Dakota Hawkins - Making His Own Path

Not every professional baseball career begins with a draft selection. For Dakota Hawkins, the next chapter started with a free-agent opportunity—and a chance to keep competing.

After pitching at Washington State, Hawkins signed with the New York Mets in July 2023 as an undrafted free agent. His career has since taken him through the organization’s minor-league system, including time with the Brooklyn Cyclones, where JL Glove Co. publicly celebrated a championship-clinching performance.

It is a journey that shows why draft day is only one part of a player’s story.

Building a Foundation at Washington State

Hawkins put together a substantial college résumé during three seasons at Washington State. He appeared in 43 games, including 22 starts, and recorded 13 wins, one save, and 157 strikeouts across 144⅔ innings.

That experience included work as both a starter and a relief pitcher. By the time his college career ended, he had accumulated innings, strikeouts, and experience to carry into his next opportunity.

On July 12, 2023, Washington State announced that Hawkins had signed a free-agent contract with the Mets. He was headed into professional baseball.

A New Opportunity in the Mets’ Organization

Signing without being drafted gave Hawkins a different starting point from many of his professional teammates, but it gave him the same essential opportunity: a place to begin.

His official player history documents assignments with Mets affiliates including Brooklyn, Binghamton, and Syracuse. Those stops form part of his development within the organization and the ongoing work of building a professional pitching career.

The minor leagues are where those careers take shape. New assignments bring new hitters, different responsibilities, and another opportunity to establish a role.

Hawkins’ story also includes the kind of team achievement that gives a season a lasting place in a player’s career.

A Championship Moment in Brooklyn

JL Glove Co.’s public account congratulated Hawkins for earning the win in Brooklyn’s series- and championship-clinching game, identifying him as a JLSquad pitcher. It was a moment that connected an individual contribution with a team’s biggest achievement.

A championship depends on contributions across an entire roster. Being part of the game that finishes the job is a milestone worth recognizing.

For JL, it was an opportunity to celebrate Hawkins and share that accomplishment with the JLSquad community.

Part of the JLSquad

Our public support for Hawkins has extended beyond that championship recognition. JL also featured him in a pitching-day update alongside fellow JLSquad pitcher Cade Winquest, highlighting their scheduled appearances in the Mets’ and Cardinals’ farm systems.

These are the stories we want to share: players developing their careers, taking the ball for their teams, and making the most of the opportunities in front of them.

Hawkins’ route into professional baseball makes his story particularly meaningful for players whose careers do not follow a straight line.

A Career Beyond Draft Day

An undrafted signing is a beginning, not a definition of what comes next.

For Hawkins, that beginning led to professional innings, new assignments, and a championship moment in Brooklyn. His journey offers young players a useful perspective: there is more than one route into professional baseball, and the work continues after the first opportunity arrives.

At JL Glove Co., we’re proud to celebrate his accomplishments and follow his next chapter as part of the JLSquad.

Follow the JLSquad

Explore JL Glove Co. and follow our official social account for more player stories, career milestones, and updates from the JLSquad.

Sources: Washington State signing announcement; Official player profile; JL championship recognition; JL pitching-day update.