For the first time since 2004 a former Dodge City Conquistador baseball player has been selected in the Major League Baseball draft as former Conquistador, Garrett McGowan was selected in the 17th round with the 523rd selection by the Houston Astros. 

McGowan is the first former Conquistador picked in in the MLB Draft since Fernando Alvarez was selected in the 2004 MLB draft by the Chicago White Sox in the 16th round. The opportunity comes for McGowan after he wrapped up his collegiate baseball career at Pittsburg State with a stellar senior campaign that saw him earn NCAA Division II Gold Glove honors at first base along with first-team All-MIAA and MIAA Gold Glove honors, and CoSIDA Academic All-America NCAA DII baseball honors. On the field for the 2022 he helped the Gorillas finish 31-21hitting .399 with 83 hits, 61 runs scored, 10 doubles, 18 home runs, 79 RBI, and 21 walks. 

In his two seasons at Pittsburg State, he played in 97 games with a .341 batting average recording 126 hits, 30 doubles, 105 runs scored, 33 home runs, and 127 RBI. In his junior season, he was named honorable mention All-MIAA. 

When McGowan was at Dodge City for the 2018 and 2019 seasons, he etched his name in the Conqs in the record books. He ranks second in school history in career home runs (25), tied for fifth and eighth in single-season home runs (13 & 12), tied for eighth in career RBI (95), and tied for tenth in career doubles with (29). In two seasons he hit .348 for the Conqs with 29 doubles, 25 home runs, 95 RBI, and 82 runs scored. McGowan earned honorable mention All-KJCCC in 2018 and picked up Region VI Gold Glove honors at first base in 2019. 

McGowan now looks to embark on his professional career as part of the Houston Astros organization.