While Drayk Bowen is busy getting ready for what could be his last year with the Notre Dame football program, his brother Dylan is pursuing his dreams in a completely different sport. The younger of the Bowen brothers would have been one of the best high school baseball prospects in the country heading to college this year. Instead, he’s headed to the minor leagues after getting drafted by the Cincinnati Reds.
The Reds drafted Hanover Central's Dylan Bowen in the fifth round of the 2026 MLB Draft a week ago Sunday. Bowen, a 19-year-old, 6-foot, 191-pound shortstop, was chosen with the 154th overall pick. The slot holds an approximate value of $463,200, and the Reds entered the draft with $10,758,500 in bonus pool money.
While Drayk originally landed at Notre Dame as both a football and baseball player, he’s since decided to only play football. While the Fighting Irish would have likely loved to see his brother join the program that Drayk was once a part of, the younger Bowen had committed to Oklahoma State.
He was a Times All-Area First Team and All-NCC First Team selection in 2026 for his time at Cedar Lake, Indiana, high school. Prep Baseball Report ranked Bowen as the state's third-best collegiate prospect in his class.
Notre Dame connection follows Dylan Bowen into professional baseball
During his senior season with the Wildcats, Bowen hit .406 with 27 hits, five home runs, six doubles, a triple and 29 RBIs. He scored 32 runs, swiped 19 bags and walked 20 times while striking out just 3 times all year.
Bowen's age on draft day — nearly 19-and-a-half years old — was said to make him a bit of a polarizing prospect among talent evaluators. That said, his gap-to-gap hit tool, repeatable motion at the plate, arm strength and speed on the basepaths make him an undeniable player that could find a home at multiple positions on the diamond.
The younger brother of one of Notre Dame’s best linebackers had been committed to Oklahoma State since November 2024. Had Bowen opted to attend college rather than sign professionally, he would have needed to play at least two seasons of college baseball before he was draft-eligible at age 21.
Not wanting to wait to get a start on his professional baseball career, Bowen announced he’s signing with the Reds and withdrawing from Oklahoma State. Bowen became the fourth infielder and third shortstop selected by Cincinnati in the 2026 draft, but he represented the Reds' first dip into the prep players pool during this draft.
By this time next year, both Bowen brothers will likely be playing for pro teams in their respective sports. Drayk is considered one of the best defenders in the game, and the Notre Dame star has even been projected as a possible first-round selection by some mock drafts.
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