ChilliwackB次元官网网址檚 Connor Dykstra has signed his first professional contract with the Seattle Mariners following the conclusion of this yearB次元官网网址檚 MLB Draft. 

B次元官网网址淭he phone call from the Mariners organization is something IB次元官网网址檒l never forget, it turned everything into a reality,B次元官网网址� said Dykstra. B次元官网网址淐alling my parents (Tina and Gord) and giving them the news was special, hearing their pure joy and excitement pour out was a great moment we had together.B次元官网网址�

Dykstra, who graduated from Sardis Secondary School, spent his collegiate career in Fairfax, Virginia playing for the George Mason Patriots Division-1 baseball team. 

With the Patriots, Dykstra quickly came into his own behind the plate appearing in 161 games B次元官网网址� 159 of which he started B次元官网网址� garnering a .992 fielding percentage. On the offensive side of things he finished with a .291 batting average and .908 OPS. 

2023 was a standout year for the backstop who collected career highs in hits (57), doubles (18), home runs (9), RBI (48) and runs scored (45). His efforts helped the Patriots to just their second-ever Atlantic-10 Conference Championship which ended in him being named to the All-Conference First Team.

Dykstra also spent three seasons playing premier collegiate summer ball, with his most recent season spent with the Victoria HarbourCats in the West Coast League. 

It was a successful draft for the HarbourCats who, including Dykstra, saw five players signed or selected in this yearB次元官网网址檚 draft. 

B次元官网网址淲e are immensely proud of these players, their hard work and dedication to the game and to our program when they were wearing our uniform,B次元官网网址� said HarbourCats managing partner Jim Swanson. B次元官网网址淭hese are tremendous young men, each has their own story and itB次元官网网址檚 one of excellence and high achievement. 

B次元官网网址淲e hope they all make the steps to reach the MLB level and join the six players we have already produced since the HarbourCats landed in 2013.B次元官网网址�

Despite the accomplishment, Dykstra knows he has his work cut out for him. 

B次元官网网址淥nce I finally put pen to paper, it was like B次元官网网址榦h OK now this is realB次元官网网址�, everything leading up to that point still hadnB次元官网网址檛 set in, but after signing it became reality,B次元官网网址� said the 23-year-old. B次元官网网址淚'm looking forward to developing into a better man and baseball player as this process continues, and not taking each day for granted.B次元官网网址�

Dykstra is expected to join the Mariners rookie-ball affiliate the Arizona Mariners in the Arizona Complex League.