Tytus Cissell is mere days away from a lifelong dream coming true.Â
A star infielder for Francis Howell, Cissell is projected to be drafted on Day 2 of the MLB draft in Fort Worth, Texas. The three-day draft will feature 20 rounds, starting with the first two rounds, compensatory rounds, Competitive Balance Rounds and prospect promotion incentive selections at 6 p.m. Sunday on ESPN. Day 2 (rounds 3-10) and Day 3 (rounds 11-20) will air at 1 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, respectively, on .
As the draft approaches and the phone call from the team who drafts Cissell comes, though, the University of Missouri signee will have quite the decision on the horizon.
"I can't really even imagine or put it into words," Cissell said on what it'd mean to be drafted. "Whether I take that opportunity or not, I think it's going to be a super surreal, super cool feeling. ... Still, none of it really feels real yet."
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Cissell, a first-team selection onto the 2024 Post-Dispatch All-Metro team, is likely to be one of the first area products to hear his name called in the draft. He spearheaded the Francis Howell offense for four seasons, totaling 162 hits, 125 runs, 93 steals, 28 doubles, five triple, four home runs and 90 RBIs with a .354 average. Â
The traction from scouts, however, ascended when Cissell competed in the Super 60 Pro Showcase before his senior season, which put him on the radar of many more organizations and set off a crazy season that including almost daily meetings, in-home visits and calls. He then competed in the MLB Draft Combine from June 18-23 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.Â
"(The combine) was super cool. It was a great opportunity to get down there," Cissell said. "Everyone down there was a bunch of studs ... so getting around those guys and meeting new faces, creating some relationships down there and then just going out there and being able to compete with the best, it was a super cool opportunity."
Cissell could sign professionally with the team that drafts him or he could choose to instead continue the route to Mizzou and play collegiately in hopes of bettering his draft stock down the line.
He said the decision will come down to the right opportunity and what suits him best in his quest to play in the big leagues.
"For me, round is not super, super important," Cissell said. "Obviously, the higher you go up, the more money you're most likely going to get. But (with) a lot of high-school guys, teams will overpay in later rounds, so the round doesn't mean too much because I could get drafted later and have a good opportunity money-wise. ... But I just want to make sure I get the right opportunity."
As a switch-hitting utility player who improved his draft stock in the past year, Cissell expects to be drafted anywhere from the third to fifth round. His ranking varies based on outlet with (234th-ranked prospect) holding a much-different perspective on Cissell than Perfect Game (122) and Future Star Series (124).
Either way, the list of potential suitors remains aplenty.Â
The 18-year-old said there are eight to 10 teams that have stayed in contact and are in the mix to draft him, giving him an assortment of potential destinations and spots to be drafted. Even with the uncertainty of what jersey Cissell may find himself in next month, he knows what he can bring to an organization.Â
"On the baseball field, I'm a leader," Cissell said. "I like to push my teammates and see how far I can get them as well, not just myself. I like to work hard and push those around me both on and off the field. I like to play basketball; I golf a lot (and) compete in pretty much anything I possibly can. But yeah, on the field, (I'm) just being a leader and trying to take my team as far as we can."
Cissell represents just one of several players from the ºüÀêÊÓƵ region who have an opportunity to make their lifelong dreams a reality in the draft.
Here are other names who may be selected in Fort Worth:
Area high school prospects
- Right-handed pitcher Ethan Bagwell, Collinsville: The 6-foot-4, 225-pound righty was an All-Metro baseball third-team selection this season as an infielder, but he has attracted draft attention behind his electric arm. As a starter for Collinsville this year, Bagwell posted a 4-3 record with a 1.59 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 48⅓ innings. He possesses a fastball that holds out at 92-95 mph but did touch 97 mph with the pitch earlier this spring. The University of Missouri signee also throws a low-80s slider and a mid-80s changeup that completes his three-pitch repertoire. In their analysis of Bagwell, Future Star Series said the 18-year-old's "entire prep career on the mound has come with quite a few walks, a developmental hurdle he'll need to overcome if he hopes to start at the next level. Still, his ability to hold velocity deeper into outings, combined with a three-pitch mix (his changeup has taken strikes this spring) points toward a guy who could eventually reach that ceiling."
- Left-handed pitcher Brady Kehlenbrink, Parkway South: An all-around standout this season, the University of Missouri commit earned All-Metro baseball first-team honors at a utility spot this season. Kehlenbrink batted .402 with 12 doubles and 21 RBIs this year and added five victories on the mound with a 1.84 ERA and team-best 81 strikeouts in 45⅔ innings. The southpaw flashes a fastball-curveball-changeup combination and topped out at 95 mph with his fastball in the spring. Kehlenbrink is unranked by and Perfect Game but slots in at 607th in the Future Star Series prospect rankings.
- Right-handed pitcher Jack Nobe, Borgia: The 2024 All-Metro baseball player of the year is a Xavier signee who dominated as a two-way standout for Borgia this season, tying for the area lead in home runs (eight) and posting a .65 ERA in 53⅓ innings pitched. Nobe is not listed on any of the rankings' lists but could emerge as a late-round option due to the success he boasted with the Knights. Armed with a low-90s fastball and strong command for his slider and changeup, the 18-year-old continues to rise up prospect boards as his innings pile up.
- Outfielder Brady Picarelli, Eureka: After being named the Suburban Conference Yellow player of the year in 2023, the University of Missouri pledge slashed .278/.436/.481 with 10 extra-base hits and 12 RBIs as a senior. Picarelli entered the season as one of the top left-handed hitters in the state with high-end bat strength and notable power, making him a potential developmental option for a professional team looking to take a chance the 18-year-old. In 2023, he slashed .443/.532/.797 with seven doubles, three triples, five home runs and 25 RBIs.
Area college prospects
- Outfielder Patrick Clohisy, ºüÀêÊÓƵ University: The left-handed hitting outfielder built upon an impressive 2023 season with a .383 average, 15 doubles, seven home runs and 44 RBIs in 42 games this season for the Billikens. Clohisy missed time due to injury but still posted 20 multi-hit games. A Chaminade graduate, Clohisy showcases strong bat-to-ball skills and is regarded as one of the top 30 outfielders in the draft, per PrepBaseball Report.Â
- Right-handed pitcher Christian Little, Louisiana State:Â Unsigned by the Mets after the 2023 MLB draft, Little is draft eligible for a second year in a row. The former CBC standout made 23 appearances for LSU this season, posting a 6.37 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 29â…” innings out of the bullpen. Little possesses a mid-90s fastball that pairs well with the 21-year-old's curveball and changeup, but scouts have said he still needs to work on missing more bats, refining his command and executing better on off-speed pitches.Â
- Catcher/utility Kurtis Byrne, TCU:Â A 2019 draft pick in the 35th round by the Cardinals out of high school, Byrne went to TCU and emerged as an above-average defender. The CBC alumnus hit .270 this season with eight home runs, 11 doubles and 42 RBIs while also posting a .996 fielding percentage. Ranked as the 439th prospect by Future Star Series, Byrne figures to offer a future as a dependable backstop who can make a positive impact defensively.
Also:
Trevor Austin, shortstop, Missouri
Ethan Bell, right-handed pitcher, ºüÀêÊÓƵ University
CJ Cepicky, outfielder, Northern Illinois (Vianney)
Danny Corona, shortstop, Missouri
Camden Janik, catcher/outfielder, Illinois
Left-handed pitcher Ian Lohse, Missouri (Marquette)
Eric Loomis, right-handed pitcher, Missouri State (CBC)
Jimmy Obertop, catcher, Clemson (Westminster)
Carter Rustad, right-handed pitcher, Missouri
Mark Shallenberger, outfielder, Evansville (Priory)
Zack Stewart, outfielder, Missouri State
Logan Tabeling, right-handed pitcher, Illinois
Drake Westcott, first baseman, Illinois (Edwardsville)