Garrett Hawkins, a Canadian pitcher, is on the brink of a remarkable comeback story, aiming for a spot in the big leagues after a truly exceptional minor league season. But can he overcome the odds and secure his place among the elite?
Hawkins, a native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, joined the San Diego Padres' Spring Training with a clear goal: to prove he belongs in the majors. And his 2025 minor league campaign was nothing short of extraordinary. Across 45 games with the High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps and Double-A San Antonio Missions, he maintained a stellar 1.50 earned-run average.
But here's where it gets impressive: Hawkins pieced together a 38-inning scoreless streak across these two levels, spanning 29 appearances. During this stretch, he dominated, allowing only 19 baserunners while racking up an astonishing 51 strikeouts. This performance earned him the prestigious title of Pitcher of the Year in the Padres organization.
Hawkins reflected on his season, admitting there were days when he didn't feel his best but managed to pull through. He told MLB.com's Jesse Borek, "There were definitely outings where I didn't have my best stuff, but I got lucky and kept the scoreboard clean. I found my rhythm and learned to not overthink things."
However, Hawkins' path to the majors is not without challenges. He must surpass several established pitchers in the Padres' depth chart, including the formidable Mason Miller, a fireballer, and elite pitchers Jason Adam, Adrian Morejon, and Jeremiah Estrada.
Manager Craig Stammen acknowledges Hawkins' talent, stating, "We recognize his abilities, but now he must demonstrate them against the best in the big leagues." Hawkins' journey is even more unique as he was drafted into the majors from USports in Canada, a rare feat. The Padres selected him in the 2021 MLB June Amateur Draft from the University of British Columbia.
After undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing the 2024 season, Hawkins returned with a vengeance. His transition to the bullpen saw his fastball velocity soar into the mid-90s, a significant improvement from his previous 90-92 mph as a starter.
And this is the part most people miss—the Padres' decision to promote Hawkins to the major-league club could be a game-changer. It would be a testament to perseverance and a rare success story for a player drafted from Canadian university baseball. But will Hawkins get his chance to shine? Only time will tell, and the baseball world eagerly awaits the outcome.
