Edmonton Riverhawks send three more players to big leagues in MLB Draft
The Edmonton Riverhawks are the talk of the city this summer, and they’re sending players to the big leagues.
What the Riverhawks have done to the Edmonton sports scene is no small feat. In a city obsessed with hockey, they have managed to steal the thunder in the summer months. This past Canada Day saw a record crowd of over 9,000 pack Re/Max Field, and the organization is aiming to set the West Coast league record for single-season attendance for a third-straight season.
In just four seasons, they have established themselves as a staple in the Edmonton sports community alongside the NHL’s Oilers and the CFL’s Elks. All that success is paying off for the players as well, with two current Riverhawks and one former player being drafted by MLB teams this week.
Jack Gurevitch, who played 21 games with the Riverhawks in 2022, was the highest-drafted of the three, being taken 89th overall in the third round by the St. Louis Cardinals. He became the highest-ever drafted Riverhawks player.
With the 89th pick in the 3rd round of the #MLBDraft, the @Cardinals have selected former Riverhawks infielder Jack Gurevitch!
This selection makes Jack the highest MLB Draft pick in Riverhawks history and the 7th alum to make the jump to the pros!
🔗 https://t.co/2nlDAMjo9o pic.twitter.com/TImsHQgX2F
— Edmonton Riverhawks (@EdmRiverhawks) July 14, 2025
Following along in his footsteps were two current players in pitcher Carson Latimer and shortstop Robert Phelps.
Latimer has been impressive with the Riverhawks this season, having thrown one of the fastest pitches in WCL history at 99.2 MPH, as well as rocking a 0.85 ERA this summer. He was taken in the 12th round by the Cincinnati Reds.
Riverhawks pitcher Carson Latimer has been drafted by the @Reds in the 12th round of the #MLBDraft!
He posted a 0.85 ERA this summer and lit up the radar gun with a 99.2 MPH fastball, believed to be the fastest in WCL history!
Congrats, Carson 🤝
🔗 https://t.co/hYNYrJazHk pic.twitter.com/AC8UHzoW7e
— Edmonton Riverhawks (@EdmRiverhawks) July 14, 2025
Phelps was next off the board in the 13th round, being drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies. This is close to a best-case scenario for Phelps, as he hails from Pittsburgh, just a five-hour drive from Philly. The 21-year-old has recorded 38 hits, 14 RBIs, and a .284 batting average in 32 games with Edmonton this season.
He also set a club record, stealing five bases in a single game earlier this season.
🚨 Riverhawks SS Robert Phelps is headed to the @Phillies in the 19th round of the 2025 #MLBDraft!
The Pittsburgh native hit .284 with 38 hits, 31 runs & 19 SB in just 32 games , including a record-setting 5-steal game in Edmonton!
Congrats, Robert!
🔗 https://t.co/eLmDhRPL2g pic.twitter.com/YiWX69M6UN
— Edmonton Riverhawks (@EdmRiverhawks) July 15, 2025
A total of nine Riverhawks have been drafted to the Major Leagues since the team’s inception in 2022. Last season, a total of three Riverhawks were drafted in the MLB as well.
As Edmonton baseball fans flock to support the team, that number will only continue to rise in the coming years.