Latest news with #Davalan
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
MLB draft: Dodgers select a pair of Arkansas standouts with their first picks
SAN FRANCISCO — The Dodgers' first two picks in this year's MLB draft came consecutively at Nos. 40 and 41 overall. Turns out, their two selections came from the same school, as well, with the team taking left-handed pitcher Zach Root and contact-hitting outfielder Charles Davalan out of the University of Arkansas. Root, a junior for the Razorbacks this year, went at No. 40. A transfer from East Carolina, he had a 3.62 earned-run average this season with 126 strikeouts in 99⅓ innings. Scouting reports lauded his versatile pitch mix, which includes a slider, curveball and changeup from a funky low arm-slot delivery. Davalan, a sophomore who was draft-eligible, also transferred into Arkansas last year after one season at Florida Gulf Coast. He hit .346 for the Razorbacks with 14 home runs, 60 RBIs and more walks (35) than strikeouts (27). Both players were part of an Arkansas team that won 50 games and reached the College World Series. Both figure to be key pieces of the Dodgers' future, as well. Though the Dodgers once again were boxed out of a high draft pick — picking outside the top 30 for the third time in the last four years because of competitive balance tax penalties — the team did acquire an extra selection in what is known as 'Competitive Balance Round A,' securing the No. 41 overall selection as part of the trade that sent Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds. That meant, for the first time since 2019, the Dodgers made two top-50 selections. And when their selections were on the clock, they identified the pair of Southeastern Conference teammates. Root is a Fort Myers, Fla., native who was the No. 31-ranked recruit in the state coming out of high school, according to Perfect Game. After starting his college career at East Carolina, where he had a 9-5 record and 4.43 ERA in two seasons, he found immediate success upon joining Arkansas, earning first-team All-SEC honors and second- and third-team All-American nods. Though he grew up in Florida, Root said he was a childhood Dodgers fan — thanks in large part to another certain left-handed pitcher. 'Growing up, my dad always made me watch [Clayton] Kershaw and learn to pitch like him,' Root said. 'So I've just been watching Dodger baseball ever since I can remember, because of Kershaw.' Davalan took a decidedly more circuitous route to the Dodgers. Originally a childhood hockey player from Quebec, Canada, Davalan moved to Florida when he was in high school during the COVID-19 pandemic, enrolling in a specialized high school that allowed him to spend much of his days training as a baseball player. 'With COVID, a lot got shut down in Canada,' Davalan said. 'So decided to go live in Florida, where the restrictions [weren't there] and you could play 12 months of the year.' From there, the undersized Davalan — who is listed at 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds — got one D-I offer from FGCU, impressed enough there to transfer to Arkansas, and then blossomed into 'one of the best hitters in the draft class, I think,' Root said of his teammate. 'Getting him at pick 41 is just a big steal for the Dodgers.' Davalan offered similar praise about Root, calling him 'kind of an old-school pitcher' who 'really filled the zones up good, but can still get his punchouts when he needs to get out of the jam.' 'Old-school' was also an adjective Davalan used to describe himself. 'I like to win. I like to play hard,' he said. 'So that's what I'm going to try to do. And I'm sure that knowing the organization, it's filled of players like that, so I'm super excited just to get to meet new people.' And, of course, be reacquainted with one from his recent past. 'He's one of my best friends because of Arkansas,' Root said. 'He's a really great dude.' 'I guess I'm going to have to live with him in a couple more years,' Davalan joked. 'He's awesome.'
New York Post
19-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Arkansas' Charles Davalan in tears after season-ending blunder in College World Series
Charles Davalan couldn't hide his emotions after his brutal blunder helped doom Arkansas in its semifinal loss to LSU in the College World Series. His miscue allowed LSU to tie the game in the ninth inning Wednesday night in Omaha, Neb., when a trip to the College World Series championship was within touching distance for Arkansas. An emotional Davalan crouched on the field after the game ended with a blank expression before he was later seen with tears streaming down his face. 5 Charles Davalan reacts during the Arkansas-LSU game in the College World Series on June 18, 2025. X / @LSUbaseball A plethora of coaches and teammates consoled Davalan, a sophomore from Montreal, sharing long hugs and words of encouragement. Davalan looked disconsolate through it all. Arkansas led 5-3 with two outs and runners on first and second in the bottom of the ninth inning. 5 Charles Davalan commits a brutal blunder during the Arkansas-LSU game in the College World Series on June 18, 2025. X / @ESPN 5 Charles Davalan commits a brutal blunder during the Arkansas-LSU game in the College World Series on June 18, 2025. X / @ESPN LSU's Luis Hernandez hit a line drive to left field, and Davalan missed it. He dove unsuccessfully, and the ball ricocheted off his body. Two runs scored on the play to tie the game at 5-5. 'It was hit hard obviously, and it was hooking and sinking,' Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said of Davalan's mistake. 'It looked like Charles slipped taking off for it, and when he took off, he lost sight of it.' Jared Jones, the next batter, then hit a line drive off second baseman Cam Kozeal's glove to drive in the game-winning run. 5 An emotional Charles Davalan (R.) is consoled after the Arkansas-LSU game in the College World Series on June 18, 2025. X / @BaseballQuotes1 5 An emotional Charles Davalan (R.) is consoled after the Arkansas-LSU game in the College World Series on June 18, 2025. X / @BaseballQuotes1 LSU will face Coastal Carolina in the best-of-three championship series, looking to win its second title in three years. Davalan recorded a .352./.440/.572 slash line this year with 14 homers, 60 RBIs and a 1.012 OPS. He was named to the All-SEC First Team. But his season ended in heartbreak.
