These area standouts were projected to be drafted. They’re heading to college
.png "Aledo’s Lucas Nawrocki (left), Keller’s Cole Koeninger (middle) and Grapevine’s Jorvorskie Lane Jr. (right) are heading to college baseball.")
Three of the Fort Worth-area’s best high school baseball players went undrafted and are college bound: Aledo’s Lucas Nawrocki, Keller’s Cole Koeninger and Grapevine’s Jorvorskie Lane Jr.
That comes as a bit of a surprise, as all three prospects were projected to be taken in the MLB draft.
Nawrocki heads to LSU
Nawrocki, a left-handed pitcher and the 2026 Star-Telegram Player of the Year, was projected by ESPN to be selected with the 91st overall pick. He announced his intention to play for LSU on Friday, one day before the draft.
“After much conversation with my family and those close to me, I have decided to withdraw my name from the 2026 MLB Draft.,” Nawrocki wrote on Instagram. “See you in Baton Rouge. Let’s work!”
Nawrocki was the focal point in Aledo’s area leading success in Class 5A Division I and led the Bearcats to consecutive state championships with two-way dominance.
In limited plate appearances, Nawrocki hit .513 with 39 hits, nine home runs and 49 RBIs. On the mound, he went 12-0 with a 0.63 ERA, striking out 134 batters in 66 1/3 innings while touching 94 mph with his fastball.
Lane Jr. heads to Arkansas
Over the past four seasons, Lane Jr. built one of the best resumes in the Fort Worth-area.
As a sophomore, he led Fort Worth Wyatt to the playoffs for the first time in 52 years. He was projected by ESPN to be selected with the 204th pick. He has the talent and tools to play a variety of positions, including catcher and outfield.
Lane took to Instagram Sunday night following the draft, posting a picture of himself in an Arkansas jersey with a home and heart emojis. He’ll play for the Razorbacks in 2027, according to the Southwest Times Record.
Lane is the son of former Texas A&M running back Jorvorskie Lane, who holds the Aggies’ career rushing touchdown record. He transferred to Grapevine High School ahead of his senior season.
At one point, he was predicted to be a first round pick; he’ll have plenty of opportunity to hone his craft against SEC competition with Arkansas, a program that has reached the College World Series 12 times.
Koeninger heads to Tennessee
Koeninger went through the draft process, but ultimately, he decided to head to Knoxville, Tennessee.
He told On3 his intentions to play college baseball Sunday. Koeninger, the 2026 Star-Telegram pitcher of the year, led Keller to its first state championship, battling through Texas’ largest division: Class 6A Division I.
Koeninger, a right-handed pitcher, was projected to be taken with the 107th pick by ESPN. At the plate, Koeninger hit .432 with 64 hits, nine home runs, 30 RBIs and 34 stolen bases. He was just as productive for Keller on the mound with a 1.13 ERA and 138 strikeouts in 80 1/3 innings.
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