New Mexico pitcher drafted by Chicago Cubs begins professional baseball journey

New Mexico high school pitcher, Dylan Blomker, is starting his professional baseball career after being selected by the Chicago Cubs in the MLB draft, fulfilling a lifelong dream and showcasing the growing talent in the state. The newly drafted right-hander described the experience as surreal. “It’s been a whirlwind,” Blomker said. “This is only going to happen one time, so trying to take it for what it is and really enjoy it.” Blomker entered the draft with an expectation of being selected between the third and fifth rounds but quickly realized how unpredictable the process could be. “One pick can change the entire draft,” he said. After not hearing his name called on the first day, he admitted the waiting was difficult. “I was kind of anxiety, nervous, a little angry,” he said. “Maybe what did I do not to get there? Where did I go wrong?” Despite the uncertainty, the now-former La Cueva Bear said he kept the bigger picture in mind. Even if the draft had not gone his way, he had a strong backup plan in LSU, a school he called his dream school. Instead, the call came from the team he had hoped for all along. “The Cubs were the team I wanted to go to,” Blomker said. “If you would had asked me before the draft what team I want to go to, I would have said the Chicago Cubs.” His agent informed him about an hour before the selection that a deal was in place, giving him time to process the moment before his name was officially called. Surrounded by family and close friends, he celebrated a milestone that had been years in the making. “I’ve worked for 13 years for that weekend, for that moment,” he said. “To finally have it and realize that I’m one step closer to being a big leaguer was unreal.” The decision to begin his professional career now instead of heading to LSU was not an easy one. He said there was “a lot of prayer” involved, along with careful consideration of which path would give him the best chance to reach the major leagues. In the end, the Cubs’ player development system helped make the choice clear. “The way that they develop is something that’s second to none,” he said. Blomker also pointed to the Cubs’ early interest in him and his visit to their spring training and performance facilities as factors that solidified the fit. Seeing the organization’s setup firsthand, he said, made him believe he could grow there as a player. Now, his journey is beginning quickly. He said he is heading to Mesa, Arizona, almost immediately, with his first assignment still to be determined. He expects his early usage to depend on how much he pitched during his high school season, though he hopes to log innings in rookie ball and possibly work his way up. Even with the excitement, he said he is mindful of the challenges ahead. “All I have to do is baseball now, but it’s a job,” he said. “It can be taken away quickly, just as quickly as it was given. So I can’t take anything for granted.” His opportunity also carries a deeper significance for his home state. Blomker said New Mexico baseball is often overlooked, despite producing high-level players and continuing to grow. “Not a lot of kids from New Mexico turn professional in baseball,” he said. “I’m trying to be the standard for that.” He hopes his journey will shine a light on the talent in New Mexico and inspire younger players to believe in their own potential. For those kids, he offered a simple message: “If you have passion for the game and you give everything you have, you have a chance,” he said.

New Mexico high school pitcher, Dylan Blomker, is starting his professional baseball career after being selected by the Chicago Cubs in the MLB draft, fulfilling a lifelong dream and showcasing the growing talent in the state.

The newly drafted right-hander described the experience as surreal.

“It’s been a whirlwind,” Blomker said. “This is only going to happen one time, so trying to take it for what it is and really enjoy it.”

Blomker entered the draft with an expectation of being selected between the third and fifth rounds but quickly realized how unpredictable the process could be.

“One pick can change the entire draft,” he said.

After not hearing his name called on the first day, he admitted the waiting was difficult.

“I was kind of anxiety, nervous, a little angry,” he said. “Maybe what did I do not to get there? Where did I go wrong?”

Despite the uncertainty, the now-former La Cueva Bear said he kept the bigger picture in mind. Even if the draft had not gone his way, he had a strong backup plan in LSU, a school he called his dream school.

Instead, the call came from the team he had hoped for all along.

“The Cubs were the team I wanted to go to,” Blomker said. “If you would had asked me before the draft what team I want to go to, I would have said the Chicago Cubs.”

His agent informed him about an hour before the selection that a deal was in place, giving him time to process the moment before his name was officially called. Surrounded by family and close friends, he celebrated a milestone that had been years in the making.

“I’ve worked for 13 years for that weekend, for that moment,” he said. “To finally have it and realize that I’m one step closer to being a big leaguer was unreal.”

The decision to begin his professional career now instead of heading to LSU was not an easy one. He said there was “a lot of prayer” involved, along with careful consideration of which path would give him the best chance to reach the major leagues.

In the end, the Cubs’ player development system helped make the choice clear.

“The way that they develop is something that’s second to none,” he said.

Blomker also pointed to the Cubs’ early interest in him and his visit to their spring training and performance facilities as factors that solidified the fit. Seeing the organization’s setup firsthand, he said, made him believe he could grow there as a player.

Now, his journey is beginning quickly. He said he is heading to Mesa, Arizona, almost immediately, with his first assignment still to be determined. He expects his early usage to depend on how much he pitched during his high school season, though he hopes to log innings in rookie ball and possibly work his way up.

Even with the excitement, he said he is mindful of the challenges ahead.

“All I have to do is baseball now, but it’s a job,” he said. “It can be taken away quickly, just as quickly as it was given. So I can’t take anything for granted.”

His opportunity also carries a deeper significance for his home state. Blomker said New Mexico baseball is often overlooked, despite producing high-level players and continuing to grow.

“Not a lot of kids from New Mexico turn professional in baseball,” he said. “I’m trying to be the standard for that.”

He hopes his journey will shine a light on the talent in New Mexico and inspire younger players to believe in their own potential.

For those kids, he offered a simple message:

“If you have passion for the game and you give everything you have, you have a chance,” he said.