Seattle native Reed Baker-Whiting landed himself a spot on the prestigious MLS 22-Under-22 list, coming in at No. 17. The 21-year-old fullback is making waves with Nashville SC these days, which feels a little wild considering his history right here in the Emerald City. Our own Snyder Brunell barely missed the cut at No. 29, but beyond that, no other Sounders warranted any mention on the list this time around.
The Deal That Sent a Homegrown Talent South
Baker-Whiting was once a fixture in our youth system, signing as a Homegrown Player for the Sounders at just 15 years old. He spent five seasons rocking the green and blue, and his potential was always crystal clear. Anyone who watched him knew the kid had talent. The frustrating part? He struggled to lock down consistent playing time, for a bunch of reasons. So, over the offseason, the Sounders made a move, sending him off to Nashville. It wasn’t just a handshake deal either, we’re talking about a solid $800,000 upfront for the club, plus another $300,000 in potential incentives. And get this: the Sounders retained 20% of any future sale. That’s a smart piece of business, no doubt, but it stings a little to see a homegrown talent find his stride elsewhere.
Dominating in Nashville and Leading the Shield Race
Down in Nashville, Baker-Whiting isn’t just playing, he’s absolutely tearing it up. Playing almost exclusively as a left back, the guy has piled up nearly 2,000 minutes on the field. He’s started 22 games, bagged three goals, and dished out five assists across all competitions. Every single one of those numbers is a career high for him. It’s no wonder Nashville SC is leading the Supporters’ Shield race right now; Baker-Whiting is a huge part of their engine. Seeing him reach this level, making the 22-Under-22 list, it just confirms what many of us always believed about his ceiling. He’s the fourth player from the Sounders Academy to ever make this list, following in the footsteps of DeAndre Yedlin in 2014, our very own Jordan Morris in 2016 and 2017, and Obed Vargas in 2024 and 2025. Other Sounders who’ve graced the list include Fredy Montero back in 2010 and Cristian Roldan in 2015, 2016, and 2017.
It’s tough to see a Seattle native and Sounders Academy product flourish somewhere else, but you’ve gotta respect the grind and the talent. With Nashville holding onto the Supporters’ Shield lead, Baker-Whiting’s stock is only going to keep rising. And hey, maybe that 20% future sale will turn into even more green for our boys down the line. It’s all about watching him continue to grow and dominate the league.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Sounder at Heart.
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