With the start of the Missouri high school baseball season less than 24 hours away, it’s time for our staff to release our preseason rankings.  

 

It’s important to note that these rankings do not cover the entire state. Our coverage map from a rankings standpoint, in Missouri, includes mostly the city of St. Louis, extending downward to Jackson, Missouri. That doesn’t mean we’re not covering other areas of the state, but from a consistency standpoint, we will only rank teams that fall inside our coverage area. It’s also important to note that these are just initial rankings, and they will fluctuate throughout as the season rolls on and game play starts. 

 

With that being said, continue reading below to learn more about our St. Louis’ area preseason rankings. 

 

NO.1, FRANCIS HOWELL 

Another year, another roster deep with talent for Francis Howell, as head coach Tony Perkins and company enter this spring as the number one team on our board, like they did in 2025. 

 

Pitching has been a strength, and that’s putting it likely, for the Vikings over the past few seasons. They return a pair of pocket aces in their senior class, with RHP Dylan Curtis (2026; Mizzou) and RHP Jake Brettschneider (2026; Mizzou) heading the charge at the top of their rotation. Sticking with their seniors, RHP Jack Hubbard (2026; Moberly CC) is a long, lanky right-hander that pitched to a 1.17 ERA in 18 innings a season ago. Another returner from their 2025 staff is RHP Karsen Drummond (2026; Moberly CC), an upper-80s arm that hurled 17 ⅔ innings as a junior with a 2.83 ERA. Then there’s LHP Alex Versheldon (2026), a recently uncommitted senior southpaw that’s highly athletic and plenty talented, creeping his fastball into the low-90s this winter. 

 

Dylan Curtis

 

The influx of power on the mound extends down to their junior class as well. LHP Drew Dierks (2027; St. Louis) was brilliant as a sophomore, working mostly out of the ‘pen with a 1.01 ERA in 27 ⅔ innings. Another southpaw, LHP Derek Chupp (2027), has some of the most pure arm talent in the area for the junior class, toeing the rubber at a highly physical 6-foot-6, 240-pounds with a fastball that can climb up into the low-90s. OF/RHP Shake Speckert (2027) will be one of this team’s main offensive threats, as a highly athletic left-handed bat with juice, but he’s yet another arm capable of climbing into the low-90s with his heater. LHP/OF Cruz Harris (2027) adds more left-handed depth to this staff as well. 

 

Drew Dierks

 

Positionally, the Vikings return a few pieces from an offense that’s multiple and can win in a variety of ways. MIF Brady Tanner (2026; Indiana State) has one of the more consistently productive left-handed bats in the area. He hit .407 as a junior a spring ago, striking out 11 times in 123 at-bats with 14 stolen bases and the ability to bunt for a hit on command. OF AJ Jones (2026; Maryville) is another left-handed hitter with an advanced approach at the plate that doesn’t strike out and profiles nicely at the top of this lineup. Another toolsy, athletic left-handed bat that’s made strides on both sides of the ball and is primed for a strong spring is OF Chase Cradick (2026; Moberly CC). 1B Matthew Junghans (2026), 1B Carson Stipes (2026; Moberly CC), INF/C Eli Miller (2026; St. Charles), C Laird Van Sciever (2026), and OF/INF Blake Schiller (2027) are five other upperclassmen to watch that can factor into this mix. 

 

Brady Tanner

 

Returning for the Vikings is one of the area’s top sophomores in MIF Jack Bogard (2028), who served as a regular at shortstop for them a season ago. As a freshman, on one of the top teams in the state, Bogard hit .349 and reached base at a .455 clip, all while providing impact level defense with the glove. He’s absolutely one of this team’s most important players and heads into his sophomore spring as a potential catalyst for Francis Howell once again. 

 

Jack Bogard

 

NO. 2, EUREKA 

It’s been four straight seasons of 20+ wins for the Wildcats, who have morphed themselves into a perennial contender in the St. Louis area. To not mince words, this team is absolutely loaded with talent, and they enter as the second team on our board, with a real argument to be first. 

 

Eureka’s senior class is plenty deep and has been a catalyst for the success they’ve had the past few years with an opportunity to close their high school careers on a high note. They’re nothing short of excellent on the mound, led by three excellent senior arms in RHP Jaxson Joggerst (2026; Southeast Missouri), RHP Ben Lackey (2026; Southeast Missouri), and RHP John Haberkorn (2026; Southeast Missouri). 

 

One of the area’s top arms, Joggerst is a 6-foot-6, 215-pound athlete with an upper-80s fastball and feel for two secondaries (SL/CH) that had a 2.80 ERA in 35 innings a year ago, punching out 29 and walking only seven. Lackey is coming off an incredible junior year, in which he allowed two earned runs (0.38 ERA) over 37 ⅓ innings, walking 11 while punching out 43. He can run his fastball into the low-90s, pitching in the upper-80s, with above-average feel for a changeup. Finally, Haberkorn is a highly physical athlete that pumps an upper-80s fastball for strikes, walking just two batters over 28 ⅓ innings last spring with a 0.99 ERA. 

 

Three other senior arms of note on this pitching staff are RHP Jack Baker (2026; State Fair CC), LHP Cade Gustafson (2026; Missouri Southern), and LHP Dane Greis (2026; Crowder JC). Baker pitches at 85-88 mph with his fastball and spins a hard, downer curveball in the upper-70s. Gustafson has some uncomfortableness and deception to his delivery, working across his body with a low-to-mid-80s fastball and spinning a sweeper off it. Greis toes the rubber at 6-foot-6, 205-pounds and will be an excellent addition to this staff as he continues to work his way up this winter. 

 

Jack Baker

 

The Wildcats do have a handful of key position players inside their senior class. INF Craig Ringe (2026; St. Louis) leads the way, hitting .371 with a .978 OPS as a middle-of-the-order regular inside this offense. The aforementioned Haberkorn will also be one of this team’s top offensive threats, slashing .413/.491/.478 last spring. OF Levi Fieser (2026), INF Cole Rogers (2026), and C AJ Scott (2026; Westminster) are three other seniors of note. 

 

Moving away from their ‘26 class, two high impact type prospects for the Wildcats are C Carson Leuthauser (2027; Evansville) and MIF Tyler Sweeney (2027). Leuthauser’s presence in the middle of this lineup will be felt immediately, as a highly physical right-handed bat that can flat-out do damage. He’s also plenty talented behind the plate, especially in the catch-and-throw department, and will make a nice catching tandem with the aforementioned Scott. As for Sweeney, the Wildcats’ everyday shortstop from a season ago is back after hitting .396 with a .475 OBP as a sophomore. He was one of the biggest winner from our winter circuit, adding more impact to his right-handed barrel while continuing to show his advanced glove-to-hand on the infield. One of the top uncommitted juniors in St. Louis, we’re expecting another excellent spring from Sweeney. 

 

Tyler Sweeney

 

As far as possible underclass impacts, keep an eye out for OF/RHP Jackson Leonard (2028) and C Sal Gianino (2028). Leonard may be one of the most physically gifted athletes in St. Louis, regardless of class, hosting a considerable amount of strength and explosiveness within his frame. He’s capable of impacting the baseball at a high level and, if called upon, should be a positive for this Eureka team. At 6-foot-4, 220-pounds, Giannino also doesn’t lack any physicality, and it’s part of the reason why he’s coming off a strong year for Eureka’s football team as a sophomore. That strength shows at the plate, swinging a right-handed barrel packed with impact potential, one that we could see on varsity this coming spring. 

 

Jackson Leonard

 

NO. 3, FORT ZUMWALT WEST

Fort Zumwalt West is a program that’s no stranger to success. In head coach Eric Gough’s last hurrah, the Jaguars made a run to the Class 6 state playoffs, ending their season with a fourth place finish. It’s a different era under new skipper Matt Sissom, but Fort Zumwalt West’s winning ways aren’t expected to change. 

 

The Jaguars have one of the area’s top all-around talents in MIF/C Nolan Sissom (2026; Mizzou). Sissom’s done nothing but produce since his freshman season, posting a highly impressive .439./.568/.785 triple-slash last spring with 20 doubles, four triples, and three home runs. It’s as polished and mature of a left-handed swing that you’ll find, profiling perfectly in the heart of this lineup as a high level impact on an at-bat to at-bat basis. Additionally, Sissom will lock down shortstop for this club, and he can also slide behind the dish if he needs to, playing the game’s two most important defensive positions at a high level. This team will go as far as Sissom will take them as the Mizzou commit looks to put the finishing touches on what’s been an incredibly productive high school career. 

 

Nolan Sissom

 

Another highly valuable senior prospect for this club is INF/RHP Brendan Pyle (2026; Johnson County). In his first year with Fort Zumwalt West last spring, Pyle drove in a team-high 40 runs and was incredibly impactful on the mound, posting a 2.26 ERA over 49 ⅔ innings, punching out 56. He’ll slot in nicely right in the middle of this lineup, but his ability to take the ball each week and provide high quality innings may end up being more valuable for this particular team. Regardless, Pyle’s two-way impact will be felt, and he’s also a big reason why the Jaguars sit inside the top five on these rankings. 

 

Brendan Pyle 

 

Staying in their upperclass ranks, OF/RHP Michael Wolff (2027) is another name that’s been producing at a high level for this program since his freshman year. Known for his advanced bat-to-ball and barrel awareness, Wolff hit .419 over 124 at-bats last spring, totaling 15 doubles while driving in 37 runs. He can jump on the mound in a pinch too, pitching in the mid-80s and offering much needed depth for this club when needed. 

 

Michael Wolff

 

Continuing to look around their roster, INF Keagan Fiala (2027) and OF/RHP Bradyn Howe (2027) are two juniors that are expected to make an immediate impact at the varsity level this spring. RHP Nick Golden (2026) and C Mitchell Parry (2026) are a pair of seniors that fit into that mold as well. Looking at their underclass ranks, INF Devlin Rowland (2028) and OF/RHP Donavan Douglas (2028) are two sophomores that have the potential to positively impact this club. 

 

NO. 4, JACKSON

The premier program out of southeast Missouri, the Indians are a group we’re particularly high on heading into this spring season. They’re talented at all levels and have a pitching staff, in particular, that’s able to carry them deep into the postseason. 

 

RHP Drew Parsons (2026; Southeast Missouri) returns as the headliner for this staff. Also the Indians’ quarterback, Parsons fastball plays in the upper-80s to low-90s, and he spins a bigger breaking ball with depth in the mid-70s off it. His ability to challenge hitters, competitiveness, and experience make him one of the better frontline arms on this list. 

 

Drew Parsons

 

Another senior arm worth noting is RHP Carter Shipman (2026; Crowder JC). A physical right-hander, Shipman popped up on our radar last fall, attending one of our events and bumping his fastball up to 90 mph, while sitting in the upper-80s. He committed to JUCO powerhouse Crowder shortly afterwards and adds another arm with loud stuff to this pitching staff. 

 

Carter Shipman

 

Staying on the mound, RHP/3B Grant Brown (2027) helps round out a trio of arms that will make this Jackson group dangerous on a game to game basis. Still uncommitted, Brown has taken a jump up in stuff this winter, now pitching in the upper-80s with two strong secondaries; a diving changeup at 78-80 mph and a harder sweeping slider at 77-78 mph. 

 

Grant Brown

 

Positionally, INF Adler Flinn (2026; Rend Lake) and OF MaCaibe Carter (2026; MSU – West Plains) are two athletic, up-the-middle returners that are positives for this group. Parsons and Brown will also fit nicely into this lineup, as will OF Dawson Eftink (2027), who provided an abundance of impact as a middle-of-the-order left-handed bat. At 6-foot-3, 220-pounds, OF/RHP Keegan Brueggeman (2027) is another physically advanced athlete to know for this club. One potential underclassmen that can impact this club is RHP/INF Griffin Parsons (2028) Strong and compact at 5-foot-11, 190-pounds, Parsons has particularly shown well to our staff on the mound, working in the strike zone with a low-to-mid-80s fastball and spin feel. 

 

Adler Flinn

 

NO. 5, VIANNEY

One of Missouri’s most dominant teams a season ago, the Griffins finished runner-ups in Class 5, falling to Platte County in the state championship game and ending the 2025 season with a 38-2 record. Bumping up to Class 6 this spring, Vianney enters the season with a deep, talented roster capable of making some noise come district play. 

 

This team starts and ends with LHP Zach Van Hook (2026; Missouri), who’s unquestionably one of the area’s most talented prospects. It’s clear he’s added physicality to a long, athletic frame, filling out the uniform at a much more physical stature. At our Pro Day this winter, Van Hook pitched at an easy 92-94 mph with his fastball, and showed consistent feel for both of his secondaries (SL/CH). While his impact on the mound will surely be felt, his left-handed bat will be of equal impact to this lineup, bringing back a .478/.520/.589 triple-slash with 27 RBI. On the shortlist for our ‘Player of the Year’ award, Van Hook’s shaping up to have an excellent final spring for Vianney. 

 

Zach Van Hook

 

Sticking with their senior class, two must-know returners are MIF Logan DeClue (2026; John A. Logan) and RHP Ben Thierauf (2026; Rockhurst). DeClue, who’s sure-handed defensively at shortstop, hit .379 and posted a 1.102 OPS, totaling 10 extra-base hits with 22 RBI. Thierauf’s efforts on the mound were certainly a propellent for Vianney’s success a season ago, as the strong-armed right-hander pitched to a 1.87 ERA over 48 ⅔ innings with 60 strikeouts.

 

The depth Vianney has on the mound in their senior group is particularly impressive. RHP Drew Keller (2026; Three Rivers JC), RHP Samuel Smith (2026; Northwest Missouri), RHP/INF Wesley Cohee (2026; Truman State), and RHP Evan Ozbun (2026) are all college caliber arms that’ll toe the rubber for this staff in the spring. C Charlie Basta (2026; Drury) really looks the part behind the plate and swings a fluid, physical left-handed barrel. OF Logan Baumann (2026) and OF Tyler Ritzel (2026) are two other seniors to know. 

 

Charlie Basta

 

As for their juniors, Vianney’s crop of 2027 grads has a handful of names that have a chance to make a name for themselves this coming spring. LHP Max Flores (2027; Bradley) is a loose, athletic southpaw that throws three pitches for strikes from a ¾ slot with plenty of projection to come. INF Cole Tyson (2027) swings a clean left-handed bat and has shown quality actions on the infield to us in the past, and OF/LHP JP Fagan (2027) brings depth on both sides of the ball. 

 

While it’s unclear how much Vianney will rely on their underclass group, the Griffins do have one of the area’s more talented freshman arms in RHP Brady Dohrmann (2029). In a look this winter, Dohrmann pitched at 84-85, touching 86 mph, with his fastball, and spun a pair of breaking balls for strikes, while also flashing a feel for a changeup at 74-75 mph. Producing at the varsity level as a first year is hard, but Dohrmann’s certainly talented enough, and his last name has no shortage of success in the Griffins’ black and gold. 

 

Brady Dohrmann

 

NO. 6, LINDBERGH

Another perennial contender in the area, Lindbergh’s roster returns several key pieces from a team that finished 24-10 last season, but is also missing a multitude of integral parts of that group’s success that’ll need to be refilled.

 

The Flyers’ senior class starts with 1B/LHP Austin Jones (2026; Jefferson JC), who’s going to be the engine on both sides of the ball for this club. Positionally, it’s a strong, mature left-handed barrel that slashed .381/.516/.546 in 97 at-bats as a junior with 12 extra-base hits and 29 RBI. On the mound, Jones pitched to a 2.13 ERA over 42 ⅔ innings and walked just 15 batters while striking out 45. OF Augie Hutchison (2026; Quincy), RHP Aidan Kennedy (2026), and RHP Jimmy Taff (2026) are three other seniors on this team worth highlighting. 

 

Returning for the Flyers are a few juniors that contributed plenty as sophomores a year ago, most notably RHP/INF Jack Politte (2027). The son of a former big leaguer and younger brother to two college baseball players, Politte had a stellar sophomore year on both sides of the ball. On the mound, he threw 39 innings with a 1.79 ERA, punching out 31 batters to just nine walks. Positionally, Politte hit .300 in 100 at-bats with a .852 OPS and 11 extra-base hits and 17 RBI. Now a year older, and more experienced, Politte figures to once again be one of the top contributors for this club. 

 

Two other juniors of note are INF/RHP CJ Luczak (2027) and OF Karsen Stout (2027), as both are expected to be positive everyday contributors throughout their junior seasons. Luczak brings back a .311 batting average from his sophomore year. Stout is a physical left-handed bat with high impact potential that hit .316 and drove in 18 runs last spring. 

 

Karsen Stout

 

Lindbergh is also home to one of the more talented sophomore arms in St. Louis: RHP/CIF Jon Calcaterra (2028). Packed with strength in a highly physical frame, Calcaterra’s taken a jump up this winter, running his fastball into the low-90s at peak, while pitching in the upper-80s, and complimenting his heater with a sharp, two-plane slider. He turned in a strong freshman spring on the mound, pitching to a 2.79 ERA in 32 ⅔ innings with 30 strikeouts. As he continues to get more comfortable with his frame, and earn more varsity reps on the mound, Calcaterra’s only going to continue improving – a scary thought for opposing hitters. He’ll also see time at the plate, where his physicality translates nicely and offers this team another strong right-handed option in the lineup. Three other underclassmen who could see time on varsity this spring are RHP/INF Nathan Leist (2028), C Jonah Bates (2028), and MIF Brady Hutchison (2028). 

 

Jon Calcaterra

 

NO. 7, LAFAYETTE

Another program in the area that’s done nothing but win over the past few years, this Lafayette group is shaping up to follow in the footsteps of those that came before them. They’re experienced, talented, and have a multitude of players that are going to play at the next level, while also having the benefit of having an excellent coach in Cole DuPont. 

 

Returning for the Lancers this spring are a trio of middle-of-the-order bats that all had success as juniors a season ago. MIF Zach Toben (2026; Quincy) slashed .385/.468/.510 in 96 at-bats, driving in 25 runs, stealing 22 bags, with nine extra-base hits and will likely serve as their everyday shortstop. Leading this group behind the plate is C TJ Bender (2026; Lafayette), a strong right-handed hitting backstop that hit .355 with a .979 OPS and brought in 23 runs a season ago. OF Chase Roeder (2026; Emory) is a tooled-up, highly athletic right-handed hitting outfielder that’s primed for a loud final spring. In 86 at-bats, Roeder posted a .955 OPS and hit .372 with seven extra-base hits, 20 RBI, and 11 stolen bases. 

 

Chase Roeder

 

Lafayette also returns their two top arms from an innings standpoint from last spring in RHP Landon Matthews (2026; Maryville) and LHP Drew Pickering (2026). Matthews, who will also be an everyday regular at the plate, is a highly competitive, pitchability right-hander that’s been a staple for this program over the last few years and has pitched in plenty of big games. As a junior, he threw a team-high 40 innings, posting a 3.33 ERA and striking out 31. Pickering, a southpaw, can really spin the baseball, and threw 39 innings to a 2.87 ERA. Having these two veteran, experienced arms to stabilize this rotation will be crucial for Lafayette, and it’s a big reason why we’re high internally on this club. 

 

Landon Matthews

 

LHP Michael Sinn (2027; Mizzou) will be another arm to watch for this club. The long, lanky left-hander is one of the more projectable athletes in the area, working with relative ease down the mound with a loose, clean, and fluid arm stroke. Consistency will be key for Sinn, but if he’s continued to take strides in his development, his impact will be felt almost immediately as a part of this pitching staff. 1B Payne Kent (2027) is another junior to keep an eye on, as a highly physical left-handed hitter with middle-of-the-order raw bat strength. 

 

The Lancers also have a highly talented sophomore arm on their roster in RHP Asher Krimmel (2028), who caught a brief taste of varsity action as a freshman last spring. Long and lanky at 6-foot-4, 185-pounds, Krimmel has all sorts of arm strength, bumping into the low-90s this winter with above-average feel for a parachuting changeup. While he’s still fully developing feel for himself on the mound, it’s undeniable that Krimmel’s a highly talented prospect, adding even more depth to this Lafayette group. 

 

NO. 8, SLUH

There’s a whole lot of talent returning for the Jr. Billikens, a group that finished last spring 22-10-1 and fell to rival DeSmet in the postseason. 

 

We’ll start on the mound, where SLUH returns a bulk of its innings from a staff that threw the ball consistently well in 2025. Staff ace RHP Brady Nolan (2026; Quincy) is back after shouldering a 47 ⅔ inning workload last spring, pitching to a 2.64 ERA with 43 strikeouts and only 13 walks. RHP James Baudendistel (2026) threw the second most inning on the staff last spring and is back, posting a 1.82 ERA across 34 ⅔ innings, punching out 32 with 10 walks. Another bulk arm, RHP Michael Strong (2026; Case Western) is back, posting a 2.57 ERA with 28 strikeouts over his 32 ⅔ innings of work. 

 

The Jr. Billikens also have one of the state’s top two-way prospects in RHP/SS Cole Chambers (2027). Committed to Oklahoma, Chambers has been a productive member of this club since his freshman year, and he was pretty integral to their success on both sides of the ball as a sophomore last season. It’s an upper-80s to low-90s arm on the mound that allowed one earned run (0.25 ERA) across 28 innings in 2025, punching out 32 while walking only four. If that wasn’t enough, he also hit .389 with a 1.045 OPS, walked four times (21) as much as he struck out (5), stole 22 bags, and is a high level defender at shortstop. Chambers is an outlier, and his ability to impact the game positively in all areas is a massive advantage for SLUH.

 

Cole Chambers

 

Captaining this group of arms is C Logan Studer (2026; Brown), a senior backstop that’s more than capable of steering the ship that is SLUH’s talent rich pitching staff. He’ll also serve as one of their top bats, bringing back a .407/.530/.538 triple-slash in 91 at-bats with 10 doubles and 18 RBI. A left-handed hitter, OF Robby Cox (2026) had a strong junior spring, where he hit .333 while reaching base at a .415 clip. INF Liam Linhares (2026) is another senior bat of note for this team. 

 

Logan Studer

 

Two juniors to highlight are MIF/RHP Tyler Rasch (2027) and OF Connar Lucas (2027). Rasch swings a clean, polished left-handed barrel and hit .333 with a .440 OBP in 84 at-bats as a sophomore last spring. Physical with present strength and room for more, Lucas has the potential to be an impact right-handed bat for this offense. 

 

Tyler Rasch

 

NO. 9, OAKVILLE

Another program in southern St. Louis that’s had recent success, the Tigers’ 2025 season ended with a loss in their district semi-finals. While they’ll be without a handful of key pieces from that club, a multitude of them do return, and some young, talented additions to this roster once again make Oakville a team to know in the area. 

 

Leading the charge is RHP/CIF CJ Lake (2026; John A. Logan JC), who’s on the shortlist of names for our ‘Player of the Year’ award entering the season. He’s a power arm in every sense of the word, owning a fastball that can climb into the mid-90s, touching 96 mph this winter. His ability to spin the baseball has improved, he’s developed a cutter, and his changeup has flashed, rolling out a much deeper arsenal than we’ve seen from him in the past. Lake’s impact in the middle of this lineup will be of equal importance, as he returns a .412/.444/.637 slash in 102 at-bats, homering three times with 12 doubles as well. 

 

CJ Lake

 

Sticking with their seniors, a pair of left-handers in LHP Kaleb Owens (2026; East Central) and LHP/1B Aiden Zehnle (2026; East Central) are two other main pieces for this club. Owens is a pitchability southpaw that can mix and match on the regular, pitching to a 1.60 ERA in a 35 inning sample last spring with 48 strikeouts. Zehnle, who worked mostly out of the ‘pen, had a 1.52 ERA across a 23 inning sample, punching out 29. He’ll also be relied upon offensively, wielding a strong left-handed barrel to match a 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame. OF Matthew Herrin (2026; MSU – West Plains) and INF Mason Kern (2026; Shawnee CC) are two other senior returns of note. 

 

One name that’s likely to be a major impact for the Tigers is INF Max Simokaitis (2027). A Nebraska commit, and one of the top juniors in the city, Simokaitis is a long-levered, rangy athlete that can really defend at shortstop and hit .384 in 86 at-bats a season ago with a .928 OPS. Another talented piece in this lineup is INF Ben Delic (2029), who’s one of the premier freshman prospects in the area. As polished of a left-handed bat you’ll find at his age, Delic will likely go through an adjustment period against varsity competition, but his addition to this offense should certainly give them a boost. 

 

Ben Delic

 

NO. 10, SECKMAN

The Jaguars endured some growing pains in 2025, working with a roster mostly full of sophomores and juniors. A majority of their at-bats, and innings, came from non-seniors, which is a positive heading into this spring. 

 

Looking at this senior class, a pair of southpaw arms returning a combined 50+ innings are LHP/1B Cooper Hoog (2026; East Central) and LHP Carter Bingel (2026; John Wood CC). Hoog, in particular, made six starts and posted a 2.54 ERA over 30 ⅓ innings, punching out 22 with just nine walks. He’s also a physical left-handed hitter that should see opportunities on the offensive end again after earning 79 at-bats a spring ago. Two other seniors that can both really run and will roam around the outfield are OF Cameron Benson (2026; Dodge City CC) and OF Colton Fowler (2026). 

 

What gets us particularly excited about Seckman’s group is their junior class – a talented group with a full year of varsity experience under their belt that will be the main factor behind how much success the Jaguars have this spring. 

 

Two arms that are both capable of taking big steps up are RHP Carson Hardin (2027) and RHP Max Jones (2027). Hardin’s a strike-thrower with a carry fastball in the mid-to-upper-80s that also has spin feel for his breaking ball and pitched to a 0.62 ERA in seven appearances last spring. Long and lanky with a live arm, Jones’ fastball is also capable of playing in the mid-to-upper-80s, and he has shown our staff advanced feel for a diving changeup in the past. 

 

Carson Hardin

 

Working behind the plate for this group is C Will Berhorst (2027), a strong right-handed hitting backstop who’s capable of leading this talented pitching staff. INF/RHP Brody Kube (2027), a multi-sport athlete, was a big winner from our recent Winter Showcase, MO event. It’s a strong, leveraged right-handed swing with clean actions on the infield and a mid-80s arm on the mound that threw three pitches for strikes in his ‘pen. OF Nick Weidler (2027) can really, really run and showed our staff a strong, impactful right-handed swing at our Winter Showcase a few weeks back. LHP/OF Cole Mann (2027) is a left/left two-way prospect that adds more depth to this group. 

 

Brody Kube

 

The biggest ‘X-Factor’ for this team is LHP Cory Hilzinger (2028), who took full control of the staff ace role as a freshman last season. Hilzinger made 10 starts in his first year of high school ball, logging 57 ⅓ innings with a 2.08 ERA and 41 strikeouts to only 14 walks. He’s the textbook definition of a strike-thrower, creating subtle arm-side run on a fastball at 82-84, touching 85 mph, with the ability to put it in a cup on command. His changeup is his best secondary, as it plays well off his fastball in the upper-70s and shows consistent arm-side depth. In our look at one of our events this winter, Hilzinger showed better feel to spin his breaking ball in the past, a pitch that sweeps in the low-70s and enhances his arsenal even more so. 

 

Cory Hilzinger

 

Another underclassman to watch for the Jaguars is OF/RHP Ricky Wade (2029). Though it’s unknown how much of an impact Wade will have at the varsity level, if at all, he’s one of the more physically gifted freshmen in the area and is toolsy enough to be a key piece for this club. 

 

NO. 11, ROCKWOOD SUMMIT 

Last year was a bit of a breakthrough for the Falcons, as Rockwood Summit finally picked up a sectional win and punched their ticket to the state playoffs. A battle tested group full of experience, Rockwood Summit finished last spring with a 27-8 record and a third place finish in the Class 5 state playoffs. 

 

There are a bunch of returners coming back from that team, most notably INF/RHP Wyatt Schneider (2026; Missouri Southern) and OF/MIF Kaden Dinges (2026; Jefferson JC). A highly impactful right-handed hitter, Schneider slashed .349/.454/.587 in 109 at-bats as a junior, totaling 15 extra-base hits with 25 RBI. He also threw the third most innings on the team, pitching to a 2.10 ERA over 40 innings of work, striking out 45 with just 17 walks. Dinges sets the table at the top of this lineup as an athletic right-handed hitter that hit .343, scored a team-high 42 runs, walked twice as much (16) as he struck out (8), and he also swiped 17 bags. The experience that those two bring is a major advantage, as two seniors that have been on varsity since the start of their high school careers and produce at a high level. 

 

Wyatt Schneider

 

Sticking with their seniors, LHP Carter Nagel (2026; Moberly CC) and RHP/CIF Evan Wade (2026; William Jewell) are two arms that the Falcons will turn to help replace the 100+ innings that graduated with their 2025 grad class. Stepping up into what’ll likely be an everyday role as the starting catcher for this group is C Oren Miller (2026; St. Charles CC), a strong right-handed hitting backstop that showed well at our Winter Showcase, IL this winter. 

 

Two sophomores to keep an eye out for are MIF Grant Dinges (2028) and INF/RHP Carson Dillon (2028). Grant, the younger brother of the aforementioned Kaden, played nearly everyday as a freshman a spring ago, hitting .278 with a .395 OBP on one of the top class five teams in the state. Dillon is a 6-foot-3, 170-pound athlete with upside levers that is capable of contributing on both sides of the ball for this group. As far as their juniors go, names like INF Tino DiFranco (2027), 1B/LHP Alex Berra (2027), and RHP Logan Forrester (2027) will be names to watch. 

 

NO. 12, NORTH POINT

The Grizzlies had their best season to date in the school’s short history, finishing over .500 for the first time with a playoff win and an overall record of 24-10. A lot of pieces from last year’s team return, making up a group that absolutely looks capable of fighting for their district crown. 

 

Offensively, the main force behind what the Grizzlies are trying to accomplish offensively returns in MIF Joe Gonzales (2026). Gonzales was excellent as a junior, batting .379 with a .914 OPS, driving in 20 runs and scoring 30 times on his own. He walked (15) more times than he struck out (11) and added 10 bags, all while playing an important role defensively through the middle of the field. INF Aiden Cox (2026), RHP/OF Jack Coppedge (2026), C/INF Brady Eisenbath (2026), and C Max Chancellor (2026; North Point) are all returners that had 50+ plate appearances for this team last spring. 

 

Max Chancellor

 

Turning to the mound, North Point’s top two arms from an inning’s standpoint last year are back in RHP Justin Nenninger (2026; Johnson County) and RHP Jaymeson Brown (2026). Nenninger’s a true staff ace, punching out 45 in 44 ⅓ innings with a 2.37 ERA in eight starts, three of them complete games. It’s a power arsenal without much effort in the delivery, pitching in the upper-80s with his fastball and showing strike feel for a changeup, cutter, and slider in our look this past winter. Brown is a lanky, long-levered athlete with a low-to-mid-80s fastball and big, bendy breaking ball that fills up the strike zone, pitching to a 2.07 ERA in 44 innings last spring with just 14 walks. 

 

Justin Nenninger

 

Two other senior arms that both threw well a spring ago are LHP Ben Barfield (2026; Evangel) and RHP Alex White (2026; North Point). Both threw 20+ innings a spring ago and add more experience, as well as depth, to this club. 

 

A talented junior class is certain to be productive for North Point this coming spring. MIF Brendan Dickherber (2027) was an everyday regular last spring and is an athletic up-the-middle defender that can really run. OF Jayden Flores (2027) is another highly athletic prospect on this club that can really, really run, while MIF Ollie Collier (2027) and MIF Tyler Kmetz (2027) are two names that have shown well in-game for us in the past. As far as underclassmen go, C Ryan Cox (2028) will be a name to watch as a young, talented switch hitting backstop that will fight for time behind the plate. 

 

Tyler Kmetz

 

NO. 13, CBC

There’s never a shortage of star power at CBC, as the Cadets enter the 2026 season with yet again a roster full of talented players from top to bottom. It’s a new era of Cadet baseball, as head coach Scott Brown steps in as the program’s new leader.

 

Positionally, the Cadets’ outfield has a chance to be one of the more explosive in the area, led by OF GT Taylor (2026; Kansas), OF Corde Gage (2027), and OF Brady Rallo (2028). All three of them are top prospects in their respective classes, starting with Taylor, who’s headed to Lawrence after his senior season. Packed with bat strength, bat speed, and impact potential, Taylor has hit eight home runs in each of the last two seasons at CBC, a testament to the power production he’s capable of. Gage, a star football player, hit .314 and posted a .951 OPS in 70 at-bats as a sophomore with eight extra-base hits and 22 stolen bases. Then there’s Rallo, a polished, highly advanced left-handed bat that screams “hitter” and has done nothing but that throughout his career. As a freshman, he hit right in the middle of this lineup, slashing .354/.494/.508 with a pair of home runs and 20 RBI. 

 

Brady Rallo

 

It’s more than just those three in the Cadets’ offense. INF Ryan Horne (2026; Jefferson JC), INF Patrick Effer (2026), Brayden Schriemann (2026), and OF Kale Price (2026; Central Christian) all return experience from a year ago. MIF Dane Ellis (2026; East Central) and INF Ryan Mueller (2026; Westminster) are two seniors committed to play collegiately that could play a role. Another football player, 1B/OF Drake Clifton (2027), is a physical right-handed bat whose addition could be of impact, as is INF Jackson Brandon (2027), another junior newcomer. 

 

Ultimately, what the Cadets get on the mound will be the deciding factor in how successful this team is in 2026. They have the talent to be a productive group and, if they’re consistently in the zone, can really help elevate this club. 

 

Two top returning arms for CBC are LHP Daniel Bergner (2026; Drury) and RHP Ryker Williams (2026; East Central). Bergner, who’s a low slot strike-throwing southpaw, punched out 31 batters over 21 ⅔ innings as a junior, walking only nine to a 2.91 ERA. Williams took on a bigger workload, tossing 34 ⅓ innings with only seven walks and a 3.87 ERA. 

 

Daniel Bergner

 

An ‘X-Factor’ of sorts for this pitching staff is RHP Cameron Fuqua (2026). The strong-armed uncommitted senior sat 88-89 mph with his fastball in one of our looks this winter, spinning an upper-70s slider off it, while also showing a splitter at 78-81 mph. From a stuff standpoint, he’s the most talented arm on this club, and if he can reign in what he’s able to do on the mound, the Cadets will have a true impact arm to roll out on a week to week basis. Looking around their roster, RHP Noah Merrifield (2026) is a senior that’s a candidate for added time on the bump. RHP Baron Martin (2027) and RHP Ephrom Campbell (2027) are a pair of junior arms worth noting as well. 

 

Cameron Fuqua

 

NO. 14, ST. DOMINIC 

Another program on this list that’s won a ton over the past few springs, the Crusaders made their deepest playoff run in a while, capturing their district championship before falling to Rockwood Summit in sectional play. St. Dominic has built itself into a winner and they once again look like a top team in Class 5 entering the spring. 

 

Offensively, 1B/OF AJ Flamm (2026; Moberly) was absolutely excellent throughout his junior spring. In 111 at-bats, Flamm slashed a ridiculous .486/.544/.595 with nine doubles and 27 RBI to headline the St. Dominic offense a year ago. His return to this lineup will provide a huge boost, as does 1B/OF Cooper Montgomery (2026; Moberly) coming back. A powerful left-handed bat, Montgomery struggled at times last spring, but he did homer five times and finished the spring with a .903 OPS. We’re expecting him to hit right in the middle of this order and have an impactful spring at the plate to finish his senior season. 

 

Cooper Montgomery

 

Also back after an impressive junior year for St. Dominic is MIF Danny Henke (2026). In 90 at-bats throughout the 2025 season, Henke hit .333 and reached base at a .516 clip with 11 extra-base hits, 20 RBI, and he also swiped 16 bags. C Chris Eggering (2026; McKendree), OF Kolt Hopper (2026), INF Dylan Dawson (2026; Graceland), and INF Drew Laramie (2026; Columbia) are a handful of other seniors of note.

 

Kolt Hopper

 

St. Dominic lost a bulk of their innings from last year’s team, and how effectively they’re able to replicate that workload will likely be the deciding factor between the success of this group. One name to watch that’s capable of stepping up in a big way is RHP Alex Fields (2026; Illinois College). Fields has taken a jump this winter, now pitching in the mid-to-upper-80s with his fastball, and if he’s consistently in the zone, is capable of jumping into a more expanded role on this staff. Two other names worth highlighting are RHP Noah Price (2026; Drury) and LHP Chase Spurgeon (2026). Price had a 3.73 ERA in 20 ⅔ innings last spring, while Spurgeon posted a 2.47 ERA in 11 ⅓ innings. 

 

Moving away from their senior class, RHP Nolan Struckmann (2027) figures to be a top arm for this club, like he was throughout his sophomore spring. Last year, Struckmann threw 28 ⅓ quality innings with a 3.46 ERA, punching out 18 while walking 12. With a full year of varsity experience under his belt, Struckmann will firmly be in that mix to headline the top spot in this rotation. RHP Colin Donaldson (2027) and RHP Landon Jung (2027) are two other junior arms that could log innings this spring. 

 

As far as their underclassmen go, MIF Jaxson Czerniewski (2028) figures to be one of the main pieces for this club. He earned a brief cup of coffee at the varsity level as a freshman, taking 51 at-bats last spring, and is a strong, athletic right-handed hitter capable of providing an impact at or near the top of this lineup. RHP Matt Patton (2028) is a low-80s arm that could see time on the mound this spring.

 

NO. 15, FESTUS

Festus has built itself into one of the more consistently excellent programs in Class 5. They’ve won five straight district titles, finished as state runner-ups in 2022, and took home the state championship in 2023. Even after entering the postseason with a below .500 record last spring, the Tigers beat three quality clubs in district play and played state runner-up Vianney plenty tough in sectionals. 

 

The name of the game at Festus has been pitching, and the Tigers bring back two excellent southpaws to headline their rotation in LHP Jackson Smith (2026; Michigan) and LHP Cale Schaumburg (2026; SWIC). Smith can flat-out pitch, and the future Wolverine was stellar as a junior, punching out 71 batters in 57 ⅓ innings with a 2.32 ERA and 19 walks. He’ll also be one of this team’s more impactful offensive threats, bringing back a .315 batting average with a .852 OPS and nine extra-base hits, including a pair of home runs. Schaumburg handled a bulk workload of his own, and was highly impressive throughout the spring, tossing 46 ⅓ innings with a 1.21 ERA and 54 strikeouts to just 13 walks. 

 

Staying on the mound, the Tigers return a bulk load of innings with their junior class, a group that hurled 80+ innings as sophomores a year ago. A notable name in that bunch is OF/LHP Jackson Ijames (2027), a highly physical southpaw that ran his fastball into the upper-80s at our Winter Showcase, MO event in February. When he’s in the zone, Ijames has proven he can miss bats regularly, striking out 29 over 22 innings a season ago. INF/RHP Brayden Beers (2026), LHP Nate Womack (2027), and RHP Lucas Perry (2027) are three arms that all threw last spring and bring depth to this staff. 

 

Jackson Ijames

 

Positionally, Ijames and Beers are two everyday regulars from a season ago poised to step into more prominent roles. Beers, in particular, was one of the Tigers’ more important run producers, driving in 23 total runs, tied for the second most on the club. INF Brayden Good (2027) is a name to watch, coming away from our winter circuit as a big winner with an overall enhancement to his tools across the board. He played everyday as a sophomore last spring, homering twice and bringing 23 runs home as well. INF Cooper Schilly (2027) earned 90 at-bats last spring and is an athletic up-the-middle defender that can really run. CIF Henry Brown (2027) has plenty of physicality from the right side and has the potential to add more everyday power to this lineup. Finally, look for C Cole Malusky (2027) to serve as the regular backstop for this group and take on the important task of leading this highly talented pitching staff. 

 

Brayden Good