Throughout the spring season, the ScoutConnect staff is out and about in both Illinois and Missouri, checking in on some of the talent in those two states at the high school level. Aside from our social media coverage from these games, our staff prides itself on scouting, and we’re constantly formulating opinions on players that we see out on the field. 

 

We’ve decided to pour some of our thoughts into these ‘Scout Notes’, which essentially brings to life how we think and feel about several of these athletes. We’ve detailed more than 20 underclassmen, as in members of the ‘28 and ‘29 grad classes, that have caught our attention at the varsity level this spring season, which you can find below. 

 

Anderson Kaufmann, RHP, Alton, 2028
Athletic frame that holds compact strength throughout, broad shoulders, fills out the uniform. Toed the rubber for Alton in a Southwestern Conference matchup against Edwardsville on April 9th. Didn’t have his best outing from a box score perspective, but still looked every bit the part of a premium talent in the 2028 class on a national level. Simple, controlled delivery, repeats at a high level. Arm plays short and compact on the backside, high ¾ finish. Fastball carries with above-average spin traits, played at 87-90, touched 91 mph in the first inning. Consistently showed tight, sharp spin with tilt on a hard slider at 77-80 mph, swing-and-miss potential at the next level. High level competitor with immense talent to match, will be highly sought after come August 1st. 

 

Anderson Kaufmann

 

Anthony Rodrigue, INF, DeSmet, 2029
Strong, athletic left-handed hitter that stood out almost immediately in a look against O’Fallon on March 31st. Was on the barrel to the backside twice on that day, including a double into the left-center gap. Path works long through the hitting zone with impact and leverage out front. Has a chance to be a high level hitter in Missouri’s 2029 class. 

 

Anthony Rodrigue

 

Ben Delic, INF, Oakville, 2029 
Uncommitted. Started at second base and hit out of the two-hole as a freshman on one of the top teams in St. Louis. Finished 1-for-3 with a single and run scored. Jumped on the first pitch he saw of his varsity career and barreled it to the pull side for a single. Was on the barrel again in his next trip to the plate, elevating a pitch deep to right-center field that certainly would have gone for extra bases at most other parks. Does nothing but scream “hitter” at the plate. Easy, balanced operation, loads in rhythm, in the right spot to deliver the barrel. Clean path, stays on plane with the ability to leverage the baseball but also manipulate the barrel to cover all fields. Checks all the boxes of a premium, polished left-handed hitter that’s capable of having an immediate impact for Oakville’s offense. 

 

Ben Delic

 

Benjamin Winterer, C, Duchesne, 2028

Strong, physical frame, really looks the part. Started behind the plate and hit leadoff for Duchesne in a win over Vianney on April 15th. Worked on the barrel through the middle of the field twice – once for a single, and a hard lineout to center field. Strong hands, long barrel through the zone with leverage out front, clean finish. A talented, physical backstop to follow from the St. Louis area. 

 

Brady Rallo, OF/1B, CBC, 2028
Athletic frame with lean strength and room to continue tacking on more. Hits from the top of the Cadets’ lineup and plays first base, plenty capable of playing the outfield. Has done absolutely nothing but work on the barrel and produce the two times we’ve seen him this swing. Advanced bat speed for age, works short into the zone and stays long through it on a clean, fluid path that allows him to backspin the baseball to all fields. Minimal swing-and-miss with consistent feel for the barrel and carry off it. Advanced run tool, went the other way for a double against SLUH on April 8th and was 4.27 on the turn around the first base bag. Unquestionably one of the top offensive threats in St. Louis, regardless of class, and is a high level, must follow prospect this summer.

 

Brady Rallo

 

Brody Lee, 1B, Pattonville, 2029
Started at first base and hit ninth for the Pirates as a freshman starting on varsity. Finished 1-for-3 with a single through the middle of the field that drove in a run as part of a four-run fourth inning for Pattonville. Short, simple left-handed swing that stayed on a level plane through the zone. Will hit for more impact as he continues to physically mature and get stronger. Name to follow in Missouri’s 2029 class. 

 

Carson Miller, OF, Freeburg, 2028 
Strong, compact frame. Hit out of the nine-hole and started in left field for Freeburg in a 13-8 win over Columbia on April 7th. Finished 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and a RBI. Short, strong right-handed swing with feel for the barrel and the ability to go the other way off it. Tripled into the backside gap in his second at-bat of the game, went back that way for a single to drive in a run. 

 

Carson Miller

 

Cayden Jackman, OF, Kirkwood, 2028
Athletic, well-proportioned athlete with lean strength and room to keep adding more. Started in right field and hit out of the leadoff spot in both games for the Pioneers. Had three total hits on the day – singled in game one and scored. Kicked off day two with a bunt single, 4.22 down the line, and doubled later on in that contest. Loose, athletic hands that really work. Fluid left-handed barrel that stays level through the zone, clean finish through contact. Showed arm strength from the outfield in game two, threw a runner out at home on a strike from right in the first inning of game two. A talented, must-know sophomore with notable athleticism and a top-of-the-lineup profile who should be popular come August 1st. 

 

Charlie Willie, RHP, DeSmet, 2028
6-foot-2, 195-pound frame with long, highly projectable levers and all sorts of upside. Worked out of the ‘pen for the Spartans against O’Fallon. Didn’t have his best stuff on that day, but still showed immense intrigue and projection on the mound. Short arm stroke with a high ¾ finish, clean out the hand with notable extension through release. Relied mostly on the fastball in this look, played at 82-85 mph, more to come quick. Did show a shorter, tighter slider at 76-78 mph. A physical, talented arm to keep an eye on in St. Louis. 

 

Connor Basinski, RHP, Columbia, 2028 
6-foot-3, 195-pound frame with long, athletic levers that are only going to keep getting more physical. Took the ball for the Eagles in a conference matchup against Freeburg, allowing three earned runs over 4 ⅔ innings, walking three, and punching out three. Controlled, methodical tall/fall type delivery, gets over his front side and works best downhill through footstrike, finishing towards the first base side. Long arm swing that accelerates out front, clean over-the-top finish. Fastball touched 89 in the first, pitched at 85-88 mph, worked north-to-south and especially held plane at the top of the zone. Easy and free out the hand, has a chance to be a premium arm from a velocity standpoint. Best secondary on this day proved to be a 73-75 mph curveball with sharp, downer spin, bite at times. Can pair it well with a top zone fastball. A highly talented arm from southern Illinois that is still scratching the surface of what he will be at the next level. 

 

Connor Basinski

 

Connor Gray, INF, Belleville East, 2029
Long, lanky left-handed hitter, started at third base and hit out of the two-hole for Belleville East against Mascoutah earlier this season. Went 2-for-3 with a run scored and two singles on that day. Short, compact swing, can cover the plate and work to all fields. Has wasted no time acclimating to the varsity game from an offensive standpoint, hitting .383 on the season with a near 1.100 OPS. Clean, sure-handed actions on the infield, chance to stick on the left side of the infield as his career progresses. One of the top 2029 grads in the area that will be a staple name to know over the next few years. 

 

Connor Gray

 

Dan Lang, CIF, Vianney, 2029
Mature, physically filled out frame that holds strength throughout. Started at third base and hit fifth for the Griffins against Duchesne on April 15th. Went 1-for-3 with an RBI. Was on the barrel to the pull-side in his first at-bat for a hard ground ball. Covered the plate on an upper-80s fastball and took it the other way his next trip up to the plate for a hard double, putting the Griffins on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Easy hand strength and advanced impact off the barrel. Carries himself like a high level hitter, will be a high follow name in Missouri’s 2029 class. 

 

Dan Lang

 

Grayson Stone, CIF, Highland, 2029
Strong, physically advanced frame for age. Started at third base and hit out of the nine-hole for the Bulldogs in a look against Triad on April 13th. More than handled his own as a freshman at the varsity level on this day, finishing the day 3-for-3. Covered the plate for a hard two-strike single the other way in his first at-bat. Would add another single later on in the game and also launched a home run over the left field wall. 

 

Grayson Stone

 

Haiden Lange, RHP, Carterville, 2028
Strong, physically advanced frame that holds muscle mass throughout and room to continue adding more. Was excellent in a start on March 21st against Breese Central, punching out 10 across five shutout innings, walking two, with two hits allowed. Controlled, tempo’d mover on the mound, works slightly across his body and finishes with downhill intent through footstrike. Long, continuous arm swing finishes from a higher ¾ slot. Fastball showed cut/carry traits at 85-87, touching 88 mph, played best at the top of the zone. Showed feel to spin a short, tight slider at 76-78 mph, 2400+ RPM. Another high level sophomore arm to know in southern Illinois. 

 

Haiden Lange

 

Jack Bogard, MIF, Francis Howell, 2028
Athletic frame with compact strength. Hit out of the two-hole and started at shortstop for the Vikings across two looks this spring. High bat-to-ball skills with a knack for contact and the ability to use the whole field. Short, simple right-handed swing, doesn’t try to do too much with minimal swing-and-miss. Has struck out seven times in 56 plate appearances on one of the top high school programs in St. Louis, playing one of the toughest schedules in the area. Clean, sure-handed actions on the infield, comfortable on the move and covers ground with ease to both sides. Will stick through the middle of the field defensively at the next level. One of the top sophomores in Missouri’s 2028 class. 

 

Jack Bogard

 

Jon Calcaterra, RHP, Lindbergh, 2028 
6-foot-4, 200-pounds with present physicality and room to continue adding more. Took the ball for Lindbergh in a Midwest Classic matchup against top-ranked Francis Howell, firing seven shutout innings, with three hits allowed, one walk, and struck out six. Clean downhill mover, gets over his front side and finishes with intent through front footstrike. Long arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball played heavy and held 84-87 mph on a 45 degree day, strikes to all zones. Has been into the low-90s already and, given his physicality paired with the way he moves, will be sitting in that velocity range relatively shortly. Spun a sharp, tight slider at 75-79 mph, confident in it and landed it in the zone for strikes, as well as whiffs. One of the top arms in Missouri’s 2028 class that should only continue to get better as he gets more reps under his belt. 

 

Jon Calcaterra

 

Lavin Tull, LHP, O’Fallon, 2028
Lean, athletic frame with long levers. Came out of the ‘pen against Waterloo and struck out four over two innings of work. Worked exclusively out of the stretch with a high leg kick trigger, works directionally towards the third base bag. Long and loose arm swing, over-the-top slot. Fastball played in the low-80s, grabbed several uncomfortable and late swings at the top of the zone. Spun a bigger, bendy breaking ball with depth and shape at 68-69 mph, strikes.

 

Lavin Tull

 

Maxwell Nowak, RHP, Mt. Vernon, 2028
6-foot-6, 215-pounds with long, lanky levers that offer all sorts of upside. Took the mound in a win over DuQuoin, tossing 4 ⅓ innings with six strikeouts, four walks, and three earned runs on one hit. Tall, upright posture throughout his delivery with a shorter, open stride. Controlled his levers well and repeated early on, got out of sync more consistently later into the outing. Longer arm swing with some reach on the backside, ¾ finish. Heavy fastball played down in the zone at 84-86, touching 87 mph earlier, settling at 82-84 mph as he went on. Showed feel to land a shorter 73-76 mph slider for strikes, did flash hard dive/sink on changeup, 77-78 mph. An upside arm to follow from southern Illinois. 

 

Max Nowak

 

Nick Chiarodo, RHP/INF, Edwardsville, 2028
Lean, athletic frame with long, projectable levers. Worked out of the ‘pen against Sacred-Heart Griffin on March 30th and tossed five scoreless innings, striking out five, and walking none. Simple, controlled, and repeatable delivery, in-line finish. Long, loose arm swing on the backside, high ¾ finish, clean out the hand. Fastball sat 83-87, touched 88 mph once, and was consistently holding 86-87 mph towards the latter half of his outing. Spun two breaking balls; a bigger 72-75 mph curveball with sharp, downer spin, and a shorter, harder 78-80 mph slider with more lateral tilt. Turned over a 79-81 mph changeup to left-handed hitters with fade and arm-side feel. Also a notable prospect from a position player standpoint. Has a short, compact right-handed swing with a direct contact path, works on top of the baseball. Singled through the pull-side in his first AB on this day, sneaked a double down the left field line later in the game as well. A high-follow name in the Metro East’s 2028 class that should be plenty popular come August 1st. 

 

Nick Chiarodo

 

Nolan Moellering, CIF, Vianney, 2028
6-foot-3, 190-pounds with present physicality and room to keep adding strength. Started at first base and hit in the seven-hole for the Griffins on April 13th against CBC. Took a pair of quality at-bats against a tough left-handed arm. Worked on the barrel the other way for a hard lineout, singled back through the middle of the field in the subsequent at-bat. Strong hands with a longer, more level path through the zone. 

 

Nolan Moellering

 

Parker Brown, C, DuQuoin, 2028
Athletic, well-proportioned frame with lean strength and room to continue adding. Started behind the plate and hit out of the two-hole for DuQuoin in a matchup against Mt. Vernon. Went 1-for-4 on the day with a single through the middle of the field. Stood out particularly for his efforts behind the plate. Soft hands, quiet receive, works down-to-up. Shorter, more compact arm stroke from the crouch that works from a higher release, threw a runner out in this look. 

 

Ryan Caffey, C, Kirkwood, 2028 
Hit out of the two-hole in both games for the Pioneers, starting game one behind the plate and playing second base in game two. Took some of the best swings of the entire day in game one. Sprayed a single through the middle of the field in his first at-bat. Went backside off the barrel for a lineout in his next trip up to the plate, turned a pitch around and lined out to center field in his third at-bat. Came up to the plate in the bottom of the sixth and ignited the Pioneers’ rally with a backspun double into the right-center field gap. Short, simple left-handed swing with length through the zone on a level plane. Won’t swing-and-miss much and will be able to cover the whole plate with how his barrel works. Clear polish and advanced hit tool from the left side, is a top sophomore to know in the St. Louis’ area. 

 

Ryan Caffey

 

Tommy Moehlenbrock, OF/MIF, SLUH, 2029
Lean, athletic frame. Started in left field and hit seventh for SLUH against CBC on April 8th, finishing 1-for-2 with a single, a walk, and scored twice. Long hand load with a barrel tip trigger, keeps his rhythm. Longer path through the zone, clean with a high two-hand finish. Will hit for more impact and add bat speed as he adds strength to his frame. A talented underclassmen playing an everyday role for one of the top teams in the St. Louis area. 

 

Tommy Moehlenbrock

 

Trey Hrasky, OF/LHP, O’Fallon, 2028
Wiry, athletic left-handed hitter with lean strength. Has been an everyday contributor for one of the top teams in the Metro East throughout the spring season and has shown well across multiple different looks for our staff. Short, direct left-handed swing, hands work on top of the baseball and looks to use the whole field. Highly advanced runner for age, gets to peak speed out of the box quickly and is an asset in the run game. Can also jump on the mound in a pinch and pitch in the low-to-mid-80s from the left side with a big, bendy breaking ball. 

 

Trey Hrasky

 

Tyson Wampler, OF/RHP, Edwardsville, 2028
Long, lanky, lean-levered frame with wiry strength. Has been one of the biggest winners of the spring so far for our staff, impressing across two different looks at the Tigers. Hits in the middle of Edwardsville’s lineup as a sophomore. Homered to the pull-side and doubled that way, with another deep barrel caught near the left-center wall, against Sacred-Heart Griffin on March 30th. Followed that up with two triples to deep center/right-center against Alton on April 9th. Short, uphill path to contact, looks to elevate the baseball with a high two-hand finish. Has shown the ability to provide extra-base impact without next-level physicality or strength, will only continue to do so at a higher rate as he tacks on mass. A budding sophomore to follow in the Metro East that has been excellent for one of the area’s top teams in his first season of varsity action. 

 

Tyson Wampler