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High school athletes can elect to forgo college and immediately sign with teams that draft them. If high school players decide to go the four-year university route, they're ineligible for the draft for three years. 

Last year, Francis Howell graduate Tytus Cissell was picked by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fourth round and Collinsville graduate Ethan Bagwell was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the sixth round. Cissell and Bagwell both signed and are playing in the minor leagues.

Here are a few area players from the high school and college ranks who could hear their names called, probably Monday:

High school

A University of Missouri signee, the right-hander posted a 5-1 record with 92 strikeouts and a .80 ERA in 44 innings as a senior for the Panthers. His 14.64 strikeout average was the fourth-highest among area players during the 2025 season. According to multiple scouting reports, he has a fastball that tops out at 95 mph with a swooping curveball to go along with a 82 mph changeup. At No. 220, Lohman is the only area high schooler listed among the top 250 prospects on

The All-Metro pitcher of the year helped Mascoutah to 25 wins as a senior. An Arizona State signee, he posted a 9-2 record with a .88 ERA in 63 2/3 innings pitched. He was second in the area with 102 strikeouts with an 11.21 strikeout average and had a .74 WHIP. With the bat, Musso had a team-high nine home runs with 34 RBI and a .379 batting average. According to scouting reports, his fastball tops out at 94 mph with a plus curveball and changeup. 

A first-team All-Metro selection, Blue helped the Panthers to a sectional title game appearance with both his bat and his pitching performance. Signed with the University of Cincinnati, Blue had a .434 batting average with a .735 slugging percentage. He had a team-high 51 RBI and hit seven home runs. On the mound, he went 4-2 with a 2.18 ERA in 57 2/3 innings and an area-leading 105 strikeouts. According to scouting reports he has a fastball that tops out at 95 mph with two plus secondary pitches. 

An Oklahoma State signee, Winslow helped the Knights to a third-place Class 3A state tournament finish, the best in program history. A multi-sport standout for Triad, he posted a 5-1 record with a 3.09 ERA in 43 innings pitched. He collected 54 strikeouts with a .95 WHIP. Has a fastball that averages in the low 90s. 

A Mississippi State signee, Wortham helped the Spartans capture a district title last season. He had a .322 batting average with a team-high 28 RBI and five home runs. According to scouting reports, his exit velocity on balls hit has topped out at 92 mph. 

Potentially Wortham's future teammate at Mississippi State if both choose to go the collegiate route, Swain collected a team-high 57 strikeouts in only 37 innings pitched this past season. Has a explosive fastball that tops out at 94 mph and a tight wipeout slider.  

College

Jake McCutcheon, infielder, Missouri State

High school: Francis Howell, 2022 graduate

Listed as the No. 228 prospect by . In three years at Missouri State, McCutcheon posted a .323 batting average with 82 runs scored, 129 hits and 17 home runs with 77 RBI. Fifteen of those home runs and 54 of those RBI came last year. In his final season with a Howell uniform on, he batted .482 with six home runs, five triples and 38 RBI with a .799 slugging percentage. 

Brendan Brock, catcher, Southwestern Illinois

High school: Mascoutah, 2022 graduate

First team NJCAA All-American and Region 24 player of the year last season with the Blue Storm who has committed the University of Oklahoma. Brock batted .462 with 20 home runs and 75 RBI to go along with 27 stolen bases last season for SWIC and finished as program's all-time home run leader with 35. Had a .477 batting average and .890 slugging percentage in his senior season with Mascoutah.

Brock Daniels, infielder, Missouri

High school: Vianney, 2021 graduate

Spent one year at Oklahoma before transferring to Missouri for the past three seasons. In the last two years with the Tigers, he hit eight home runs and totaled 49 RBI. In the past two years, he committed only two errors. 

Hayden Moore, outfielder, Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ University

High school: Edwardsville, 2021 graduate

Played one year at Missouri State before transferring to Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ University for the last two years. In three years at the collegiate level, he's posted a .316 batting average with 136 runs scored and 143 hits with 72 RBI and 50 stolen bases. Defensively, he's committed only four errors in three seasons.

Jackson Holmes, pitcher, Missouri State

High school: Columbia, 2020 graduate

A three-sport star in high school, Holmes bounced from Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ University to Missouri State. Last year at Missouri State he posted a 4-4 record on the mound with five saves. He had a 6.29 ERA in 54 1/3 innings and struck out 61 batters for the Bears. 

Ian Lohse, pitcher, Missouri 

High school: Marquette, 2020 graduate

One of the state's best lefties coming out of high school, the 6-foot hurler posted a 4.85 ERA in five seasons for Mizzou in 120 2/3 innings and collected 147 strikeouts. 

Drake Westcott, infielder, Illinois

High school: Edwardsville, 2020 graduate

A three-time first-team All-Metro selection, Westcott was one of the area's best pure hitters in his time at Edwardsville. Helped the Tigers to a state title in 2018 while slamming nine home runs and collecting 39 RBI. Went to Louisville before transferring to Illinois. In three years with the Illini, he hit 43 home runs and drove in 131.