By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News
Lakewood High School senior Aiden Jones made sure to leave a lasting impression in his final season wearing Cougar maroon and gold. The powerful right fielder put together a standout year at the plate and in the field, earning second team All-Northwest Conference honors and drawing interest from college programs eager to add his bat to their roster.
“Aiden brings so much to our team. He’s a strong presence in the lineup, in the field, and in the dugout,” said Lakewood head coach Jackson Conn. “His strength is quite literal, he’s a strong kid with a massive arm, but he’s also mentally strong. His leadership, discipline and patience set him apart as a senior and team captain. He’s worked with our team’s underclassmen all year long and been invaluable to us coaches in teaching those on and off the field skills.”
Aiden, known around the league for his smooth right-handed swing and clutch hitting, wrapped up his senior campaign with an impressive .371 batting average and .429 on-base percentage. According to Max Preps, he amassed 23 hits, 22 RBI’s and scored 11 runs to round out one of the most complete offensive seasons in recent Lakewood history.
“I was fortunate to coach Aiden all four years he played at Lakewood. I witnessed his growth and progression from his freshman year to his senior year,” said Coach Conn. “He had so many great games for us, but the moment that stands out most for me as his coach was when he hit his first homerun here at home. He worked so hard in the offseason and really put the time in weight room to pack on lean muscle and take his power to the next level. Then to see all that hard work pay off when he hit that homerun off one of the best pitcher’s in our conference. It looked like he was floating around the bases. He was so excited and the rest of the team was so excited for him.”
From opening day to the team’s final out, Aiden approached every opportunity with composed confidence while serving as the Cougars’ most dangerous hitter. Batting in the cleanup spot, he consistently delivered in key moments, including clutch at bats in rivalry wins over both Sedro-Woolley and Squalicum. Perhaps his most memorable moment, or just his grandparents’ favorite one, was blasting a homerun off his Louisville Slugger Atlas in the final game of the season vs. Lynden.
“Baseball gives you a lot of life lessons,” explained the hard-hitting, 18-year-old Tulalip tribal member. “In this game, you fail a lot more than you succeed. For example, there are Hall of Fame players who averaged 3 for 10 at the plate. This translates to the real world because everyone is waiting for opportunities to succeed, but when those opportunities come, are you prepared to capitalize? And when you strikeout, because we all do, how do you respond to the next opportunity?”
His ability to capitalize on his opportunities by tracking pitches and delivering extra-base hits made him a fixture in the heart of Lakewood’s lineup and a constant threat to opposing pitchers. While his offensive numbers often started conversations, Aiden was just as dependable defensively as an everyday right fielder. He showcased strong range, reliable hands, and a sharp throwing arm, recording multiple assists—including several run-saving throws enroute to a whopping .900 fielding percentage.
“I play with great confidence, regardless of who is pitching or who is at bat,” asserted the six-foot, two-hundred-pound Aiden who is all muscle and pure testosterone. “At the end of the day, this is just a game, but it’s a game I’ve prepared myself to play at the highest level. I lift six days a week in the offseason, hit the batting cages 3 days a week, and spend a couple hours as often as I can studying the greats. I watch film of the best players to study their mechanics and learn from their professional habits.”
Aiden’s complete skill set and strong academic record has started to open doors at the next level. College coaches from across the Northwest and California reached out to him during his stellar senior year. With his high school days now behind him and an entire summer of recruitment opportunities in front of him, Aiden is steadfast on waiting for the perfect pitch before committing his bat to any collegiate program.
Once he commits to a college, he’ll be fulfilling a dream that was manifested nearly two decades ago when a new born Aiden attended his first baseball. His grandparents, Pam and Butch Blount, recall a month’s old Aiden taking in the sights and sounds of the game while cheering on their son Cody, Aiden’s uncle, playing select ball.
“Raising our grandson has been amazing,” said grandmother Pam while rocking a pair of custom-made earrings that have Aiden’s name and jersey number on them. “We’ve shuttled him back and forth from so many practices, games, tournaments and training facilities that it’s impossible to remember a time when he didn’t have baseball in his life. He’s put his whole heart and soul into this game and into becoming the best player he can be.
“Of course, we want him to play college ball somewhere somewhat local so we can continue to watch him play,” she added. “Wherever he decides to go, we know he’ll continue to push himself to be great and to take this game as far as he can take it.”
With his graduation just days in the rearview mirror, Aiden’s high school career comes to a close. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, big swings, and bigger moments. For Lakewood Cougar’s baseball, #23’s impact won’t soon be forgotten. And for college scouts, the best may be yet to come.