Missouri Preseason All-State: Preview

Charles Bennett OF / Parkway South, MO / 2024

From 8/22/22: "...is a high level athlete in the state’s 2024 class, vaulting into the rankings at 52nd overall. Bennett was a winner at the St. Louis Top Prospect Games, blazing to a 6.67 60-yard dash while producing quality batted ball data (92.4 mph EV, 345 ft. peak) as well. Defensively, Bennett comfortably covers grass in the outfield with swift feet to pair."

Kody Brown C / Seckman, MO / 2024

From 9/27/22: "...was another winner from this event, showing well in multiple facets of his game. Brown, who also emerged the St. Louis Top Prospect Games back in June as a name-to-know, ran this event’s fastest 60-yard dash at 6.83 seconds. He took a clean round of batting practice, staying on the barrel while working back up the middle and to the pull-side on occasion. Brown averaged 89 mph per batted ball, the second-highest mark of this event, and peaked at 96.9 mph with a 366 ft. peak distance - the hardest and furthest of all 2024 prospects in attendance. He worked quickly and accurately to the bag from behind the plate during his workout, popping at a 1.98 on his best bullet at 75 mph. Brown is one of the top catching prospects in Missouri’s junior class."

Alex Bryan RHP / Francis Howell, MO / 2024

From 2/5/22:

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-10, 135-pounds. Lean and developing build with room for added strength and size in the future.
Delivery: Large rocker style footwork around the rubber with the plant foot sliding into place.  Works to a high balance point with a short sink into the lower half.  Gets strong push off the rubber with the back foot.  Works from the middle of the rubber and strides directionally down the center of the mound into a bent plant leg.  Front leg sweeps out down the slope into foot strike.  Short glove tap exchange out of the at the top of the delivery.  Good rhythm and tempo throughout the delivery.
Arm Action: RH. 3/4 arm slot with a short arm action.
FB: T83.5, 81.1-82.9 mph. Strong arm side running action working mostly to the arm side of the plate. T2096, 2056 average rpm.
CB: 69.5-70.7 mph. Short 10/4 shape with late break and some depth to the bottom of the zone at times. T2126, 2106 average rpm.
CH: 73.9-76.0 mph. Good arm side fading action with some downward depth. T2234, 2066 average rpm.

Jackson Carter OF / Fort Zumwalt East, MO / 2024

From 6/27/22: "...was going to dart his way to a state-high 60-yard dash entering the event and the 5-foot-11, 158-pound incoming junior delivered. Carter ran one of the fastest 60s we’ve seen to date, darting his way to a lightning quick 6.41 time on our lasers. It's a game-changing type of speed that, coupled with a short quick right-handed stroke, elevates Carter’s floor and ceiling in one. Defensively, Carter worked swiftly around the baseball to release and his hardest bullet registered at 88 mph."

Carter Cox LHP / Fort Zumwalt South, MO / 2024

From 6/7/22:

Body: 6-1, 190-pounds.
Delivery: Athletic drop and drive delivery, postured at balance point, stays in sync downhill, strides to target and finishes through release. Polished, tempod.
 Arm Action: Short and back arm draw out the glove, high 3/4 slot.
 FB: 82.5-83.6, T83.7 mph. Clean and easy out the hand, worked east-to-west with confidence. Strike-thrower. T2,287, 2,206 average rpm.
 CB: 68.4-71.9 mph. Played with more vertical spin than slider; strikes. T2,207, 2,194 average rpm.
 SL: 72.2-73 mph. Slurvey; more firm and lateral to slider. Strikes. T2,311, 2,207 average rpm.
 CH: 75.5 mph. Used sparingly. T1,809, 1,809 average rpm.

Brady Kehlenbrink LHP / Parkway South, MO / 2024

From 8/22/22: "...climbing over 10 spots after an upside showing at the Future Games...who’s now slotted at 12th overall. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound southpaw twirled a pair of quality frames, failing to allow a hit while punching out two. He ran his fastball up to 88 mph, sitting 85-87 mph from a controlled, low-effort operation. Kehlenbrink spun a mid-70s curveball around the zone for strikes and, on occasion, turned over an upper-70s changeup, too. A strong, athletic arm, Kehlenbrink figures to be one of the top left-handed arms in this class for the remainder of his high school career."

Charlie Kilcullin LHP / St. Dominic, MO / 2024

From 2/5/22:

Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 6-2, 195-pounds. Physical and projectable build with present strength.
Delivery: Works exclusively out of the stretch position.  Works to a high balance point with weight leaning back slightly on the heels and an upright posture.  Short sink into the lower half with strong push off the rubber.  Works from the far third base side of the rubber and strides directionally straight down the slope with heavy body rotation off the plant leg at release.  Hand breaks from the glove cleanly at the top of the delivery.
Arm Action: LH. High 3/4 arm slot with a very short arm action.
FB: T84.6, 75.1-84.4 mph. Very heavy arm side running action and good sink to the bottom at times. T2068, 1692 average rpm.
CB: 73.9-74.1 mph. Short and early break with short downward depth. T2025, 2016 average rpm.
SL: 74.5-77.2 mph. More of a cutter shape with short break and horizontal action. T2065, 2032 average rpm.
CH: 76.3-77.3 mph. Kills the spin efficiently with good hand speed and sell. T1470, 1418 average rpm.

Casen Murphy LHP / Park Hills Central, MO / 2024

Xander Schmitt C / Lafayette, MO / 2024

From 8/22/22: "..arguably the biggest winner of our entire summer circuit...became the first Missouri player to capture MVP honors at the Future Games. There, Schmitt went 7-for-7 with four doubles, two walks, and five steals, helping lead Team Missouri to a 2-1 record on the week. His ascent started at the St. Louis Top Prospect Games, where the 5-foot-11, 173-pound backstop clearly proved he was one of the best players there across a loaded field. Schmitt has tools across the board - 101.5 mph max exit velocity, 6.68 60-yard dash, 80 mph from the crouch, and 1.86-to-1.95 pop times. His ability to impact the game in multiple ways is evident, and Schmitt sticks out as the top uncommitted backstop on our updated board."

Brayden Schnurbusch RHP / Liberty, MO / 2024

Caide White RHP / Republic, MO / 2024

From 8/22/22: "...another winner from the Midwest Mavericks Scout Day that earned an invite to the Future Games, who debuts at 22nd overall. At 6-foot, 195-pounds with a strong lower half, White fired two scoreless innings in his start, punching out a pair and attacking hitters at will. He ran his fastball up to 89 mph, holding 86-88 mph from a long, over-the-top slot, and flipping a 73-75 mph breaking ball with sharp, downer spin to pair."

Ryker Benz 3B / Vianney, MO / 2025

From 6/7/22: "...committed to Oklahoma, Benz also strung together an impressive BP round at this event. Benz blasted a ball that traveled 365 feet at 96.5 mph, averaging 270 feet per batted ball and 91.1 mph off the barrel. He generated hard contact at a 77% clip, finding the sweet-spot 77% of the time at well. Benz’s knack for contact in the air, 55% line drive rate and 33.3% fly ball rate, is noteworthy given the thump he possesses."

Evan Damario C / Rockhurst, MO / 2025

From 2/5/22:

Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-11, 174-pounds. Athletic build with present strength.
Hit: RHH. Starts with a neutral stance with an athletic posture and hands getting set at shoulder height. Strong rocking load into the lower half.  Knee knock leg lift stride with good balance and control.  Loose hands with good bat speed.  Level bat path and a line drive approach with good extension and hands working inside the ball well.  Shows some strength at contact.  Maintains balance well throughout the swing.  Lower half works rotationally through the zone into a firm front leg.
Power: 88.7 max exit velocity, averaged 72.8 mph. 254’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. INF - 83 mph.  High 3/4 arm slot with a short arm action.
Defense: Behind the plate receives the ball a traditional set up and limited body movements.  Quick release on throws to second with lower half working in good direction to the bag.  Throws had good accuracy to the bag.  Shows good hip flexibility and upright posture on blocks.  In the infield attacks the ball with lateral routes and a feel for glove action and soft hands.  Shows the ability to field the ball on the move well and has clean and quick exchanges.
Run: 7.61 runner in the 60.

Delivery: Short and simple footwork around the rubber working to an easy pivot foot.  Works to a high balance point with weight leaning slightly back onto the heels.  Uptempo pace to the delivery.  Hand breaks from the glove at the top of the delivery with a high glove front side.  Works from the middle of the rubber and strides directionally down the center of the slope with good momentum headed towards the plate.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4 arm slot with a short arm action.
FB: T85.8, 84.9-85.6 mph. Mostly straight shape with good riding life through the zone. T2224, 2065 average rpm.
SL: 64.8-67.3 mph. Heavy downward depth with strong action. T2048, 2002 average rpm.
CH: 72.0-74.0 mph. Feel for command with straight shape and some downward depth. T1901, 1808 average rpm.

Leo Humbert OF / Francis Howell , MO / 2025

From 8/30/22: "...a star for runner-up Francis Howell this spring, Humbert impressed across multiple looks this year, now occupying the seventh on our updated board. Humbert played a pivotal role on the Vikings’ impressive season, batting .385 with a .494 on-base percentage over 160 plate appearances as a freshman. He’s one of the state’s toolsiest athletes and is capable of impacting the game in multiple ways as a result. Humbert thumped balls when we saw him this year, flew around the entire field, and threw a handful of runners out from center field, too. At 6-foot, 185-pounds, Humbert’s one of the top uncommitted position players in Missouri."

Nolan Jaworowski 1B / Vianney, MO / 2025

Trey Jozwiakowski 3B / Vianney, MO / 2025

From 8/30/22: "...rounding out the top 10, Jozwiakowsi has long been a high-end name in the state’s 2025 class and was one of the first players off the board, committing to Mizzou last May. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound sophomore consistently performs offensively when we see him, squaring the ball up off the barrel with authority. Jozwiakowski was one of the day’s top prospects at our Underclass Games in June, reaching a 96.6 mph max exit velocity with a 56% hard-hit rate, including a 337 foot peak batted ball. He translated that inherent strength to Creekside at the Super 15, performing there yet again with his travel team.

Peyton Kight OF / Jackson R2, MO / 2025

From 10/23/22: "...looks the part of an upside prospect in Missouri’s 2025 class. Kight, who stands at a highly projectable 6-foot-4, 180-pounds, whipped balls off his barrel to the pull-side throughout BP from a loose right-handed swing. The ease in which he worked coupled with the extension Kight created through the zone suggests a relatively intriguing power profile should he continue to tack on strength over the years. Kight showed a similarly loose presence in the outfield, working through the baseball and confidently covering ground. A former quarterback, Kight left this event a winner in our scouts’ eyes."

Ryan Kliethermes OF / Fort Zumwalt East, MO / 2025

Crew Norden C / Rock Bridge, MO / 2025

Carson Ramos C / Timberland , MO / 2025

From 6/7/22

Body: 6-0, 185-pounds.
Hit: Wide base. Open stance. Slight bend at the knees. Short stride. Short, level swing through the zone. Head stays on the ball. Worked on the barrel throughout his round. Used the whole field.
Power: 89.7 max exit velocity, averaged 82.2 mph. 
Arm: C - 73 mph. INF - 80 mph. INF: Short arm action, high 3/4 slot. C: Short arm action, high 3/4 slot. Flashed accuracy on throws.
Defense: 1.98-2.04 pop times. INF: Clean two handed gather out front. Balanced footwork. C: Caught off one knee. Steady hands. Soft block.
Run: 7.78 runner in the 60.

Jackson Vaughn OF / Francis Howell, MO / 2025

From 9/12/22: "...one of Missouri’s top prospects in the sophomore class, Vaughn impressed our staff yet again on Sunday. Vaughn’s feel to spray line drives to all fields is advanced for his age, and the ease in which he repeats a loose, rhythmic left-handed stroke is evident. He’ll impact the ball with more authority once he fills out a long-limbed 6-foot-2, 170-pound frame, making for a complete all-around offensive profile that you can pencil in towards the top of a lineup. Vaughn’s capable of sticking in centerfield down the road defensively, and the confidence in which he roams the outfield grass is clear.

Grant Mehrhoff LHP / Crosspoint Christian, MO / 2026

From 11/17/22: "...the 6-foot-1, 165-pound highly projectable southpaw has arm talent advanced his years, bumping his fastball up to 84 mph at an event this past winter, and we’ve heard reports that he’s climbed up higher than that in the recent months. There’s plenty to project on with Mehrhoff’s secondary pitches, primarily a sharply spun breaking ball and split-change that he showed our staff this past winter. The Louisville commit certainly has one of the highest ceilings on the mound in this class."

Brendan Pyle 3B / Fort Zumwalt East, MO / 2026

From 11/15/22: "...has one of the highest floors in this entire class and has consistently performed each time we’ve seen him. Pencil Pyle’s name atop any lineup he hits in for the next handful of years, as the 5-foot-10, 165-pound freshman repeats one of the cleanest right-handed swings in the state, comfortably barreling line drives to all fields. Pyle’s glove should stick on the infield moving forward with rhythmic feet and clean, sure-handed actions to pair. He’s certainly capable of helping a Fort Zumwalt East club that’s coming off a 5A state playoff berth make a trip back to Ozark in the coming years."