Two High Desert athletes are taking the next step toward professional baseball after being selected in the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft.

Former Hesperia Christian pitcher Cody New was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 11th round, while Oak Hills High School standout Jacob Webster was chosen by the Boston Red Sox in the 12th round. Their selections add to the growing list of local athletes advancing to professional baseball and highlight the strength of High Desert talent on the national stage.

For New, being drafted by his hometown team made the achievement even more meaningful. Despite missing nearly all of his junior season at California Baptist University after undergoing Tommy John surgery, the left-handed pitcher had already established himself as one of the top arms in the Western Athletic Conference. During his sophomore season, he earned First Team All-WAC honors after recording a 3.49 ERA and striking out 98 batters in 15 starts.

Before his collegiate success, New built an impressive high school career at Hesperia Christian. As a senior, he posted a perfect 9-0 record with a remarkable 0.26 ERA while also making an impact at the plate, helping lead the Patriots to the CIF Southern Section Division 6 championship game.

Webster enters professional baseball following a standout senior season at Oak Hills High School, where he emerged as one of Southern California’s top all-around athletes. The shortstop batted .529 with 10 home runs, 38 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases while helping lead the Bulldogs on another successful campaign. In addition to excelling on the baseball field, Webster also served as Oak Hills’ starting quarterback, guiding the football program to consecutive Mojave River League championships.

His selection also marks an important milestone for the region, becoming one of the first High Desert high school players drafted directly out of high school in recent years. Webster, who had committed to continue his baseball career at Loyola Marymount University, will now decide whether to begin his professional career with the Red Sox or pursue his college plans.

The selections of Cody New and Jacob Webster continue the High Desert’s proud tradition of developing talented student-athletes who go on to compete at the highest levels of baseball, inspiring the next generation of local players to pursue their dreams both on and off the field.