Kent State slugger and Massillon product Aidan Longwell picked by Rockies in MLB Draft
MASSILLON — Aidan Longwell has a path to professional baseball.
Now the Massillon product must decide if it's the right time to walk it.
Longwell was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 17th round of the Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old first baseman has a year of eligibility remaining at Kent State, so the money and opportunity will have to be right for him to sign a professional contract. He was chosen 502nd overall. The signing deadline for this year's class is July 25.
Longwell is the first Massillon Washington High School alum to be picked in the MLB Draft since Chris Machamer was selected in the 16th round by the Boston Red Sox in 2018. Longwell's selection also marks the sixth straight year at least one Stark County product has been drafted.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Longwell put together a tremendous junior season for the Golden Flashes that included All-America third team from Collegiate Baseball News and first-team honors from the Mid-American Conference and the coaches association East Region. Longwell is the first Kent State position player to earn All-America honors since 2012.
The lefty-swinging Longwell batted .409, the best mark at Kent State since 2001, when John Van Benschoten hit .440. His 75 RBIs led the MAC and ranked third most in Kent State history.
He totaled 23 doubles, 10 home runs and 60 runs scored while striking out only 23 times in 230 at-bats.
One of three finalists for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award at first base, Longwell did not commit an error in 432 total chances this season.
Longwell also pitched limited innings and performed well. He was 1-0 with a 1.45 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 18⅔ innings. Opponents batted just .098 off him.
Reach Josh at josh.weir@cantonrep.com
On Twitter: @jweirREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: MLB Draft: Colorado Rockies select Kent State's Aidan Longwell
