Ryan Mitchell Makes History With MLB Draft Selection
The phone rang, and the moment happened for Ryan Mitchell.
The childhood dreams of an 18-year-old from Houston High School, in Germantown, Tennessee, a suburb of Memphis, had come true, as he was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 55th overall selection in the 2nd Round of the MLB Draft.
We at 4 Star Sports sat down with Mitchell to get his immediate emotions, the meaning of making the show as a Memphian, and what the Cardinals organization ís getting in a young man and competitor.
Flood Of Emotions
We asked him specifically about what emotions he experienced as he answered his phone. Mitchell transparently replied, “When I got the call, it was surreal.’ before going more in depth as he described “A flood of emotions-gratitude, excitement, and relief.”
The young man then showed an immense amount of maturity and humility as he didn’t forget those who helped him get to his level. After describing the emotions, Mitchell openly unveiled to us that he began, ”Just thinking about all the work it took to get here and all the people who helped me along the way.”
To close, he made perhaps the most telling statement of the conversation, noting that the support garnered on his journey was monumental in his mind. Mitchell told us this outpouring was ‘Something I’ll never forget.”
Memphis Made
When discussing the moment with the current Georgia Tech commit, the topic of his hometown, Memphis, and the meaning of being drafted came up. Mitchell gleamed with pride as he told 4 Star Sports, “This city shaped me — the grit, the grind, the culture. It gave me that underdog mentality.”
The moment for Mitchell had more significance than some may realize. With his selection by the Cardinals, Mitchell now joins Memphis Redbirds (AAA) Manager Ben Johnson (1999 4th Rd. from Germantown High School) as draft picks from Germantown, Tenn. When Mitchell told us that he “Hopes he can prove to the next kid that it’s possible to chase something bigger and make it real.”
Wíth the totality of the moment not yet sunk in, the 2024-25 Gatorade National Player of the Year understands what he has accomplished doesn’t happen every day. When discussing what it meant, Mitchell opened his heart when he stated, “Making it to this level coming from Memphis means everything.”
Who Do Cardinals Get in Mitchell?
Despite being drafted as an outfielder, while with Houston High, Mitchell played the shortstop and second base positions. The former National Honor Society member brings a competitor. Mitchell told us himself as he stated, “The Cardinals are getting a competitor – someone who plays with passion, who handles business the right way, and is going to do whatever it takes to win.”
Going further into this, the 6 ‘2 right-hander said he “Prides himself on being a leader, staying consistent and never shying away from the big moments.”. For a Cardinals organization that their Triple-A affiliate, the Redbirds, in his hometown.
The new Cardinal is eager to get started on his new journey. In speaking on this, Mitchell said, “This is just the beginning for me. I want to get to the big leagues as fast as possible, stick there, and make an impact on and off the field.”
Mitchell closed our conversation with a statement that was foretelling of his ultimate goal. Mitchell wants to keep his hometown and newly selected home growing and thriving with hím there as he told us, “That means giving back and helping both St. Louis ànd Memphis become even better communities.”
We spoke with Lane McCarter, coach at Houston High School, about what Mitchell meant to their program. He would transparently tell us, “Houston baseball was a small part of Ryan’s success. He put the work in above and beyond, and that is what made him special,” and added that the moment was “A special day for Ryan and his family.”
In closing, our exclusive conversation openly unveiled a young man who deserves his selection. Moreover, the city he hails from and the newest to select him now has a chance to become better with Ryan Mitchell as a member of their community.
