With the MLB All Star break in Seattle, it’s only fitting that one of the top players in the DFW area is headed to the Mariners. Lucas Lovejoy 2023 grad Aidan Smith (OF) was selected by Seattle in the fourth round of the MLB Draft on Monday (124th pick).
Smith helped Lovejoy to the District 13-5A championship this spring.
The Leopards went to the regional quarterfinals and ended with a 27-9-1 overall record. Lovejoy was ranked No. 6 in the Class 5A state rankings at the start of the playoffs and No. 15 in the final state poll in June.
Smith led the team with a 0.491 batting average, 0.582 on base percentage, 0.862 slugging, 1.444 OPS, 57 hits, 10 doubles, 7 triples and 7 home runs. He also scored 41 times, drove in 26 runs and had 17 steals.
Smith, who committed to Mississippi State, was voted 13-5A MVP and named to the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association 5A all-state elite team and the Rawlings All-American first team. According to MLB.com, Smith was the fourth best high school prospect from the Lone Star State. The value at the 124th pick is slated for over $531,000.
Smith was named all area hitter of the year by the Star Local Media.
Four rounds later in the eighth, Weatherford 2023 pitcher Kannon Kemp was selected at 251 by the San Diego Padres.
Kemp helped the Kangaroos to a 32-11 record and appearance in the 6A Region 1 semifinals. The Roos upset Keller in the third round before falling to 6A state champ Flower Mound in the semis in three games.
Weatherford wasn’t ranked in the final regular season 6A poll, but finished No. 13 in June.
Kemp, who committed to Oklahoma, was voted 3-6A Pitcher of the Year. He posted a 0.99 ERA and 125 strikeouts in 84 2/3 innings. He held opposing batters to a 0.165 average and was 8-0 in playoff games all time. He also had 33 hits and 16 runs batted in from the plate.
Kemp was also named all area MVP by the Weatherford Democrat.
