LaRon Smith, a product of the Dawgs Academy and member of Team Canada’s Junior National Team, has decided to sign a professional contract with the Minnesota Twins Organization after being selected as the 754th overall pick in the 25th round of the Major League Baseball Draft on June 6, 2018.

Smith, a native of Spruce Grove, Alberta, decided to make the move south to Okotoks and join the Dawgs program at the end of his sophomore  season in June of 2016.

The Dawgs 18U Black were on a bus trip out to Langley, BC for a tournament when Smith got the call that he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins. Prior to the draft, Smith was committed to play college baseball in the SEC with the University of Alabama. When Smith first got the news about the Twins calling his name, this is what he had to say “I was so excited to the point I was basically speechless. You always dream of getting your name called, but when it actually happens, words cannot describe the feelings. It’s surreal. You have to pinch yourself to make sure you’re not dreaming!”

Dawgs 18U Black Coach Val Helldobler had this to say about LaRon and being drafted “LaRon has worked incredibly hard to improve himself on and off the field. To see him earning the opportunity to play professional baseball, there is not a better reward for the coaching staff, his teammates, his family and friends, and more importantly, LaRon. It is something incredibly special, and we are all proud of him”

When Smith was asked about the Dawgs program and what kind of impact it had on him, he replied “The Dawgs really helped me develop and polish my game, and really just take things to the next level. The strength program really helped me grow physically and has allowed me to be able to play at high level all year while staying healthy. More importantly, I had to grow up in a hurry and really learn to take care of all the little things on and off the field. Moving away from home at a younger age has really helped me mature and develop life skills. Learning to balance baseball with schoolwork, nutrition, friends and family has really taught me to be responsible and accountable for everything that I do in my day-to-day life.”

The entire Dawgs program – players, coaches, front office and ownership, are all very proud of LaRon Smith for his hard work and dedication to the Dawgs program. Every bit of this opportunity to play baseball at it’s highest level has been earned!

CONGRATULATIONS & BEST OF LUCK LARON!

ONCE A DAWG, ALWAYS A DAWG!