Breckenridge Texan

Breckenridge High School graduate Owen Woodward was drafted in the Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday, July 17.

Woodward, who just wrapped up his senior year at the University of Houston, where he pitched for the Cougars, was picked in the 15th round (no. 443) by the New York Mets. Woodward will be going to the Mets with fellow Houston pitcher Jaxon Jelkin, who was picked on Monday. Also picked in the draft was Houston pitcher, Cade Citelli, who was chosen by the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday.

Woodward made 10 appearances for the Cougars, with one start, a 4.2 inning 10-strikeout appearance where he spun 4.1 perfect innings, according to a news release from the university. His April 12 start against the University of Texas was Woodward’s last for the Cougars in 2024 due to an injury he sustained in that game. The right-hander finished the season with a 5.40 ERA over 23.1 innings with 36 strikeouts against 97 batters faced while walking just four hitters. In his final two outings for Houston, Woodward struck out 15 hitters in 7.2 innings while only allowing two earned runs with just one walk against Texas Tech and Texas. Last year, he finished with a 4-0 record and four saves over 42 innings and 51 strikeouts.

He graduated from Breckenridge High School in 2020 and also played one season at Weatherford College. His parents are Brad and Carey Woodward of Breckenridge. His sister, Lilly, graduated in 2022, and his brother, Hudson, will be a BHS sophomore this fall.

In addition to the Mets’ Major League Baseball team, the Mets’ farm system includes seven Minor League Baseball affiliates across the United States and in the Dominican Republic.

Cutline, top photo: Owen Woodward, a 2020 Breckenridge High School graduate who has played baseball for the University of Houston for the past two seasons, was drafted by the New York Mets on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of the University of Houston)