Howard County resident Aidan West was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round of the 2025 Major League Baseball draft on July 14, becoming the first Baltimore-area high schooler to be drafted since 2022 and first Howard County native since 2018.
West, 18, a recent graduate of Long Reach High School in Columbia, was taken with the No. 135 overall pick as a left-handed swinging shortstop. He was the first pick for the Dodgers on day two of the draft and one of the youngest players selected.
West set several career records at Long Reach over four years on the varsity team, with 113 hits, a .499 batting average, 1.389 OPS, 15 home runs, 81 stolen bases, 22 doubles, 70 walks, and 93 runs.
In his senior season, West hit for a .591 average with a .667 on-base percentage, according to MaxPreps.
“Congratulations to Aidan West on being selected in the fourth round of the 2025 MLB Draft by the @Dodgers! We look forward to the next chapter of your baseball career,” Long Reach Baseball wrote in a post on X.
West’s selection also earned plenty of praise from local figures. “Congratulations, to Howard County Public School System Long Reach High School graduate, Aidan West for being selected in the 2025 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers! Your hard work and dedication have taken you to the big leagues and we look forward to seeing you rise! #DodgersNation just gained a star!” wrote Howard County Councilman Opel Jones on Facebook.
West was ranked No.123 in the 2025 draft class by MLB.com and was graded by scouts as an above-average runner with the potential to have solid power at the plate, though there were some questions about consistent contact in the swing.
West is committed to play college ball at North Carolina State University, but those plans may change as pick 135 is slotted for a $544,900 signing bonus, and the Dodgers may exceed the slot value to entice West out of his college commitment.
West is the first Maryland high school player drafted since Calvert Hall alum Lamar King Jr. was taken in the fourth round of the 2022 draft by the Padres.
He is the first Howard County resident since Reservoir High School graduate Cody Morris was taken in the seventh round of the 2018 draft by the-then Cleveland Indians.
Morris had previously been selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 32nd round in 2015 out of high school, but he opted not to sign and attend college.
West now joins a list of exciting young players from the Maryland High School ranks including King, the No. 29 ranked prospect in the Padres’ system by MLB.com; Severna Park High School alum and 2024 MLB All-Star Jackson Merrill; and Gilman alum Peter Heubeck, a third-round selection by the Dodgers in 2021, their current No. 24 ranked prospect.
