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The High Desert’s baseball pipeline added two more professional prospects Sunday as former Hesperia Christian standout Cody New and Oak Hills graduate Jacob Webster were selected in the 2026 MLB Draft.
New, a left-handed pitcher from California Baptist, was chosen by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 11th round with the No. 343 overall pick before Webster, one of the area's most accomplished two-sport athletes, was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 12th round with the No. 364 overall pick.
The selections continue a strong tradition of High Desert talent reaching professional baseball, while Webster became the first local high school player drafted since Oak Hills graduate Solomon Bates was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the eighth round of the 2018 MLB Draft. Webster is also the first High Desert player drafted directly out of high school since Victor Valley graduate Reggie Lawson was taken by the San Diego Padres in the second round of the 2016 draft.
For New, hearing his name called by his hometown organization made an emotional moment even more meaningful after a season cut short by injury.
“Being drafted first of all, is such a blessing, God is good,” New said. “But going to the Dodgers, that's special. They develop at such a high level and rehab as the same. Since hurting my arm and getting Tommy John surgery this year, finding a team to rehab was a huge priority. I’m very thankful for the Dodgers for taking a chance on me and helping me represent the High Desert.”
The 21-year-old made just one appearance during his junior season at Cal Baptist before suffering an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. He threw 2 ⅔ innings before being sidelined for the remainder of the season.
The polls are open: Vote for the Joe Orthodontics Multisport Athlete of the Year
Despite the injury, New had already established himself as one of the top pitchers in the Western Athletic Conference. As a sophomore, he earned first-team All-WAC honors after posting a 6-3 record with a 3.49 ERA and 98 strikeouts over 80 innings in 15 starts. He appeared in 22 games as a freshman, finishing 2-2 with 44 strikeouts across 45 2/3 innings.
New graduated from Hesperia Christian in 2023, where he dominated as a senior. He was named the Daily Press Baseball Athlete of the Year after finishing 9-0 with a microscopic 0.26 ERA and 111 strikeouts while batting .491 with four home runs, 25 RBIs and 21 runs scored. He also helped lead the Patriots to the CIF-Southern Section Division 6 championship game and earned All-CIF-SS Division 6 honors.
A round later, Webster realized a dream of his own after an unforgettable senior year at Oak Hills.
The shortstop hit .529 with 10 home runs, 38 RBIs, 30 runs scored and 22 stolen bases while focusing exclusively on defense and offense after spending much of his varsity career as both a pitcher and position player.
Committed to Loyola Marymount University, Webster became one of four shortstops selected by the Red Sox in this year’s draft class.
His athletic résumé extends beyond the diamond. Webster served as Oak Hills’ starting quarterback each of the past two seasons, leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back Mojave River League football championships.
A four-year varsity baseball standout, Webster steadily developed into one of the area’s most complete players. As a junior, he helped Oak Hills finish second in the Mojave River League while going 4-2 with a 3.47 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 36 innings. He also batted .359 with two home runs, 19 RBIs, 23 runs and 16 stolen bases.
It’s unknown if Webster will elect to sign with the Red Sox or honor his college commitment at Loyola Marymount. Webster was not reached for comment Sunday afternoon.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Cody New and Jacob Webster are selected on Day 2 of the 2026 MLB Draft
Continue reading...
New, a left-handed pitcher from California Baptist, was chosen by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 11th round with the No. 343 overall pick before Webster, one of the area's most accomplished two-sport athletes, was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 12th round with the No. 364 overall pick.
The selections continue a strong tradition of High Desert talent reaching professional baseball, while Webster became the first local high school player drafted since Oak Hills graduate Solomon Bates was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the eighth round of the 2018 MLB Draft. Webster is also the first High Desert player drafted directly out of high school since Victor Valley graduate Reggie Lawson was taken by the San Diego Padres in the second round of the 2016 draft.
For New, hearing his name called by his hometown organization made an emotional moment even more meaningful after a season cut short by injury.
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“Being drafted first of all, is such a blessing, God is good,” New said. “But going to the Dodgers, that's special. They develop at such a high level and rehab as the same. Since hurting my arm and getting Tommy John surgery this year, finding a team to rehab was a huge priority. I’m very thankful for the Dodgers for taking a chance on me and helping me represent the High Desert.”
The 21-year-old made just one appearance during his junior season at Cal Baptist before suffering an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. He threw 2 ⅔ innings before being sidelined for the remainder of the season.
The polls are open: Vote for the Joe Orthodontics Multisport Athlete of the Year
Despite the injury, New had already established himself as one of the top pitchers in the Western Athletic Conference. As a sophomore, he earned first-team All-WAC honors after posting a 6-3 record with a 3.49 ERA and 98 strikeouts over 80 innings in 15 starts. He appeared in 22 games as a freshman, finishing 2-2 with 44 strikeouts across 45 2/3 innings.
New graduated from Hesperia Christian in 2023, where he dominated as a senior. He was named the Daily Press Baseball Athlete of the Year after finishing 9-0 with a microscopic 0.26 ERA and 111 strikeouts while batting .491 with four home runs, 25 RBIs and 21 runs scored. He also helped lead the Patriots to the CIF-Southern Section Division 6 championship game and earned All-CIF-SS Division 6 honors.
A round later, Webster realized a dream of his own after an unforgettable senior year at Oak Hills.
You must be registered for see images attach
The shortstop hit .529 with 10 home runs, 38 RBIs, 30 runs scored and 22 stolen bases while focusing exclusively on defense and offense after spending much of his varsity career as both a pitcher and position player.
Committed to Loyola Marymount University, Webster became one of four shortstops selected by the Red Sox in this year’s draft class.
His athletic résumé extends beyond the diamond. Webster served as Oak Hills’ starting quarterback each of the past two seasons, leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back Mojave River League football championships.
A four-year varsity baseball standout, Webster steadily developed into one of the area’s most complete players. As a junior, he helped Oak Hills finish second in the Mojave River League while going 4-2 with a 3.47 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 36 innings. He also batted .359 with two home runs, 19 RBIs, 23 runs and 16 stolen bases.
It’s unknown if Webster will elect to sign with the Red Sox or honor his college commitment at Loyola Marymount. Webster was not reached for comment Sunday afternoon.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Cody New and Jacob Webster are selected on Day 2 of the 2026 MLB Draft
Continue reading...
