Iowa
Several Iowa High School Baseball Standouts Selected In MLB Draft
A number of Iowa high school baseball standouts were selected during the 2026 Major League Baseball draft. The amateur draft was conducted July 11-12, 2026 from the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Gable Mitchell, Kaleb LaFavor, Caleb Klein, Sam George, Nate Smithburg and Kooper Schulte each heard their names called during the draft.
Gable Mitchell Was Two-Way Star For Iowa City High
Mitchell, an Iowa City High grad, was picked in the eighth round with the 193rd overall pick by the Toronto Blue Jays. He played his collegiate baseball at the University of Iowa after batting .466 with 12 extra-base hits, 55 runs scored, 29 RBI and 25 steals, going 5-0 with a 0.95 earned run average and 18 strikeouts as a senior.
In high school, Mitchell was an all-stater in baseball and earned all-conference honors on the football field. His grandfather is Dan Gable, an Olympic wrestling gold medalist who led the Hawkeyes to 15 NCAA championships.
Kaleb LaFavor Lone Current Iowa High School Baseball Player Selected
LaFavor, currently a senior at Sioux City Bishop Heelan High School, was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 10th round with the 304th pick. He has gone 3-1 with 40 strikeouts and a 0.79 earned run average in just under 18 innings on the mound this summer.
Klein, a Western Dubuque High School prep, played at Southeastern Community College and Southeast Missouri. He helped lead the Bobcats to back-to-back Class 3A Iowa High School Athletic Association State Baseball Tournament championships.
During his senior season at Western Dubuque, Klein hit .414 with nine doubles, seven triples, 49 runs scored and 30 RBI, stealing 20 bases. He went to the Atlanta Braves with the 442nd pick in the 15th round.
Several Former Iowa High School Baseball Players Hear Their Names Called
George, a former Pleasant Valley High School standout, played for Minnesota State University this past spring and was picked by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 19th round with the No. 581 overall selection.
In his final high school season with the Spartans, he struck out 62 batters in 44 innings, putting together a 2.07 earned run average.
Smithburg was picked by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 18th round with the 533rd pick after playing at Fairfield High School and for the Oklahoma Sooners.
As a senior, Smithburg went 6-1 with 83 strikeouts and a 0.43 earned run average in 47 innings pitched on the mound.
Schulte, who played at New London High School, played collegiately at Central Arizona, Southeastern Community College and for the Iowa Hawkeyes. He was selected by the New York Mets in the 20th round with the 600th pick overall.
He was an all-stater for New London in 2022, helping lead them to a state baseball championship that same season. As a senior, Schulte hit .444 with six home runs, 13 doubles, 50 runs scored, 44 RBI and nine steals, recording three saves and 29 strikeouts in just over 14 innings pitched.
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Grow your lettuce at home during cyclospora outbreak
Worried about cyclospora? Follow these steps to grow your own hydroponic lettuce at home.
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has added a new dashboard to monitor outbreaks of cyclospora infections after the CDC expanded the outbreak to include Iowa and five other states.
In a previous update, HHS said that 47 of the state’s 2026 infections were in patients who had traveled internationally and linky acquired the infection outside of the United States.
How many cyclospora infections have been reported in Iowa?
So far, 272 infections have been reported in 2026 — a number expected to increase as the HHS continues to investigate. That is more than 200 cases above 2025, when 69 cases were confirmed.
The bulk of new laboratory-confirmed infections happened the week of July 5, with more than 100 cases logged.
Iowa confirmed 46 new cases since the previous update on July 30. The infection has been reported in 7 additional counties, reaching a total of 55 of Iowa’s 99 counties.
Where can I find Iowa HHS’ new weekly cyclospora report?
The HHS will release a new weekly cyclospora report on its Disease Information dashboard, which also has information on measels, West Nile and other diseases.
Where are most cyclosporiasis cases in Iowa?
While Iowa HHS’s weekly report does not break down exact totals for each county, it does provide a range. The majority of cases are occuring in the Des Moines metro area.
Dallas County has the highest number of cases, reporting between 51 and 70 cases. Polk County has reported 31 to 50 cases. Warren County has 11-30 cases.
In western Iowa, Pottawattamie County has also reported 11-30 cases. All other counties have 10 or fewer cases.
What are the cyclosporiasis symptoms to watch for?
The parasitic infection can cause explosive diarrhea, cramping, nausea, fatigue and other symptoms. Officials are probing whether a food or produce item is the source of a surge in cases of cyclosporiasis.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said symptoms can appear two days to two weeks after someone is infected with the parasite. The organization also issued a health alert to doctors, other medical providers and public health officials about the outbreak.
What’s happening nationally with cyclosporiasis?
The largest outbreak has been linked to iceberg lettuce grown by produce giant Taylor Farms in central Mexico, prompting the company to initiate a recall on July 17. Iowa is one of 15 states with cases linked to lettuce, the CDC said on Aug. 4.
Cases have been reported in 47 states, with a large number of cases reported in Michigan and Ohio.
Federal health authorities are still investigating the sources of what they believe to be multiple separate outbreaks.
Is cyclosporiasis caused by produce? What to know about possible sources
People often get sick with cyclosporiasis by consuming water or food contaminated with feces, according to the CDC. Oftentimes, the cyclospora parasite spreads through produce.
How to reduce risk of cyclosporiasis
Besides potentially avoiding certain food items altogether, people can take other steps to reduce the risk of contracting cyclosporiasis, such as cooking fruits and vegetables and immediately refrigerating prepared produce.
To reduce the risk of foodborne illness from produce, the CDC recommends taking the following measures:
- Wash your hands with soap and water when handling raw fruits and vegetables.
- Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting or cooking.
- Fruits and vegetables that are labeled “prewashed” do not need to be washed again at home.
- Scrub firm fruits and vegetables, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
- Remove any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating.
- Refrigerate cut, peeled or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible.
Lucia Cheng is a service and trending reporter at the Des Moines Register. Contact her at lcheng@gannett.com or 515-284-8132.
The final chapter for the Iowa high school baseball season is now closed, as the High School On SI Iowa all-state teams have been announced.
Four state champions were crowned late in July during the Iowa High School Athletic Association State Baseball Tournament, and the High School On SI Iowa Baseball Top 25 State Rankings were also given one final publication.
Selections for the all-state baseball teams were based on in-season performance, postseason play, stats, all-district and all-conference honors, input from coaches, and statewide coverage throughout the season.
High School On SI Iowa has compiled three teams – first, second and third – in each of the four classifications of high school baseball. The High School On SI Iowa softball all-state teams were previously announced.
Captains Announced For Each Class Of Iowa High School Baseball
Earning captain status for their respective classes were Cal Jepsen of Sioux City East, Nolan Dittmer from Davenport Assumption, JJ Phillips of Pleasantville and Cal Heydon from Coon Rapids-Bayard.
Here are the High School On SI Iowa all-state baseball teams:
High School On SI Iowa All-State Baseball Teams
Class 4A
First Team
Cal Jepsen, Sioux City East, Senior
Kal Chamberlain, Sioux City East, Senior
George Blake, Indianola, Junior
Tru McBride, Fort Dodge, Junior
Bo Blake, Indianola, Junior
Ryan Stedman, West Des Moines Valley, Senior
Charlie Sarsfield, Linn-Mar, Junior
Brandon Bea, Davenport North, Senior
Evan Schmierer, Iowa City Liberty, Senior
Second Team
Bohdy Colling, Sioux City East, Senior
Brayden Moore, Waukee, Senior
Lincoln Dalton, Pleasant Valley, Senior
Xavier Perez, Cedar Rapids Prairie, Junior
Reid Miller, Waukee Northwest, Senior
Gavin DeJesus, Waukee, Senior
Bryce Pauly, Davenport North, Senior
Kason Clayborne, Sioux City East, Junior
Zach Benge, Indianola, Senior
Third Team
Matt Meeker, Waukee, Junior
Tait Tierney, Cedar Rapids Prairie, Senior
Bo Marsh, Fort Dodge, Junior
Trent Grevengoed, West Des Moines Valley, Senior
Callan Koch, Sioux City East, Sophomore
Brooks Bond, Lewis Central, Sophomore
Lincoln Berding, Mason City, Senior
Ty Donels, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Senior
Maxim Mincks, Johnston, Senior
Class 3A
First Team
Nolan Dittmer, Davenport Assumption, Senior
Brett Harris, Western Dubuque, Senior
JP Elbert, Dubuque Wahlert Catholic, Junior
Drake Hinson, Nevada, Senior
Brooks McCarty, MOC-Floyd Valley, Senior
Lincoln Norris, Knoxville, Junior
Kaleb LaFavor, Sioux City Bishop Heelan, Senior
Beau Morio, Cedar Rapids Xavier, Junior
Owen Johnson, Carlisle, Senior
Second Team
Quinn Flanagan, Dubuque Wahlert Catholic, Sophomore
Chris Meyer, Independence, Senior
Josh Ringler, Grinnell, Junior
Brady Rissman, Western Dubuque, Sophomore
Noah Davies, Boone, Senior
Jacob Pierro, Dubuque Wahlert Catholic, Sophomore
Elijah Scott, Marion, Junior
Bryce Burke, North Polk, Senior
Tate Garman, Algona, Senior
Third Team
Reed Smith, Winterset, Senior
Kam Jorgensen, Saydel, Senior
Valley Davis, Humboldt, Senior
Gehrig Tibbitts, Waverly-Shell Rock, Senior
Isaiah Scott, Marion, Senior
Luke Young, Clear Creek-Amana, Junior
Jake North, Oskaloosa, Senior
Thomas Mikkelsen, Creston, Junior
Owen Galvin, Denison-Schleswig, Senior
Class 2A
First Team
JJ Phillips, Pleasantville, Junior
Judd Jirovsky, Grundy Center, Senior
Brayden Kennedy, Pleasantville, Junior
Jackson Green, Cascade, Junior
Will Litton, Iowa City Regina Catholic, Junior
Colby Gast, Durant, Senior
Reece Blaisdell, Roland-Story, Sophomore
Dylan Bosma, Unity Christian, Senior
Ryker Adair, Underwood, Senior
Second Team
Logan Roff, Pleasantville, Senior
Brody Otting, Cascade, Senior
Noah Kluesner, Dyersville Beckman Catholic, Sophomore
Aiden Frey, Roland-Story, Junior
Austin Strong, Van Meter, Senior
Lincoln Roethler, Denver, Junior
Luke Jordan, Grand View Christian, Junior
Abram Decena, Centerville, Sophomore
Easton Cox, Pleasantville, Junior
Third Team
Colton O’Neill, Waukon, Senior
Kale Murphy, Interstate-35, Junior
Cayden Courtney, Cardinal, Senior
Austin Hall, Unity Christian, Senior
Tyler Smith, Cascade, Senior
Jake Knoll, Roland-Story, Junior
Ryan Fletcher, Underwood, Sophomore
Sam Underberg, West Lyon, Senior
Blake Byrtue, Ridge View, Senior
Class 1A
First Team
Cal Heydon, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Senior
Macklin Loftus, Logan-Magnolia, Sophomore
Travis White, Martensdale-St. Marys, Senior
Kale Moore, Moravia, Junior
Braiden Todd, South Winneshiek, Senior
Colton Wight, Martensdale-St. Marys, Senior
Porter Schwiesow, Saint Ansgar, Sophomore
Liam Thompson, North Linn, Sophomore
West Cole, Mason City Newman Catholic, Junior
Second Team
Carson Seals, Moravia, Senior
Jaiden Richards, Lynnville-Sully, Senior
Waylon Raue, North Linn, Junior
Anthony Schnable, Saint Ansgar, Sophomore
Ty Heydon, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Junior
Chase Clarahan, Sigourney, Junior
Brody Wangsness, North Butler, Senior
Dalton Klein, Remsen St. Mary’s, Sophomore
Mason Hoyt, Iowa Valley, Junior
Third Team
Will Sommerfelt, North Linn, Junior
Blake Ewing, Moravia, Junior
Landon Howe, Kingsley-Pierson, Senior
Connor Mullenbach, Saint Ansgar, Senior
Colton Moffit, Baxter, Senior
Brad Meister, Bishop Garrigan, Sophomore
Thomas McGuire, Mason City Newman, Junior
Aiden Hellman, Don Bosco, Junior
Austin Boege, Collins-Maxwell, Senior
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