​Barstow High School capped its football season with a banquet on Saturday, May 23, 2026, unveiling the anticipated CIF state championship rings. The event highlighted the continuing success of the High Desert’s baseball pipeline, which grew stronger as two more local prospects earned spots in the 2026 MLB Draft. Cody New, a left-handed pitcher from Hesperia Christian, and Jacob Webster, a standout Oak Hills graduate, were each selected in the draft, underscoring the region’s reputation for producing professional baseball talent.
New was chosen by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 11th round, with the 343rd overall pick, becoming the first of the two to hear his name called by a hometown organization. Webster followed shortly after, selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 12th round with the 364th overall pick. The selections continue a robust High Desert tradition of sending talent to the professional ranks, with Webster marking a notable milestone as the first local high school draftee since Oak Hills graduate Solomon Bates was taken by the San Francisco Giants in the eighth round of the 2018 MLB Draft. Additionally, Webster is the first High Desert player drafted straight out of high school since Victor Valley’s Reggie Lawson went to the San Diego Padres in the second round of the 2016 draft.
For New, the moment carried extra emotion given his injury-plagued season. The Dodgers’ selection was particularly meaningful against the backdrop of a year spent rehabbing after Tommy John surgery. “Being drafted—first and foremost—is a blessing; God is good,” New said. “But going to the Dodgers is special. They develop players at a high level and emphasize rehab, which is important given my arm injury. I’m very thankful that the Dodgers took a chance on me and that they’ll help me represent the High Desert.”
New, now 21, made just one appearance during his junior season at California Baptist University before an elbow injury sidelined him for the remainder of that year. He had shown promise in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), where he established himself as one of the league’s top pitchers despite his injury. 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 contributed in 22 games as a freshman, finishing 2-2 with 44 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings.
New is a 2023 graduate of Hesperia Christian, where he left a lasting impression as a senior. He was named the Daily Press Baseball Athlete of the Year after going 9-0 with a minuscule 0.26 ERA and 111 strikeouts, while batting .491 with four home runs, 25 RBIs, and 21 runs scored. He also played a key role in leading the Patriots to the CIF-Southern Section Division 6 championship. His continued success in college and now at the professional level reflects the strength of the High Desert’s development programs and its ability to cultivate elite multi-sport athletes who transition successfully to baseball at the highest levels.
Meanwhile, Webster’s ascent from Oak Hills to the professional ranks reinforces the area’s status as a pipeline for Major League Baseball. The 2026 draft marks a significant milestone as the first direct-from-high-school High Desert selection since 2016, when Reggie Lawson entered the Padresorganization. Webster’s path from high school standout to MLB draftee demonstrates the depth of talent cultivated in the region and signals exciting prospects for local fans in years to come.
As the region celebrates these two players, the broader pattern remains clear: High Desert athletes continue to reach professional levels across sports, with high school programs and local communities supporting their development from early stages through college and beyond. The bar has been raised, and both Cody New and Jacob Webster exemplify the promise and perseverance that characterize the High Desert’s enduring sports legacy.