It was something Tytus Cissell had dreamed of ever since he took his first swing at a baseball sitting on a tee.
The four-year starter at Francis Howell High has always wanted to hear his name called during the Major League Baseball draft.
That dream became a reality Monday, and on Wednesday morning, the 6-foot-2 infielder decided to go pro.
"It was a surreal feeling," Cissell said. "It was a crazy feeling. All the work and everyone who supported me, all those late nights, paid off. It's been a super cool last couple of days and that phone call, it was something I was waiting on."
After being selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks organization in the fourth round with the 132nd pick overall on the second day of the draft, Cissell mulled over the decision on whether or not to sign.
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Holding a scholarship from the University of Missouri, Cissell weighed embarking on a college career or getting an immediate start as a pro.
"For sure, it's always a thought in the back of your mind," Cissell said. "If I go there, I could try to elevate my draft stock, but at the end of the day, I got a great opportunity, high enough that put me in a good position money-wise and player development-wise to take the opportunity and go play there."
According to , the draft pick carries an approximate value of $535,800.
Cissell said he called Mizzou coach Kerrick Jackson on Wednesday to inform him of his decision to sign with the Diamondbacks.
"I have the opportunity to go out of high school and I wanted to jump on that," Cissell said. "You never know when you'll get the opportunity again, so I wanted to jump on that and make the most of it."
He's the first player from the powerhouse Vikings program get drafted since Jake Kostyshock was picked in the eighth round in 2019 after three years at the University of Arkansas.
A first-team All-Metro selection, Cissell is the first Viking to get drafted out of high school since Calvin Munson in the 31st round in 2013.
"He checks all the boxes and there aren't too many guys I've had with the kind of work ethic he has," Francis Howell coach Tony Perkins said. "He's been so dedicated, lifting at 5 in the morning in the school to get stronger. He's still getting stronger. I'm super proud of him. Happy for him and his family. He's a pretty special kid."
Cissell's father, Darin Cissell, was drafted in the 18th round in 1997, but an injury sustained while playing at ºüÀêÊÓƵ University derailed his professional career.
"He was definitely aware that in three years, a lot of things can change and when you have an opportunity to live out your dream, sometimes they don't come around again," Darin Cissell said. "He's very aware of what happened, so I'm sure it was in the back of his mind."
Hearing his son's name on Monday brought a flood of emotions to the elder Cissell.
"I can't describe it. I don't cry very often, but it was many days of crying," Cissell said. "To see all that he put in and to get it appreciated and awarded by the Diamondbacks, it's such a rare thing to see someone pursue their dream and get the opportunity for that to come true. It was an unbelievable experience."
Tytus Cissell helped the Vikings to three consecutive state semifinal appearances in the last three seasons.
He set a new Missouri state record with 158 career games in the blue and gold, including 122 victories. As a senior, he posted a .341 batting average with 29 RBI, two home runs and 34 runs scored. He also logged 37 stolen bases without being caught.
"Lots of tools, switch hitter, can run, play a lot of different positions, and that made him a little attractive because he can play five, six different positions," Perkins said. "That's a guy you can use in your program. The D-backs recognized that and jumped on him."
Cissell said he'll miss the town and family and friends he's spent his entire life growing up around.
But he's going to keep in touch as he begins his professional career and is excited about what the future holds.
"I'm still going to talk to them every day, but it's not going to be the same," Cissell said. "Growing up around the area and seeing the same places every day, but it'll be a great opportunity to go meet new people, build new relationships, and see a whole different part of the (country)."