Scotts Valley High alum Robert Hipwell took one step closer to getting into the “Big Leagues” after his name was called during the second day of the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft.
The Santa Clara University third baseman was selected by the San Francisco Giants with the No. 178 overall pick in the sixth round on July 15. His approximate pick value is set at $348,200.
“It’s a lifelong dream of mine,” Hipwell said. “I grew up watching them, so it was so awesome when I found out it was the Giants. I was in shock and I was like, ‘No way, this is crazy’ because I’m staying in the Bay [Area] and my family will be able to watch me.”
Hipwell was hanging out dockside on Lake Michigan during a yearly trip to his grandmother’s house in the city of Grand Haven, which was the same spot he committed to play at Santa Clara University.
He was trying to avoid looking at the MLB Draft tracker that notifies when players have been selected.
“I tried my best to take my mind off of everything and not think about it, because it drives you crazy watching that draft tracker, looking at all the picks and all the people picked before you,” he said.
Sure enough, Hipwell received a phone call from his agent Mark O’Brien asking if he was a Giants fan because Hipwell’s favorite team growing up was about to draft him.
Hipwell celebrated by running off the dock and jumping into the lake.
“I’m still in shock. I feel it’ll be that way until I step foot on the field with the Giants uniform on,” Hipwell said.
The 6-foot-3, 217-pound infielder batted a .273 average (18-for-66) with three home runs, five doubles, one triple, 10 RBIs, 15 runs scored and one stolen base in 18 games played for the Broncos in 2024.
Hipwell didn’t make his junior season debut with Santa Clara until April 20 due to a suspension for the use of performance enhancement drugs. He failed a drug test after taking a pre-workout supplement he purchased over the counter that contained a banned substance by the NCAA.
“It was a big roadblock in my path, but I pushed through it, worked hard and had a great support team around me to help me stay on the right track, and doing whatever I can and controlling what I can control in that moment,” he said.
Hipwell was an effective power hitter in three seasons with Santa Clara after joining the program in 2022. He finished his collegiate career with 18 home runs, 18 doubles, one triple, 52 RBIs, 61 runs scored and three stolen bases in 62 starts.
Former Scotts Valley baseball coach Sean Coyne was stoked for Hipwell, who always put in the extra work after practice to hit in the cage or take more ground balls.
“[Hipwell] did all that extra work, paid attention to detail because he wanted to continue playing at the next level,” Coyne said.
Coyne remembers promoting Hipwell up to the varsity team during his sophomore year and instantly had an impact on the Falcons.
“[Hipwell] kind of rejuvenated our offense, he sparked it,” Coyne said. “He was a spray hitter and he could hit with power.”
Hipwell became the fourth Falcons baseball player to get drafted, and first since Joe Gillette (Menlo College) was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 36th round in 2018.
Shane Carle (Long Beach State) was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2013 and Robbie Erlin was drafted straight out of high school by the Texas Rangers in 2009.
“[Scotts Valley High] was a great spot and I think the most fun I’ve had was on that team,” Hipwell said. “I forgot how all my dreams to play professionally and doing all that stuff, [it] was with all my friends from high school playing baseball in a very competitive league that’s fun.”
Hipwell is waiting to hear back from Giants area scout Stefen Henderson for his first assignment.
“I’m looking forward to being the best player that I can be, and unlocking the whole new realm of professional coaching and being around pro players,” Hipwell said. “Just learning from all those guys and the big leaguers, and everyone that’s in the system about what works for them, because it might work for me. Also just just living out my dream and being able to play baseball, and getting paid to play baseball is crazy. It’s just amazing for me.”
