Prep Baseball Report

MOKAN Preseason All-State: Preview


By: Diego Solares
Area Scout, Illinois & Missouri

On Sunday, February 12th, the PBR Missouri and PBR Kansas staffs will travel to the Mac N Seitz facility in Kansas City, MO, to host the MOKAN Preseason All-State. This invite-only event, which is in its fourth year, is set to host several of the most talented 2023-to-2026 graduates from across the two states. Players will participate in a pro-style workout in front of our scouts, gathering verified measurables as well as advanced data through the help of our tech partners.

To see a complete up-to-date roster of the players set to attend, click HERE. For all event details, including check-in times and pertinent information, click HERE.

2023 ROSTER PREVIEW

+ A pair of uncommitted seniors who showed well at events last year are headed to Mac N Seitz on Sunday: OF Dylan Atherton (Lee’s Summit North, 2023) and OF Ben Kerby (Truman, 2023). Atherton is a 6.8 runner with juice inside his right-handed barrel, regularly showing upper-80s exit velocities on average while peaking at 97.5 mph at an event last summer. Kerby, a left-handed bat, was one of the MOKAN Open’s biggest winners in October, showing easy barrel speed and an 88 mph arm from the outfield. Both of them are amongst the top position players in the state still looking for a place to play at the next level.

+ Dipping into the junior class, we’ll see two of the Midwest’s most talented prospects on Saturday: INF Trey Snyder (Liberty North, 2024; Tennessee commit) and INF Drew Dickerson (Lee’s Summit West, 2024; Missouri commit). Snyder is the state’s top 2024 prospect, slotted at No. 64 nationally, and he’s a dynamic, do-it-all type of athlete who’s capable of positively impacting the game in multiple ways. His bat played a key role in leading Liberty North to their first ever state championship in his sophomore season, and his glove has consistently proven capable of sticking on the infield long term. Few have the upside that the 6-foot-3, 204-pound Dickerson does, wielding an immensely potent right-handed bat, one that reached a max exit velocity of 104.8 mph this past fall, averaging 94 mph per batted ball. He’s also a 6.71 runner coupled with an 88 mph arm across the infield, making for one of the most explosive profiles in the ‘Show Me’ state.

+ A pair of PBR Future Games alum will be in attendance on Saturday: C/CIF Brodie Short (Lutheran St. Charles, 2024) and RHP Cooper Hudson (William Chrisman, 2024). Short’s left-handed bat is amongst the state’s best, barreling baseballs up with regularity while performing in-game to our staff. He showed an improved look behind the plate defensively at the Future Games as well, and the 6-foot-1, 212-pound uncommitted junior is poised for a big year in 2023. Hudson, who’s built physically in his own right at 6-foot-3, 200-pounds, is an upper-80s arm that compliments his fastball with two quality secondaries - a low-70s breaking ball and firm, upper-70s changeup.

+ Two more juniors from the Kansas City area headed our way Sunday to note: RHP/OF Lucas Redd (Rockhurst, 2024) and C Jack Kesler (Lee’s Summit North). Redd’s physicality is evident and he doesn’t lack any strength on a 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame. He took a loud round of BP at the Mac N Seitz Scout Day in the fall, and we’ve heard reports that his fastball velocity has been climbing into the upper-80s this winter. As for Kesler, the athletic 6-foot, 177-pound backstop has well advanced catch-and-throw skills for his age, popping as fast as a 1.90 on his best bullet at the MO Fall Upperclass Games last September. He swings a loose, easy right-handed bat to pair that’s comfortable using the whole field as a result. 

+ Turning to the 2025 class, OF Brandon Hill (Lee’s Summit North) is one of the state’s top sophomores, slotted within the top-30 on our rankings. He’s a physical 5-foot-9, 191-pound athlete with natural athleticism, swinging a fluid right-handed barrel with bat strength to pair (97.7 mph max EV).

+ A standout at the Competitive Edge Scout Day in the fall, INF Dayton Doll (Platte County, 2025) is a name to know on this roster. Doll played a role in the Pirates’ state championship this past spring, was a standout on the football field this fall, and swings a fast right-handed bat with all-field feel. He’ll certainly be a key cog to Platte County’s title defense in 2023, and we’re expecting a strong performance from him this weekend.

+ Two backstops from the 2025 class that are follows from the Kansas City area: C Mason Jeffers (Liberty) and C Easton Phillippe (Staley). Jeffers has highly projectable levers attached to a 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame and he flashed plenty of power upside at the Competitive Edge Scout Day in the fall. Phillippe is a steady defensive backstop with advanced receiving skills, soft hands, and a quick accurate arm behind the plate. He swings a short, compact left-handed swing as well, making for an intriguing profile given his defensive prowess.

+ Dipping into the state’s current freshman group, INF William Bologna (Liberty North, 2026) is a name-to-know. He’s athletic on the infield with crisp actions and a clean, upside right-handed swing to pair. We’ve heard nothing but positive things about him and we’re eager for our up-close look since June of 2021. 

ITINERARY


+ Check-in Times:

  • Group 1 Position Players & Two-ways: 8:15 a.m.

  • All Pitcher Onlys: 11:00 a.m. 

  • Group 2 Two-ways & Catchers: 11:30 a.m. 

  • Group 2 Position Players only: 12:00 p.m.

**To see which group you are in for this event CLICK HERE**

MORE EVENT DETAILS

Click here to learn more about our tech partners that have enhanced our players showcase experience. Partners like TrackMan, Blast Motion, and Swift have helped both our in-event evaluation process, as well the compilation of our post-event scouting reports – and they're also a tool for our players to learn more about their measured and collected data, that can be applied to improve upon their game.

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