by Will Muiter
The Paducah Sun
July 16, 2025
Used with permission.
After being drafted as the 554th overall pick in the 18th round in the MLB Draft, former Paducah Tilghman Blue Tornado and Louisville Cardinal Justin West will forgo his senior year of eligibility and officially sign to be a part of the New York Yankees organization.
“It was pretty exciting to hear my name,” West said about his draft day experience. “I didn’t really have much of a reaction, I was just kind of shocked seeing my name come across the screen. It was just surreal. It’s a childhood dream to be drafted by a Major League Baseball team.”
West posted great numbers in his junior campaign as a Cardinal and was a key piece out of the bullpen in their College World Series run. West posted a solid 5.59 ERA on the season, but in 9.2 innings of postseason work, he allowed just one run and struck out 10. West says the hard work he put in got him to where he is today, but the success on the national stage was a big factor in him getting selected in the draft.
“I had expectations to get drafted, especially after the postseason. Going into the day, I had high hopes. I was sitting there, just waiting and hoping, and then finally, dreams came true,” West said. “I think it definitely played a big part in the success Louisville had. I just have to give credit to Coach Mack and Coach Williams and all my teammates. It’s an awesome program with great people surrounding it, and I couldn’t be here without them.”
Just wrapping up his junior year, West had the option to return to Louisville for a senior season, but is betting on himself in the pros by accepting the opportunity of a lifetime, to be a part of a professional program. The decision was not an easy one to make, but West said this is the right move for his future.
“No, it’s not an easy decision, having to step away from Louisville after being there for three years. It’s tough, but I’ve got my college degree coming in about a month, and I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. I think I’ve done a lot through Louisville, and we’ve had some great seasons, but I think it’s just time for the next step.”
West is not just going to the big leagues, but is joining one of the most historic franchises in the MLB. The Yankees have 27 World Series trophies in the past 100 years, more than double that of any other franchise. They have produced a number of great players in the majors and in their farm system, and now Justin will be a part of that history, an opportunity he doesn’t take lightly.
“The Yankees are one of the best teams in baseball and some would say the best team ever. It’s really just humbling to be selected by the Yankees and awesome to be a part of that program and franchise.”
Just two days after getting that life-changing call, West is now headed to Tampa, Florida to get to work and train with the affiliate team, where he will work up the ranks to hopefully be designated to a minor league team early next year.
Although Florida will be a new environment for Justin, he will have a familiar face as a teammate. Jackson Fristoe, also a former Blue Tornado, was drafted by the Yankees back in 2022. Now, the former teammates will reunite at the professional level.
“Jackson’s a great dude. He put up unbelievable numbers at Mississippi State. I’m just happy to know a familiar face down there and be in the same program again as what was my sophomore year and his junior year. It will be fun.”
Now with his successful days as a Louisville Cardinal behind him, Justin West shifts his focus towards a new chapter of his baseball career. From pitching in the College World Series to getting drafted by a prestigious franchise in the MLB, West accomplished many childhood dreams of his in these past few months alone.
Justin has a long road ahead of him now that he joins the ranks of professional baseball, but he is ready to embrace this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which undoubtedly he has earned. With hard work, patience, and the same determination that got him to this point, Justin West is ready to chase the big league dream.