The Class of 2014 in Missouri has some top notch talent, some of which was displayed in the Midwest Future Games, as well as other PBR events around Missouri. Currently, seven Class of 2014 players have made their commitments, six of which were participants in the Future Games. Numerous other Class of 2014 players have received offers and are being heavily scouted by colleges in an effort to get a head start in their recruiting efforts, and we will continue to bring you coverage of those players.

Here is a look at the Class of 2014 players who have committed:
Shane Benes, MIF, Westminster (Ranked No. 5 in Missouri, 38 overall)
Committed to University of Missouri, Benes is a smooth fielding shortstop with good footwork and a accurate arm, who is versatile enough to play second or third. Benes is also a middle of the line up hitter, who can hit for both power and average. He has very projectable tools and the potential to be a draft pick in a few years.

 

Jack Benninghoff, OF, Rockhurst (Ranked No. 8 in Missouri, 49 overall)
Committed to Arkansas, Benninghoff set a Midwest Future Games record with a top throw of 92-mph from the outfield. He also moves with fluid purpose in the outfield. Benninghoff also showcases an easy, level swing and shows the ability to hit for both average and power, with good instincts and speed on the base paths. He has a high ceiling and projects very well at the next level.

 

Zack Engelken, RHP, Blue Valley West (KS)
Committed to Nebraska, At 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, Engelken has a prototypical pitcher’s frame, one that has plenty of room to develop. He also has long arms and legs – and a lively fastball.  At the Midwest Future Games, Engelken sat at 85-88 mph, and flashed a sharp 12/6 curveball in the 73 mph range. With his size, frame and arm fluidity, Engelken no doubt will continue to throw harder in the coming years.

 

Colby Fitch, C/OF, Hickman (Ranked No. 3 in Missouri, 25 overall)
Committed to Louisville, the MVP of the Midwest Future Games has been a staple of PBR events over the past few years. The left-handed hitting Fitch hit three home runs in three games against top-level pitching. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound C/INF finished 4-for-6 with 6 RBI, three walks and three no-doubt shots.  He has registered pop times in the 1.91-1.93 range, while also showing athleticism in the outfield with a strong arm (88-mph).

 

Alex Lange, RHP, Lee’s Summit West (Ranked No. 1 in Missouri, No 1 overall)
Committed to LSU, the No 1 overall ranked player in the combined PBR state rankings for the Class of 2014, Lange has an upper 80s to low 90’s fastball with late arm-side life. More impressive than his fastball is command and use of a 77-81-mph slider, a true wipeout slider, with sharp two-plane life. Lange’s slider is a legit big-league type pitch.

 

Wesley Pyles, RHP, Poplar Bluff (Ranked No. 20)
Committed to Southeast Missouri State University, Pyles is a  lanky 6-foot, 176- left handed pitcher who should show continued progress as he continues to develop. Coming from a high ¾ arm slot, Pyles has deceptive delivery and a quick arm that works well, with fastballs from 79 to 81 mph that had late sink. He showed good feel for a sharp breaking ball (68-72 mph). Pyles also shows a 67-69 mph change up, with late sink. The movement of his pitches looks like he could be very tough on left-handed hitters.

 

Storm Rynard, RHP/SS, Raymore-Peculiar (Ranked No. 2 in Missouri, 10 overall)
Committed to Arkansas, Rynard is a legit two way player. At the Midwest Future Games, his fastball sat at 87-89, and touched 90 on occasion. Rynard also commanded a wicked 77-79 mph slider that is a legitimate swing-and-miss pitch. Rynard pounded the strike zone and was essentially unhittable in his stint. He worked fast and challenged hitters. Rynard also set a Future Games record by throwing 91 mph across the infield. 


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