Sylvan Lake Gulls pitcher Owen Pote has been on cloud nine over the last two weeks.
On July 16 his dream came true when he was selected 569th overall by the Cincinnati Reds in the 19th round of the 2024 MLB Draft.
The Sherwood Park, native was driving with his grandparents when he got a phone call from his agent with the good news. It was a moment he will never forget.
"I got to share that moment with my grandpa and grandma. I think that was really special because they're two very important people in my life," he said.
"It was my childhood dream to be drafted. Getting that phone call and hearing that I was drafted is something I'm still trying to soak in the best that I can. It really hasn't set in yet I don't think."
Pote said the Reds are a great organization in terms of development and believes they'll be the right fit for him.
"I'm happy Cincinnati took a chance on me."
Although he hasn't signed a contract with the organization yet if he doesn't he plans to head to Barton Community College in Kansas to play for the Cougars for his first year of collegiate baseball.
Pote took a gap year after graduating from high school in 2023. Instead of going to school, he attended the Absolute Human Performance baseball academy in St. Albert.
Going to Barton College was an easy decision for Pote based on familiarity alone. He knows the coaching staff well in addition to a few of the players. Unless the pros come calling this fall, he'll feel comfortable in Kansas.
"I think just trusting him and knowing what I'm getting from him and the program was really big for me. Barton is a really great spot for that and I know their development and pitching staff will help me in many ways," he added.
This season with the Gulls, he's been a top guy in their rotation.
Standing at 6'6" tall, Pote is undefeated in three starts this season with a 2.91 earned run average. He also struck out 17 batters and gave up just 19 hits in 24 innings pitched.
He joined the Gulls this summer because he wanted to continue to work on his game but also wanted to be on a competitive team.
"I've known [Jason Chatwood] for a couple of years now and he's a great coach. He has a lot of knowledge of the game that he can pass along to the players and I think that was the biggest thing for me is going somewhere I'll be comfortable," he said.
"That was my biggest reason but also it doesn't get much better than Sylvan in the summer."
His father Lou Pote is currently the interim manager and pitching coach for the Gulls' biggest rivals, the Okotoks Dawgs. He has over 16 years of coaching experience that followed a 21-year career playing professional baseball.
He pitched for the Cleveland Indians and the Los Angeles Angels over five years in the Major Leagues. Most notably, he won the World Series with the Angels in 2002.
When asked why he chose the Gulls over playing for his dad with the reigning league champs, he said he wanted to play a year on his own. After playing for his dad throughout his minor baseball days, a change was needed.
"I've played for my dad for my entire life so I think it was more of the fact that I just wanted to go somewhere I can have the freedom to do my own thing. Where I can work and not have that pressure of being the coach's kid. I've won enough with my dad in my lie so I thought I'd switch it up and try to win without him for once."
Even though most of his dad's playing career took place before he was born, he credits his father with introducing him to the game.
"He's definitely had the biggest impact on me and I've always wanted to follow in his footsteps. He's been a big role model to me so just watching him and seeing what he's done for baseball is something I've always wanted to repeat," Pote said.
"His biggest advice to me has always been about keeping the game fun. Baseball becomes competitive and everyone drifts away from the idea that it is fun because everyone takes it so seriously... He always says to remember why you're playing the game."
The game has certainly been fun for the Gulls this summer.
With less than 10 games to go before the playoffs, they've been one of the best teams in the Western Canadian Baseball League sitting in first place in the home stretch of the season.
"It's been awesome. They're just a great group of guys. We have some of the best hitters and pitchers in the league and I think we're definitely going to be one of the contenders when it comes to the playoffs."
