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NC State SS signee Aidan West drafted by Los Angeles Dodgers

image_6483441 (3)by:Noah Fleischman•07/14/25•

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Aiden West

For the second straight season, NC State had a highly-touted incoming freshman infielder selected in the early rounds of the MLB Draft. 

In 2024, Parkland (Fla.) Stoneman Douglas shortstop Devin Fitz-Gerald went in the fifth round (165th overall) to the Texas Rangers. That early selection led to the infielder signing a professional contract to forgo his college eligibility. Now, the Wolfpack is at risk of losing another key part of its recruiting class due to the draft. 

Columbia (Md.) Long Reach shortstop Aidan West was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers with the 135th overall pick in the fourth round Monday afternoon at the MLB Draft in Atlanta. With West hearing his name called within the first 10 rounds, it’s likely that he will elect to turn professional and move on from NC State. 

West, who was just one of two infield signees in the Pack’s 2025 class, arrived on NC State’s campus in June to begin his college class schedule. The Wolfpack coaching staff was excited about what he could do for the program — likely competing for a starting spot on the left side of the infield as a first-year player. NC State will have to look elsewhere for his replacement, possibly in the transfer portal later this month ahead of the first day of classes on Aug. 18.

The standout infielder posted an impressive senior season at Long Reach en route to Washington Post First Team All-Met honors. He logged a .538 batting average with 14 extra-base hits, including five homers, 30 RBI and was a perfect 34-for-34 on stolen base attempts. 

West was MLB.com’s top draft prospect from the State of Maryland — college or high school — after he impressed at the MLB Draft combine in Phoenix last month. ESPN ranked West as the No. 97 prospect in the draft, while MLB.com had him 123rd and Future Stars slotted the infielder at No. 183.

Now, it appears that he’s off to the next level without having played a game for Elliott Avent’s ball club. 

MLB.com scouting report

“Back in 2021, the Maryland high school scene produced a left-handed-hitting shortstop who rushed up Draft boards and landed at the end of the first round of that summer’s Draft. That was 2024 MLB All-Star Jackson Merrill. West, who was seen on the summer showcase circuit at events like the East Coast Pro Showcase, is another lefty-swinging infielder from the Old Line State, and while he doesn’t seem likely to have Merrill-like helium, he could see himself in play early on Day 2 of the Draft.

There appears to be some consensus from scouts about West’s left-handed swing and his ability to stay on the dirt defensively. He’s added good strength since he was seen on the summer circuit, and using good bat speed and a relatively flat path that works for him, he routinely hits the ball hard, with a chance to have solid power in the future. There were some swing-and-miss and swing decision concerns, along with a tendency to get locked up on breaking stuff, all of which gave some evaluators pause.

An above-average runner who has gotten more physical, West has decent hands and an average arm, but most feel his range will be a bit shy to stick at shortstop long-term. He has good enough actions to stay on the infield, with a move to third the most likely direction should he head to pro ball instead of to North Carolina State.”

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