There aren't many names in Missouri's 2024 class that's boosted their prospect stock in the last year than UTL Tytus Cissell (Francis Howell). Added size, speed, and strength over last off-season greatly benefited Cissell's game, and he starred for a Vikings' squad last spring that made a run all the way to the state championship game. 

After that, Cissell tore it up on the summer circuit, hitting at nearly every spot while showing more juice than before and a double-plus run tool as well. He's capable of impacting the game in multiple ways - at Creekside this summer, Cissell dropped a bunt single down the third base line for a hit and barreled up a 95 mph fastball for a single in his next at-bat. There's value defensively too, with Cissell being able to play both infield spots up the middle as well as center field. All of this positive momentum culminated in a Super 60 invite for Cissell, who'll head to the prestigious, highly scouted winter event on February 4th. 

We recently had the opportunity to talk with Cissell on his recruiting process, why he chose Mizzou, his favorite baseball memory, and several other topics. You'll find our full discourse below.

OUR Q&A

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Cissell: Going into this past summer after I reopened my recruitment I didn’t really know what to expect and didn’t know how things would end up panning out but thankfully the more I played and performed it opened up the eyes of lots of recruiters which then provided me with the opportunity to play at many colleges. The things that were most important to me like, opportunity to play early, opportunity to make an impact on the program, play in one of the best conferences in the country and have a great developmental staff for me to play under.

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

Cissell: Distance wasn’t a huge role in the process, but the opportunity to stay home and represent my home state was a super unique opportunity to me, which I didn’t want to pass up.

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

Cissell: The recruiting process really started to pick up early this summer when the physicality, speed and power started to show. I felt like all the hard work I’ve put in for the last four years everyday started to show on the field which is when I started to gain more attention from college programs. Kerrick Jackson and his coaching staff came to see me play for the first time down in Atlanta. 

PBR: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Cissell: The biggest thing that won me over about Mizzou is the coaching staff and their belief in me. I think they’re going to do a great job leading the program into the right direction with the ultimate destination of Omaha. The environment of MU is great and I love the idea of representing my home state with the hopes to be a big part of this program in years to come.

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

Cissell: TCU and Indiana were in my top three, along with the school I ultimately made my decision to go to which was Mizzou. 

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

Cissell: LHP Kenton Deverman (Fort Zumwalt West, 2023; Evansville signee) was the toughest player i’ve faced. He was the hardest pitcher to figure out with his sequencing and the way he hid the ball with his delivery from the left side

PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

Cissell: I’ve always felt like I was able to play at the next level regardless of the fact if other people saw it in me. I’ve always felt like I had the talent and the work ethic to make it happen and I think this past summer is where my work finally paid off and it started to show in my game which I think is where I caught most of my attention from schools and organizations. 

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

Cissell: Have a goal, set plans in place to get there and work as hard as you possibly can to get there everyday. 

PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

Cissell: This past summer vs Canes National, game tying home run with two outs in the seventh. It was just a cool experience out in North Carolina with all your buddies just going out to compete. 

PBR: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

Cissell: I feel like Howell will be solid this year and have a chance to make it back to the final four. We will have a good mixture of underclassmen and seniors but our pitching will be better then it’s been in past years. It will also help that the seniors have had experience in that final four setting to prepare the underclassmen. 

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