Northwest Missouri community sends one of its own off to spring training

FAUCETT, Mo. (KQTV) -- Johnna Mae's in nearby Faucett, Missouri, has a drive-thru. Meaning, if they so chose, community members could've stayed warm inside their cars while grabbing a meal on chilly nights like Thursday's.

Instead, they turned up, full force, to brave the short walk from the parking lot into the dine-in area to send off one of their own.

A 2025 16th-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles, Mid-Buchanan alumnus Denton Biller already has a bit of professional experience, but his first full pro season is still in front of him. His community was not about to let him leave without wishing him well.

"It was just so amazing seeing all the community members come out and support him..." said Cali Wheeler, daughter of Johnna, who owns the restaurant. "Knowing they've kind of followed his journey through high school and college. That's pretty awesome to see. As well as bringing some new customers to see kind of what we're about."

A side-effect of inviting locals to the restaurant to see him off -- extra business for Johnna Mae's, something Denton's mother was happy to see.

"Through the years of baseball and from high school on, this family's been so super supportive of even all the sports in the community, and particularly my son Denton, through the years of baseball," said Biller's mother, Stacie Biller. "So we wanted to bring business to them and recognition and just thank them for everything they've done."

Johnna Mae's support for Biller was obvious.

A Baltimore Orioles flag hung next to a Mid-Buchanan Dragons one outside.

Inside, another Orioles banner. Above it -- an extra special piece of memorabilia.

A bat sporting Denton's signature, with printed text highlighting his time at Mid-Buchanan and his selection by the Baltimore Orioles.

"We always knew, you know, that was going to be an amazing ball player, no matter where it takes him in life," said Johnna Wheeler, owner of Johnna Mae's."So we had that particular bat made for him and one for the restaurant. So it's a good talking point for our customers that come in and notice that, and we get to talk about the family and Denton's journey."

As Biller prepares for that next major step forward, his first full pro season, his mother, Stacie, took a moment to reflect.

"Super happy for him," she said. "We just -- lots of mixed emotions. Being a parent, I'm just I'm sad to see him go from us, but I'm super happy for him to live his life and it's his dream that he's just worked so hard for. So just lots of emotions."

Biller's slated to head down to minor league camp this weekend.