From July 27th to July 30th, the Prep Baseball Report staff hosted the PBR Future Games at the state-of-the-art LakePoint Sports Complex in Emerson, Georgia.

This one-of-a-kind event featured the best uncommitted Class of 2024 prospects and select 2025 prospects from our 40-plus state coverage area and Canada. In years past, more than 330 college coaches from all over the country were in attendance.

Team Missouri had one of the event's top showings, posting a 2-1 record throughout the week while playing against consistent high-end uncommitted talent across the country. The accolades for Team Missouri have continued rolling in after the event, with a member of the squad capturing Future Games MVP honors and several players already committing, too.

Today, our staff sat down with RHP John-Paul Sauer (Jackson, 2024), who was arguably the top pitching prospect and performer for Team Missouri. Sauer toed the rubber on the final day, punching out six batters across two nearly flawless innings and, without question, turning heads during and after his pair of frames. Shortly afterwards, Sauer rose to No. 7 overall on our state's 2024 rankings and recently committed to Tulane.

We sat down with Sauer and spoke about several things related to the Future Games, including his experience at the event, among other topics. You'll find that conversation below.

 

OUR Q&A

PBR: What did you think about the Future Games coming into the event? Had you heard anything about the event prior to attending?

Sauer: I heard nothing but good things about the future games leading up to competing down there. I was excited to receive my invite and see what kind of talent that each state had to offer.  

P: Describe your experience at LakePoint for the Future Games. What was it like to compete against top-end talent from across the country in an atmosphere that featured so many college coaches?

S: The atmosphere at LakePoint was unlike anything that I had ever competed in. The stands we’re packed with scouts from this SEC school or this team that was in Omaha last year. I was very glad to compete and do well at the games but just being there, watching the high level baseball that was being played was an unbelievable experience on its own.

P: What was it like to represent the state of Missouri at this event?

S: It was an experience that I will always be very lucky to be apart of. The amount of relationships that I built with kids from all of over Missouri was awesome.  

P: What was the outreach of schools like for you after you attended the Future Games?

S: The recruiting process quickly changed after my appearance at Future Games. I was pleased to receive a number of calls within the next couple weeks. This was all due to the exposure I had at the tournament.

P: Do you have a memorable moment from the Future Games? Is there a certain game, play, performance milestone, etc. that you specifically remember?

S: The game I pitched against Team Carolina will always be one of my favorite performances. Going 2ip with 6ks was beyond what I thought I could do down there. From the tense pressure of the rain and talent I was facing, it felt nice to find a groove and just throw, resulting in a quality start for me.

P: Which players on Team Missouri, in particular, stood out to you throughout the event?

S: I felt like Team MO was one of the top teams down at the Future Games. Everyone played solid baseball with many standing out. C Xander Schmitt (Lafayette, 2024; Kansas) goes 7-for-7 with MVP honors and was a great kid to be around. INF Grant Hollister (Blue Springs South, 2024; Michigan) and 1B Jackson Glueck (Staley, 2024) hit the ball very well, including home run shots for both. LHP Brady Kehlenbrink (Parkway South, 2024) looked the part on the mound with a natural lefty motion up to 88 mph.

P: Congratulations on your commitment! What led you to committing to your eventual school and is there anything about the coaching staff, program, etc in particular.

S: It was a very tough decision because of how many schools reached out that I could see myself at. Tulane won me over even before I took my visit. It really felt like the best fit for me - high academic school, coaching staff that I and the people I looked up to trusted. On the visit I was comfortable committing right then due to how unique of an opportunity it was. The city, the school and the baseball. The Tulane program has a tradition of being successful which I hope to help continue once I’m down there.

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