Suffolk Shines on Draft Day

Long Island's reputation as a baseball hotbed continued to grow this weekend as several Suffolk County standouts heard their names called during the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft, turning years of hard work into lifelong dreams.

From local high school diamonds to collegiate success, Suffolk County was well represented as talented players took the next step toward professional baseball careers.

Half Hollow Hills West graduate Justin LeGuernic, a left-handed pitcher at Clemson University, was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the sixth round. LeGuernic, who graduated from Hills West in 2023, continued to develop into one of the top pitching prospects in the region during his collegiate career.

The Los Angeles Dodgers used their seventh-round selection on left-handed pitcher Charles West. A 2023 graduate of Ward Melville High School, West starred at the University of Connecticut before hearing his name called on draft day.

Stony Brook University standout Micah Worley was chosen by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the sixth round after an outstanding season in which he posted a 6-5 record with a 3.12 ERA while striking out 93 batters in 69.1 innings.

The Detroit Tigers selected Sayville High School graduate Jack Turner in the 10th round. Turner, a member of Sayville's Class of 2021, continued his development at the collegiate level before earning his opportunity in professional baseball.

Commack graduate Chris McHigh was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 11th round. The NC State first baseman, a 2023 Commack graduate, capped an impressive college career with the exciting draft selection.

Leading the way was Aiden Ruiz of The Stony Brook School, who became the highest Long Island player selected after the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted the shortstop with the 44th overall pick. Ruiz, a recent 2026 graduate, now begins his professional baseball journey with one of the game's historic franchises.

For Suffolk County baseball, the draft served as another reminder that the region continues to produce outstanding talent, with several local players now one step closer to reaching the Major Leagues and fulfilling dreams they have chased since childhood.