playing for the Clemson Tigers, Oregon State Beavers and Florida State Seminoles.
Despite his primary focus on football, the Dodgers drafted Uiagalelei with their final selection in the 2023 MLB Draft, coming in the 20th round.
Uiagalelei was a two-sport athlete who last played baseball at St. John Bosco High School, where he made three appearances with a 4.50 ERA in 4.2 IP with five strikeouts.
At the time, his fastball was clocked in the mid 90s.
Uiagalelei decided not to sign with the Dodgers after being drafted and went to Oregon State, where he was their starting quarterback. He spent one season with OSU before joining Florida State.
Uiagalelei’s decision to transfer to Florida State under head coach Mike Norvell was made in January 2024, well after the deadline for MLB Draft picks to sign with teams.
Although Uiagalelei was expected to start for FSU, he injured his throwing hand and was out for an extended period of time, appearing in just five games.
He declared for the NFL Draft last December, but he was not a highly-regarded prospect due to his struggles in 2024.
Overall, Uiagalelei went 31-14 in 45 collegiate starts, totaling 9,384 yards with 61 touchdowns, 30 interceptions and a 58.5% completion percentage. He also added 1,124 yards and 21 touchdowns on 380 carries.
DJ Uiagalelei part of poor Dodgers draft class?
The 2023 Dodgers draft has not turned in many positives so far.
Kendall George, their first selection during that draft, is projected as more of a fourth outfielder without much pop in his bat.
Jake Gelof, their second pick, found some success with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga last year, but struggled upon his promotion to High-A Great Lakes, and he has not had much hype among prospect analysts.
Eriq Swan is perhaps the most intriguing of the bunch due to his elite stuff, but his results have not been promising. He is very much a raw pitcher with upside, but a lot of developing to do.
Among their latest prospect rankings by FanGraphs, Swan is their highest rated player from the 2023 Draft, checking in at 13th overall.
Patrick Copen ranks No. 21, Gelof checks in at No. 22, George ranks No. 27, Alex Makarewich holds the No. 45 spot, and Wyatt Crowell ranks No. 49.
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