Like many kids who grow up playing sports, they all have the same goal: make it to the pros. While this goal seems attainable when you’re young, very few achieve it.

Ever since he could remember, Bryce Mayer, a Marthasville native, dreamt of playing professional baseball. This dream that he had since he started playing at age four is starting to become more of a reality for Mayer.

On July 16, Mayer was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 16th round of the MLB draft as the No. 493 pick. Mayer was one of 615 players to be drafted this year.

“I’ve always dreamed of playing baseball professionally and getting to where I am now,” Mayer said.

Mayer received the call at his aunt’s house in Marthasville. While he was torn whether or not he would accept or play another year with the Mizzou Tigers, he ultimately decided to take a chance on his dreams.

“The Astros have a really good history of drafting and developing players and getting them to the big leagues, so I think it was the perfect fit,” Mayer said.

Mayer has been playing baseball for as long as he can remember. The Marthasville Mayor David Lange, who also happens to be Mayer’s grandfather, recalls playing catch with him nearly everyday when Mayer was younger.

“We’d watch him after school and the first thing he wanted to do was play catch,” Lange said. “He’d come in my office and he would say papa I got your glove, here’s your glove, come on let’s go play catch.”

Lange went to almost every single high school game, even getting a speeding ticket one time on his way to Mayer’s game after watching his other grandson play.

“I worked with him quite a bit in my backyard. When he got older and threw harder, I couldn’t catch him anymore,” Lange recalled with a laugh.

Mayer played baseball at St. Francis Borgia High School in Washington and led them to a state championship his junior year, which he stated was one of his favorite memories from his career.

After high school, Mayer played two years at St. Charles Community College and two years at the University of Missouri.

He played in the Appalachian League the summer after his freshman year and was named the league’s Pitcher of the Year and on the All-Appalachian League team. At St. Charles, Mayer was named to the All-MCCAC team twice.

Mayer is a right-hand pitcher. During his senior year at Mizzou, he struck out 57 players and walked 23 in 53 1⁄3 innings.

After Mayer was drafted, he flew down to Houston and signed with the Astros. Afterwards, he flew to Palm Beach, Florida and started training camp, where he has been practicing for a little over a week now.

Around next April, Mayer will be sent out to one of their minor league teams.

“I don’t think it’s fully set in yet being down here in Florida,” Mayer said.

Mayer hopes to make the big leagues not only for himself, but for his community as well.

“Obviously that’d be a cool thing for me personally and for my family, but there’s been several other local guys that have played professionally,” Mayer said. “I’d like to join that group and make a name for myself.”