Being selected in the MLB draft has been a long-awaited moment for Joshua Flores.

When the time actually came Monday, the 2025 Lake Central graduate understood what that meant.

“This has been a dream of mine since I was a child,” Flores said Tuesday. “I’m taking it all in, but I also have to be ready because I’m going to be away from my family and living on my own for the first time.

“I’m definitely nervous, but I’m also very excited to enter this next stop of my life.”

Indeed, Flores intends to forgo college and sign a professional contract after the Milwaukee Brewers drafted the 6-foot-1, 205-pound right-hander in the fourth round with the 125th overall pick. He had committed to Kentucky.

Also drafted was 2025 Kankakee Valley graduate Alex Barr, a left-handed pitcher whom the Oakland Athletics took in the 12th round. The Indiana recruit is the first Kankakee Valley player to be drafted.

As undrafted free agents, 2021 Andrean graduate Cameron Nohos, a right-handed pitcher, reportedly signed with San Diego Padres after playing for Illinois-Chicago, and 2022 Andrean graduate Peyton Niksch, a right-handed pitcher, reportedly signed with the Milwaukee Brewers after playing for Kankakee Community College.

Flores, who can hit 97 mph with his fastball, went 7-0 with a 2.76 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 38 innings for Lake Central (25-6) last season. That strikeout rate of nearly two per inning is noteworthy.

“You don’t see that type of talent in high school pitchers very often,” Lake Central coach Mike Swartzentruber said. “That’s definitely why he went so high.”

Flores is the third Lake Central player drafted by the Brewers within weeks of graduation in as many years, joining former infielder Josh Adamczewski in 2023 and right-hander Griffin Tobias in 2024. Adamczewski and Tobias both went pro and are teammates on the Carolina Mudcats in Class A.

Tobias, who was teammates with Flores on Lake Central’s 2024 state championship team, said Flores was consistently searching for ways to build a skill set that would allow his baseball career to continue beyond high school.

“When I was there last summer, he was always asking me questions about what he needed to do,” Tobias said. “He just wants it. He has that ‘go get it’ mentality, and he’s excited to take on the next challenge.”

Flores said he benefited from Tobias’ tutelage during their time together at Lake Central.

“The biggest thing was just being confident on the mound,” Flores said. “Griffin had confidence and composure when he was pitching – he was dominant – and that was my mindset going into games this year, to walk out there like I was the best guy on the field and be dominant.”

Flores said an unexpected interaction with a scout during a 2024 game against LaPorte helped him realize that a professional career could be in his future. Tobias was the starting pitcher in that game, and as Flores began warming up for a relief appearance, he noticed some scouts heading for the exits.

“I threw a fastball in the bullpen, and a scout heard the pop of the glove,” Flores said. “He turned around and asked what my name was, and then he went back to his seat to watch me pitch.”

Flores said his phone has been popping just as loud in the hours since his name was called in the draft.

“I definitely had to turn my phone off for a little bit on Monday and again this morning when I was working out,” he said. “I answered most of them, especially the ones on social media, because I had a bunch of people reach out. But I’m very blessed and very grateful for everyone who I have in my life.”

Flores said he’ll be ready to begin his pro career this weekend.

“I felt like getting in front of those people earlier is going to help me skyrocket my game,” he said. “I’m definitely excited to get down there and get to work.

“All I want to do is just play baseball and get better.”

Dave Melton is a freelance reporter.