Marshall Looney is preparing to wear Dodger Blue.

The La Pine High School senior was selected Tuesday by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth round of the 2002 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

It is believed that Looney is the highest selection from Central Oregon in the history of the amateur baseball draft.

”I’m stunned. I can’t believe it,” Looney said, excitement streaming from his voice.

Looney was the eighth overall pick by the Dodgers and was one of 14 pitchers chosen by the team with their 24 selections on Tuesday.

”They showed some interest in me before the draft, but not as much as some other teams had shown,” said Looney. ”I’m surprised, but not at all disappointed. I’m really happy. I’m going to be playing.”

Looney was the 181st overall selection and was the first high school player from Oregon chosen in this year’s draft.

Looney had a brief conversation with a Dodgers’ representative Tuesday afternoon, but as of late Tuesday night no one from the organization had contacted him to discuss a contract and his immediate future.

Logan White, director of amateur scouting for Los Angeles, was quoted on the Dodgers’ official Web site as saying: ”We’re trying to find left-handed pitching. Looney is strapping, very physical, already throws 92 (mph) with a good breaking ball.”

Looney was the third overall Oregonian selected, following Jeremy Guthrie of Ashland, a right-handed pitcher at Stanford University who was taken by the Cleveland Indians as the 22nd pick in the first round, and Rory Shortell of Portland, a right-handed pitcher at San Diego State University taken in the third round (101st overall) by the Houston Astros.

Oregon State University left-hander Mark McLemore was the highest pick among the collegiate players in the state. He was taken by the Astros in the fourth round with the No. 131 overall pick.

The draft was scheduled to resume this morning, lasting through a maximum of 50 rounds.

Several more Central Oregon players may be selected today when the draft continues. They might include Sean Hofferd, a 2000 graduate of Bend High School now playing at Mount Hood Community College; Geoff Wagner, a 2001 graduate of Bend High playing at Citrus Junior College in California; and Jacoby Ellsbury, a Madras High School senior.