The 2022 MLB Draft concluded with the Los Angeles Dodgers selecting 19 players, including catcher Dalton Rushing with their first pick at No. 40 overall.
Their draft was heavy on position players, with 14 of their picks being hitters, just one year removed from their pitcher-heavy draft class.
But in the 16th round with the 495th overall pick, the Dodgers selected a right-handed pitcher out of UCLA in Jared Karros. While most 16th-round picks don’t have much notoriety, Jared is the son of former Dodgers first baseman Eric Karros.
Because of his father, Jared Karros grew up as a Dodgers fan and went to games at Dodger Stadium. Now that he has the opportunity to play in the organization, Jared couldn’t be more excited, via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“It’s definitely pretty awesome, just with them being the local team, always grew up watching them, rooting for them, going to games,” Jared said. “But there’s more than that. With their development and their organization, it’s more than just the local team that I rooted for. It’s an organization that’s going to give me the best opportunity to help further my career.”
Karros was developing into one of UCLA’s top pitchers, but he has not been on the mound in more than a year after suffering a back injury on March 28. During the course of his rehab, he has been working with the Dodgers’ medical staff and training at Dodger Stadium:
During his rehab over the last year, the pitcher worked with Brandon McDaniel, the Dodgers vice president of player performance, and Keith Pyne, a medical consultant for the team.
He visited Dodger Stadium on occasion to work out and throw. And he said he was struck by “how willing to help they are, all the resources they offer and how personable a lot of them are. It made it feel just very welcoming.”
Karros went 4-1 with a 3.51 ERA and held batters to a .204 average while striking out 48 in his college career. After being selected by his dream organization, it seems likely he will sign with the Dodgers rather than returning to UCLA for his senior season.
Dodgers drafted multiple players with family ties in MLB
Along with Karros, the Dodgers also selected two other players with family members who have played or are currently playing professional baseball.
With the 165th pick, the Dodgers selected Sean McLain out of Arizona State University. The right-handed hitting shortstop batted .333/.430/.458 last season and has a career .328/.410/.487 line. McLain’s brother Matt was selected by the Cincinnati Reds 17th overall in 2021.
With the 345th pick, the Dodgers selected outfielder Kyle Nevin out of Baylor University. The son of L.A. Angels interim manager Phil Nevin, Kyle hit .304 with 49 RBI in 54 games this season.
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