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Prep Baseball Report Missouri's All-State Teams

June 16, 2011

By Mike Rosenbaum

 
The 2011 spring high school season saw many players enjoy incredible years. Some were expected, some not. For Prep Baseball Report Missouri’s first All-State awards, we have composed three teams that cover all enrollment classifications. Certain positions were loaded with standouts, especially catcher. Since there were so many catchers who had impressive seasons, we’ve added a second catcher on the second and third teams.   
Although it was extremely hard to pick, here are the Prep Baseball Report’s 2011 All-State teams
 
Player of the Year: Johnny Eierman, Warsaw, Sr.
The 6-foot, 195-pound shortstop was the No. 1 ranked player going into the season, and did not disappoint. Eierman (right) punished opposing pitching, batting .571 with 10 home runs, 10 doubles, and 3 triples, while driving in 33 runs. Eierman was also a perfect 24-for-24 in stolen base attempts and posted a 1.286% slugging percentage. Committed to LSU, Eierman was drafted in the third-round (119 overall) in the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
 
Prep Baseball Report First-Team All-State
 
LHP: Tyler Burgess, Webb City, Sr. – The Missouri State signee did everything and more for Webb City this past season. Burgess was 8-2 with seven complete games and five shutouts. In 73 innings, Burgess fanned 119 batters while walking only 22. The Southpaw consistently hit mid- to upper-80s on the gun this year, making him one of the harder throwing left-handers in Missouri. 
 
RHP: Brett Graves, Francis Howell, Sr. – The 6-foot-1, 170-pound ace for the Class 4A State Champions Francis Howell Vikings, had a year to remember. The Gatorade Player of the Year in Missouri went 9-1 with a 1.95 ERA. Also the team’s starting shortstop, Graves hit for a .441 average, with 6 HR and 35 RBI’s. Graves now has a tough decision to make: continue his baseball career at the University of Missouri or start his professional career after the St. Louis Cardinals drafted him in the 26th Round.
   
RHP: John Miles, Rock Bridge, Sr. – As the ace of what was arguably the state’s deepest starting rotation, Miles was 6-0 with two complete games and a 1.14 ERA. He struck out 61 and walked just seven batters over 43 innings this spring. He turned a lot of heads when he out-dueled Francis Howell’s Brett Graves with nearly a dozen college and MLB scouts in attendance. He has committed to play baseball next year for his hometown Missouri Tigers.
 
LHP: Sasha Kuebel, SLUH, Sr. – A fixture on the Junior Billikens’ staff for several years now, Sasha was the undisputed ace on this year’s team, which finished the regular season undefeated and atop the PBR Top 25 rankings in Missouri. Kuebel went 6-1 for the year, posting a 1.98 ERA with 69 punch-outs in 53 innings pitched. A 31st Round selection by the Oakland Athletics, Kuebel has committed to play at the University of Iowa next year.
 
C: Matt Fultz, Lee’s Summit West, Jr.*  
 
C: Darin Francis, Parkview, Sr – The Parkview backstop, who’s committed to Missouri State University, hit .309 with 6 doubles, 3 home runs and 21 RBI this spring. One of the state’s more well-rounded catchers, Francis also scored 33 runs, walked 15 times and stole 19 bases. 
 
1B: Mike Ehrhard, CBC, Sr. – A Southeast Missouri State signee, Ehrhard was one of Missouri’s premier power hitters this spring. Playing for last year’s Class 4A state champion CBC Cadets, the right-handed slugger carried the offense all season with a .471/.588.897 slash line, 7 2B, 10 HR and 45 RBI.
 
MIF: Ryan Phillips, Rock Bridge, Jr. – One of the states most exciting two-way players, Phillips had another stellar season both at shortstop and on the mound for the Bruins. At the plate, Phillips hit .473 with 43 hits, 2 home runs and 22 RBI. Already the most successful pitcher in school history, Phillips added to his masterful prep pitching portfolio by going 7-0 with a 1.26 ERA. The right-hander fanned 52 hitters in 40 innings. He has verbally committed to the University of Missouri.
 
MIF: David Masters, Timberland, Sr. – Masters led a young and inexperienced Timberland squad to a District title with an extra-inning win over powerhouse Rock Bridge. The sure-handed shortstop raked at a .436 clip this season, with 31 runs, 15 doubles and 35 RBI. Committed to the University of Arkansas, Masters was recently selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 50th round MLB Draft. 
 
3B: Case Munson, Francis Howell, Sr. – The third baseman for the state champion Francis Howell Vikings, Munson enjoyed a spectacular season at the plate this spring. When it was all said and done, the Missouri recruit hit .477 with 11 doubles, four triples, 12 home runs and 59 RBI.
 
OF: Corey Embree, Moberly, Sr. – This past spring, Embree was arguably the best pure hitter in the state of Missouri. Although he faced small-school pitchers, it’s not a sufficient knock against his robust .683/11/30 season. Committed to Maple Woods Community College, Embree was recently drafted in 47th round by the Cleveland Indians.

OF: Lance Jeffries, McCluer, Sr. – The 6-foot, 205 pounder was one of the best all-around players this year. Posting a .457 batting average, belting 10 HR, and going a perfect 46-46 in stolen base attempt, Jeffries showed he could get on base at any time. Although he was committed to Iowa Western Community College, Jeffries was drafted by his hometown Cardinals in the 10th round of the MLB Draft, and signed last week.
 
OF: Tate Matheny, Westminster, Jr. – Few players had as well-rounded of a season as the Westminster outfielder, who is now a Class 3A champion, as well. Son of former Cardinal backstop Mike Matheny, Tate hit .505 with 53 runs, 8 doubles, a state-record 10 triples, 10 home runs and 54 RBI. The speedy center fielder also swiped 22 bags.
 
UTILITY: 1B/3B/LF Spencer Johnson, Parkview, Jr. – Johnson had another huge year for Parkview, hitting .438 with a .546 on-base percentage. One of the top class of 2012 players, he collected 8 doubles, 13 home runs and drove in 43 runs. He also scored 30 runs, coaxed 16 walks and swiped 12 bags.
 
UTILITY: C/RHP Tanner Murphy, Malden, So. – Just a sophomore, Murphy emerged as one Missouri’s best overall players this spring. He absolutely torched opposing pitching, slashing .631/.713/1.452 with 20 doubles, 16 home runs and 42 RBI. He was equally impressive on the mound, going 9-2 with a 2.22 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 72 innings.
 
Second Team
 
RHP: David Schmidt, CBC, Sr. – A 47th Round selection by the St. Louis Cardinals in this year’s draft, Schmidt accumulated a 6-1 record and 3.34 ERA this season. The Stanford-bound right-hander also fired four complete games and struck out 55 in 50 1/3 innings.
 
RHP: Blake McFadden, Savannah, Jr. – The hard-throwing McFadden put himself on a lot of people’s radar this spring, as he used his 88-91 mph fastball to go 8-1 with a 0.72 ERA for the Savages. Verbally committed to the University of Iowa, McFadden stuck out 66 and walked 12 in 48 1/3 innings.
 
LHP: Alex Winkelman, Crystal City, Jr. – Winkelman put together one of the most remarkable seasons is Missouri high school baseball history, going 7-2 on the season for Crystal City. The junior amassed a whopping 102 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings pitched, and finished the season with a 0.70 ERA.
 
C: Adam Grantham, Kennett, Jr. – A presence in the middle of a potent Kennett lineup, Granthamhit .531 with 9 doubles, 3 triples, 6 home runs and racked up 41 RBI. Also a key member of the Indians’ rotation, the junior was 6-0 with a 1.56 ERA while striking out 56 hitters in 36 innings.
 
C: Mike Wilson, Francis Howell North, Sr. – Committed to play at Lindenwood University next year, Wilson had a monster season for Howell North. With a .531 average and .990 slugging percentage, the left-handed hitting backstop hit 15 doubles and 9 home runs while tallying 35 RBI.
 
1B: Payton Reed, Kickapoo, Sr. – Reed led Kickapoo’s explosive offense this spring by hitting .455 with 15 doubles, 8 home runs and 40 RBI. The senior also coaxed 19 walks while fanning only five times.
 
3B: Travis Bittle, Rock Bridge, Sr. – A Truman State recruit, Bittle was an RBI-machine for the Bruins this season. The senior finished the season with a .400 batting average and led the team with 33 RBI.
 
MIF: Robbie Ewing, Stockton HS, Sr. – A Neosho County Community College signee capped an impressive prep career by hitting .644 with 12 doubles, 7 triples, 4 home runs and 39 RBI, while walking 16 times and stealing 18 bases.
 
MIF: Braxton Martinez, Frances Howell North, Jr. – Martinez put up explosive numbers for the Knights this season, hitting .522 with 10 HR and 48 RBI’s
 
OF: Isaac Geisinger, Staley, Sr. – Geisinger boasted a .533 batting average on the year with 55 hits 12 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs and 45 RBI.
 
OF: Connor Wilson, Strafford, Sr. – Wilson turned in another strong year for Strafford, hitting .437 with 7 doubles, 8 home runs and 35 RBI. The Missouri State recruit also drew an impressive 20 walks while stealing 10 bases.
 
OF: Ryan Snyder, Vianney, Sr. – In the Golden Griffin’s hitting-heavy lineup, Snyder pulled his weight by hitting .514 with 41 runs, 10 doubles, 10 home runs and 45 RBI. He has committed to Central Missouri.
 
UTILITY: Dylan Terrell, Winfield, Sr. – Terrell proved to be one of the best two-way players this spring. While batting .479 with 4 home runs and 25 RBI, he also managed to obtain an 8-2 record on the mound and racked up 110 strikeouts in the process.
 
Third Team
 
RHP: Tyler Lopez, Kickapoo, Sr. – Lopez recorded a 5-0 record this season with a 1.48 ERA in 42 2/3 innings pitched
 
RHP: Cody Heisserer, Cape Notre Dame, Jr.*
 
RHP: Lucas Peterson, Willard, Sr. – The ace of the Tigers pitching staff went 5-2 with a 2.97 ERA and 48 K’s in 41 innings pitched
 
C: Ethan Schlesner, Rogersville, Jr. – Schlesner charged a powerful Rogersville offense this season with a .348 average, 8 home runs, 25 RBI, while drawing 16 walks.
 
1B: Juan Bowers, Trinity, Sr. – Bowers posted big power numbers for Trinity this spring, hitting .460 with 8 home runs and 33 RBI in the middle of the order. He has committed to Johnson County Community College.
 
MIF: Zach Lavy, North Callaway, Jr. – One of next year’s players to watch, Lavy hit .529 for the season, including a 1.029 Slugging percentage and 39 runs driven in.
 
MIF: Danny Holst, Parkway South, Jr. – With a .488 batting average, a .611 on-base percentage and 20 stolen bases, this leadoff hitter was the heart and soul of the Patriots offense. Holst has verbally committed to Texas A&M University.
 
3B: Kyle Jochems, Ozarks, Jr.: The Tigers’ cleanup hitter carried the team’s offense into the Class 4A Final Four with a team-leading .420 batting average, 6 home runs and 27 RBI.
 
OF: Calvin Roebuck, Springfield Catholic, Sr.: Roebuck paced a talented Springfield Catholic this offense with a .365 batting average, 11 doubles, 9 home runs and 40 RBI.
 
OF: Connor Einertson, Westminster, Jr. – Connor scorched opposing pitchers this season, posting a .520 batting average with 12 doubles and 39 RBI. Look for his bat to help the Wildcats defend their Class 3A State title in 2012.
 
OF: Caleb Baker, St. Pius X (Kansas City), Sr. .507, 6 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs, 34 RBI
 
OF: Alex Greer, Ft. Osage, Sr.* – committed to Iowa Western Community College.
 
UTIL: Joe Young, Logan Rogersville, Jr. – The Co-Central Ozark Conference Small Division Player of the Year, Young hit .415 with 7 doubles, 2 triples and 9 home runs. 

 

Honorable Mention
 
RHP: Andy Lack, Kennett, Sr. – 5-2, 3 CG, 2 SV, 2.00 ERA, 42 IP, 63 K, 3 BB; committed to Southeast Missouri State
 
RHP: Brian Howard, SLUH, So. – 10-0, 3 CG, 1.54 ERA, 41 IP, 39 K
 
RHP: Gage Jacobs, Bolivar, Sr. – 5-2, 4 CG, 1 SV, 0.89 ERA, 47 IP, 80 K, 8 BB; committed to Johnson Count Community College
 
RHP: Brennan Devers, CBC, Sr. – 6-0, 4 CG, 1.69 ERA, 45 2/3 IP, 1.03 WHIP, .197 BAA; committed to Quincy University
 
C: Ryan Allee, Westminster, Sr. – .468, 51 hits, 11 doubles, 4 triples and 41 RBI
 
1B: Dre Gleason, Fort Zumwalt North, So. – .423, 33 hits, 5 doubles, 6 home runs, 35 RBI
 
MIF: William DuPont, Lafayette, Jr. – .528 batting average, .600 OBP, 9 doubles, 2 triples, 6 home runs, 35 RBI and 25 SB
 
MIF: Brett Peel, Francis Howell, Sr. – .409 batting average, .522 OBP, 53 runs, 4 doubles, 5 triples, 24 RBI and 19 SB; committed to William Woods University
 
3B: Matthew Dye, Liberty, Sr. – .443, 10 doubles, 6 home runs, 41 RBI
 
OF: Joseph Strege, MICDS, Sr. – 418, .910 SLG, 5 doubles, 2 triples, 8 home runs and 37 RBI
 
OF: Jake Ivory, Francis Howell, Sr. – .404, 8 doubles, 7 home runs, 12 stolen bases and 48 RBI; committed to University of Missouri
 
OF: Wade Rothermich, Ft. Zumwalt North, Sr. – .456, 31 runs, 41 hits, 7 doubles, 6 home runs, 30 RBI; committed to Lindenwood University
 
UTIL: Chad Gendron, Oakville, Sr. – .370 BA, 26 runs, 5 doubles, 5 home runs, 23 RBI; 7-2, 6 CG, 2 SV, 1.42 ERA, 83 K; committed to Maryville University
 
*2011 spring statistics currently unavailable