Hundreds of HWSA’s alumni have advanced on to play college baseball. But advancing beyond that, into the professional realms, is far more rare. So far in our history, 12 HWSA alumni have made it to pro baseball. Two are still active now and poised to start a new season in 2026…!
 Ryan Johnson (RHP), c/o ’21, of the DFW TACA Storm, was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2024 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels. Ryan made history by making the 2025 Angels’ MLB roster as a rookie, and also posted a dominant 0.00 ERA in his final four minor league appearances with 24 Ks in 19 innings. He starts this year on the MLB roster in the starting rotation, so check him out on Angels’ MLB broadcasts. GO RYAN….!
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 Micah Dallas (RHP), c/o ’18, of the Ft. Worth THESA Riders, transferred for the 2022 season from Texas Tech to Texas A&M University, from which he was drafted in 2022 in the 8th round by the Oakland A’s. Micah starts this year on their AA affiliate in Midland, TX.
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And these 10 other HWSA alumni also made their mark in professional baseball…
- Matt Merrill (RHP), c/o ’17, of the Tulsa NOAH Jaguars, was drafted out of high school by the Houston Astros. After returning for two years in college and one season with the AA Tulsa Drillers, he was signed by the Washington Nationals, and later by the Detroit Tigers, rising to their AA affiliate Erie Seawolves through 2025.
- M.D. Johnson (RHP), c/o ’15, of the Dallas HSAA Angels (and yes the older brother of Ryan Johnson – see above), was drafted in 2019 out of Dallas Baptist University in the 6th round by the Miami Marlins, and played in their minors system from 2019-2025, rising to their AA affiliate in Pensacola FL.
- Jon Rosoff (C/3B), c/o ’14, of the Raleigh WCHS Warriors, was signed by the Detroit Tigers after 4 outstanding years at Army. Jon played in their minors’ system up to AAA from 2018-2022
- Patrick Goetze (RHP), c/o ’13, of the Raleigh WCHS Warriors, was drafted in 2013 by the Boston Red Sox in the 36th round, and played in their minors system up to A+ from 2013-2017
- Blake McKnight (RHP), c/o ’09, of the St. Louis Patriots, played at Evangel University. He was drafted in 2013 by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 38th round, and played in their minors system up to AA from 2013-2017
- Jake Smith (RHP), c/o ’08, of the Augusta GA CSRA Crusaders, played at Darton State College, GA and Campbell University, NC. He was drafted in 2011 by the San Francisco Giants in the 48th round, – after serving as the groundskeeper for the Giants’ A affiliate Augusta Green Jackets, where he attended a tryout. Jake played in their minors system from 2012-2016 through AA before being claimed by the San Diego Padres. Jake was the first HWSA alumnus ever to make the MLB level, helping the Padres closeout the 2016 season.
- Kevin Winn (SS), c/o ’05, of the Middle Tennessee (Nashville) Monarchs, was drafted in 2009 by the San Diego Padres in the 26th round, and played in their minors system up to A that year
- Joel Hartman (1B/3B/OF), c/o ’02, of the Bradenton FL Manatee HEAT, after playing at Southeastern College, FL and Palm Beach Atlantic University, FL, played for several independent minor league teams (Texarkana TX, Corpus Christi TX, Bay Area CA, Washington, White Sands NM, Roswell NM) from 2008-2011
- Matthew Betsill (3B/1B/SS), c/o ’02, of the Atlanta South Christian Knights, was drafted out of Furman University, SC in 2005 by the Minnesota Twins in the 10th round, and played in their minors system up to A+ from 2005-2007
- Dennis Winn (2B/SS/3B), c/o ’02, of the Middle Tennessee (Nashville) Monarchs, and older brother of Kevin Winn, was drafted out of high school by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 48th round, and after playing in college at Western Kentucky University and Louisiana Tech University, played in the Phillies’ minors system up to A from 2007-2008
Please visit our Alumni Page and let us know if there are other HWSA alumni who’ve made it to the next level(s) – we’d love to include them in our listing.