Vote for the Monroe area's all-time best high school baseball player

For decades, multiple standout high school baseball players have hailed from Monroe and its surrounding areas. But who are the greatest baseball players to come from the 318?

That's where you, the Monroe News-Star readers, come in.

LHSAA baseball: How the Monroe area excelled during the championships in Sulphur

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY Sports will celebrate the 250 greatest American sports figures of all time. Alongside that national recognition, the USA TODAY Network will spotlight the roots of the country’s sports culture: the high school athletes and sports figures who shaped communities and defined their states.

Below is a poll containing some of the Monroe area's greatest high school baseball players, as well as a brief summary of their contributions to the game. There's also a write-in option in the poll for readers to name more local standouts.

Wayne Causey, Neville

The Ruston-born left-handed hitter graduated from Neville in 1955 and played 11 MLB seasons with five teams, compiling a .252 average, 819 hits, 35 home runs, 285 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. Causey finished 21st in American League MVP voting in 1963 and 24th in 1964, hitting eight home runs in both of those seasons.

Chuck Finley, West Monroe

The five-time MLB All-Star and Los Angeles Angels Hall of Famer played 17 professional seasons with three teams, mostly with the then-California Angels from 1986-99. Finley compiled a 200-173 record with a 3.85 ERA and 2,610 strikeouts and holds numerous Angels franchise records, including games started (379), wins (165), losses (140) and innings pitched (2,675). Finley was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.

Jacob Pearson, West Monroe

Pearson was the Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year during his senior season with the Rebels after compiling a .519 average, 12 home runs, 41 RBIs and 53 runs scored. West Monroe played in the Class 5A championship that spring but lost 4-2 to Central (BR). Pearson was drafted in the third round out of high school by the Angels and played six seasons in the minor leagues.

Shane Reynolds, Ouachita Christian

A three-time All-State honoree with the Eagles, Reynolds was drafted in the third round by the Houston Astros in 1989 and played 13 seasons for three teams, mainly with the Astros from 1992-2002. The righty compiled a 114-96 record, a 4.09 ERA and 1,403 strikeouts. Reynolds is an Astros and Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer and made the All-Star team in 2000.

Brandon Watts, Ruston

Watts is another Gatorade Player of the Year from northeast Louisiana, taking home the honors during his senior season in 1991. The lefty was drafted out of high school in the seventh round by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1991. Watts played six seasons in the Dodgers farm and appeared in Double-A for two seasons.

This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: A look at the Monroe area's greatest high school baseball players