LA Dodgers draft former Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei

Lou Bezjak
·1 min read
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Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (5) runs for a touchdown against Miami during first-quarter action in Clemson, S.C. on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022.

DJ Uiagalelei hasn’t played baseball since high school, but that didn’t stop the Los Angeles Dodgers from taking him in the Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday.

The Dodgers took the former Clemson and current Oregon State quarterback in the 20th and final round of the draft. Uiagalelei is from California. It’s common for teams to take a late-round flier on a player who is a standout in another sport.

Uiagalelei was a standout baseball player at Don Bosco High School and his fastball was clocked at 95 mph.

Uiagalelei started all 13 games at quarterback for Clemson in the 2022 season, but coach Dabo Swinney ultimately benched him in favor of Cade Klubnik. He entered the transfer portal in December and landed at Oregon State.

Uiagalelei set career highs across the board this past season, completing 61.9% of his passes for 2,521 yards and 22 touchdowns while adding 545 yards and seven touchdowns as a runner.

He’s the latest college quarterback selected in the pro baseball draft. Other QBs taken in the MLB Draft include Russell Wilson and Johnny Manziel.