LAWRENCE — There can be a lot of uncertainty, when a college baseball coaching staff looks ahead to the MLB draft.

Kansas head coach Dan Fitzgerald remarked how, while it’s exciting to know they have multiple players in contention to be selected this year in July, it’s akin to a guessing game as they look to form their roster for next season. Someone who is committed, or set to return to the team, might choose to turn pro instead of play in college for them. He remembered how there was a junior college prospect named Beau Brewer, who the New York Yankees picked up in the 19th round of the 2022 MLB draft, who they had to end up replacing at KU.

Fitzgerald pointed back to how, when he was an assistant coach at Dallas Baptist, the team earned a commitment from a high school prospect named Justin Lange. Lange’s development increased rapidly prior to making the jump to college, and he emerged as a high-profile pitching prospect. The San Diego Padres selected him with the 34th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, and Fitzgerald and his fellow coaches now had to replace someone who didn’t reach the second round.

But the pride for what’s possible for his players remains regardless, as Fitzgerald anticipates what they could enjoy in about a month. As he thought about which players could hear their names called, both those whose college careers are over and those who could be at KU next season, names came to mind with ease. It’s not just Kodey Shojinaga, a sophomore infielder/catcher this past season, who is a name to know.

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Here’s a look at some of the players Kansas baseball fans should watch out for:

Kodey Shojinaga

Fitzgerald said if Shojinaga wants to start his professional career, that opportunity will be there. It’s just hard to know when and where. Although Fitzgerald said he thinks there are a number of teams who consider Shojinaga as a catcher at the next level, nothing has been decided.

Shojinaga is someone Fitzgerald said has bat-to-ball skills that are tough to teach, which make Shojinaga an intriguing prospect. Not all tools for a position player are valued the same, and this one matters a lot. Shojinaga earned multiple All-Big 12 Conference honors as a freshman, including co-freshman of the year, before being an All-Big 12 second team honoree as a sophomore when he led the team in hits.

Hunter Cranton

Hunter Cranton was a redshirt senior right-handed pitcher for Kansas this past season. The All-Big 12 honorable mention pick finished with a 4-3 record and 2.16 ERA in 25 appearances. Fitzgerald said Cranton is a certain draft pick for many teams, but not necessarily for others.

Cranton served as a relief pitcher for the Jayhawks, but Fitzgerald explained not all MLB teams look at relief pitchers the same. The value differs, as it can for high school players in general. So, it’s tough to predict what Cranton’s future might be.

Michael Brooks

Michael Brooks, a redshirt junior infielder this past season, is someone Fitzgerald has said has had to deal with injury. However, Brooks was still an All-Big 12 honorable mention and thrived at Kansas. He started all 37 of the games he played and had a .331 batting average.

Evan Shaw

Evan Shaw was a junior left-handed pitcher this past season. Although he had a 5.10 ERA, he did have a 3-1 record with 10 starts in 18 appearances. His stellar performance in a Big 12 tournament win against Kansas State this year is one example of why it might be time he could turn pro.

Jake English

Jake English, a senior catcher this past season, represented Kansas on the All-Big 12 first team. While starting 53 of his 54 appearances, he finished with a batting average of .318 and led the team in home runs. He also led the team in runs batted in.

John Nett

John Nett, a senior outfielder, is someone Fitzgerald said a lot of scouts have liked. Nett led the team with a .352 batting average and tied for the lead in runs scored. He’s another All-Big 12 honorable mention pick from this past season.

Don’t forget about these players

Senior right-handed pitcher Reese Dutton was an All-Big 12 second team talent who was one of the Jayhawks’ regular starters. Ben Hartl was another All-Big 12 honorable mention and a junior catcher/first baseman. And they aren’t the only ones to also think about.

Fitzgerald also mentioned junior right-handed pitcher Ethan Lanthier, redshirt junior right-handed pitcher J’Briell Easley and junior right-handed pitcher Tegan Cain as among those who are hopeful of getting drafted. That doesn’t include incoming recruits Kansas has. Fitzgerald is also hopeful for redshirt senior infielder Collier Cranford.

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: 2024 MLB Draft: These Kansas baseball players are names to know