Missouri Class of 2024 Rankings: Update
August 23, 2023
With the spring and summer seasons under our belt, it’s time for another update to the state’s 2024 rankings.
This class continues to solidify itself as another high-end group to roll through the ‘Show Me’ state, with premier talent at the top and plenty of players scattered throughout that will have impactful careers at the next level.
Below we’ve detailed the top of our latest ‘24 board, shining some light on the top-10 and a few names just outside of it. As the week rolls on, we’ll spotlight a few names that rose up our board, as well as those who debuted for the first time, so be on the lookout for those respective stories.
For now, continue reading to learn more about our updated 2024 rankings.
The top three prospects in our 2024 rankings remain unchanged, with INF Trey Snyder (Liberty North; Tennessee), LHP Cole Gibler (Blue Springs; Arkansas), and INF Drew Dickerson (Lee’s Summit West) making up the top of our board:
+ Snyder’s stock has done nothing but rise over the last few months, reaching as high as it ever has during his prep career. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound highly athletic shortstop helped lead the Eagles to consecutive 6A state championships this past spring, riding that momentum into an impressive summer across multiple major circuit stops. He’s always hit, though Snyder is starting to impact the baseball more consistently now, and he’s proven himself capable of doing so against some of the top competition in the country. Aside from his bat, Snyder’s a free-flowing mover on the dirt that should stick there at the next level, whether it be collegiately or professionally. He’ll head into the fall with plenty of helium and is surely someone that teams will be checking in on consistently throughout next spring.
“...Tennessee commit and presently the No. 1 prospect in Missouri’s 2024 class, slotted at No. 43 overall nationally. 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame with strength throughout. Athletic with bat speed and line drive feel, used the whole field and collected a pair of hits on the tournament’s first day. Low effort mover on the dirt with nimble, rhythmic footwork and soft hands to pair. Made a handful of difficult plays look routine as the weekend went on, including a backhand play to escape a jam on Friday night.”
+ Gibler’s sheer ability to pitch hasn’t ever been a question, but the 6-foot-2, 180-pound has consistently held louder stuff over the last few months. Now, Gibler pitches in the upper-80s, touching 92 mph a handful of times this summer, while attacking hitters consistently with a low-8s changeup and upper-70s slider. Gibler was another prospect to pop on a national scale this summer, coming away from the National Program Invitational in early June as an arrow-up follow:
“...Ranked 52nd overall in the class, Gibler’s electric look at the NPI warrants strong consideration for rising at the end of the summer. Across four innings of work, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound southpaw struck out seven against two walks without yielding a hit. Long lauded for his “invisible fastball”, the pitch worked 88-92 (mostly 1900s rpm) with ride and run present to the bottom of the zone as he collected a plethora of in-zone misses. More uptempo than in prior years, his dynamic athleticism presented some exceptional movement down the mound as he stepped crossfire adding to the deception of the fastball. Flashing a changeup (83-84) and slider (77-79), he hardly needed the two secondary pitches as he bullied the opposing lineup by applying the pressure with the fastball. This look saw some inconsistency with both secondary offerings, but was hardly of concern, and subsequent looks are likely to better uncover the level to which they play. Overall, it was a stellar start to the summer for one of the class’ premier left-handers.”
+ Dickerson’s physicality, tools, and upside are enormous, as arguably the region’s top uncommitted prospect really looks the part in a uniform at 6-foot-4, 205-pounds. He’s a 6.6 runner with enormous raw power and, while he’s still learning how to tap into it consistently, has real middle-of-the-order upside at the next level. He’s an apt defender on the dirt too that’s capable of sticking on the left side at the next level, but should have no problem transitioning to an outfield role if needed, too. Our last live look came at Creekside during the MSHSAA season, where Dickerson stood out and earned a highlight within our weekly scout blog:
“...The physically impressive 6-foot-4, 200-pound SS moves exceptionally well both in the box and at SS. Defensively, Dickerson is able to stay under the ball, move his feet with bounce, and throw with accuracy from different slots with arm strength. Offensively, the right-handed hitter has shown as much if not more pop than in ‘24 in the state. There is some swing and miss at times, but with the high end athleticism, expect him to continue to learn how to control the barrel as he continues to polish his game.”
A pair of SEC commits round out the top five, sitting at fourth and fifth on our list, respectively: LHP Brady Kehlenbrink (Parkway South; LSU) and RHP Andrew DuMont (SLUH; Tennessee).
+ Kehlenbrink doesn’t lack strength or physicality, toeing the rubber at a muscled-up 6-foot-1, 200-pounds. His fastball plays anywhere in the 88-92 mph range, reaching 93 mph on a cold afternoon this April. Kehlenbrink’s arsenal consists of a power mid-70s curveball with sharp downer spin that he trusts often, and he’s also able to create natural arm-side run on a low-80s changeup. Kehlenbrink’s sheer ability to pitch is what makes him special as he’s a true bulldog on the mound with the stuff to back it up.
“...LSU commit. 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame that doesn’t lack strength at all - broad shoulders, thick lower half. Represented Team Missouri at the PBR Future Games last summer. Rose to No. 4 overall in the state’s 2024 class rankings after a productive winter circuit. Struck out 13 batters over five innings of work. Fastball sat 91-93 mph early, settling at 87-91 mph as his outing went on, with late arm-side action and feel for both corners. Spun a 73-76 mph breaking ball that flashed sharp, late bite. Capable of landing it around the zone for strikes. Clear presence on the mound, poise and polish is advanced for his age. Has the stuff, mental makeup, and physical stature to maintain his status as a high-end arm in the state’s 2024 class throughout his prep career.”
+ DuMont is another power arm in this class, using an athletic, intentful delivery downhill and a fast arm to produce upper-80s fastballs, peaking at 91 mph in our live look this spring. He’s confident and convicted in a sharp, lateral low-80s slider that he showed capable of landing for strikes as well. DuMont dominated for the Jr. Billikens this past spring, pitching to a 1.94 ERA over 36 innings while punching out 51 and walking just 11.
“...Tennessee commit. Strong, well-proportioned 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame. One of the top arms in Missouri, slotted at No. 5 overall in the state’s 2024 class and No. 85 nationally. Drew the start for the Jr. Billikens in their semi-final game against DeSmet. Fastball played in the upper-80s, touching 91 mph in the first, with late life and sizzle at times. Spun a firm slider at 80-82 mph with lateral break, landed it for strikes on occasion.”
Rising up eight spots in this update is another premium uncommitted prospect in this class: RHP Kaden Durnin (Camdenton). Durnin rose considerably the last time we shuffled up these rankings, but the 6-foot-3, 185-pound senior upped his ceiling after the spring and summer. He was a true two-way phenom for a really good Camdenton team this spring and did nothing but show well at Creekside, too. He was up to 93 mph twice, holding 88-92 mph while flashing tight downer spin on an upper-70s slider. Durnin showed out at Area Codes too, pumping his fastball up to 95 mph, while pitching in the low-90s and getting more swing-and-miss on his breaking ball. With the fall set to start shortly, Durnin is certain to be a popular commodity for both college coaches and professional scouts.
“...Durnin brought some high-octane velocity out of the bullpen for the White Sox. A tight arm circle into a deceptive near over-the-top arm slot with low-to-mids 90s velocity with carry and command. Low-80s breaking ball was a weapon with tilt and creating big depth for swing and miss. Showed an ability to throw both for strikes consistently. Changeup appeared sparingly at 83-84. An easy operation with a physical 6-foot-3 frame that is still uncommitted and could be just scratching the surface of his potential.”
+ INF Grant Hollister (Blue Springs South; Indiana) swings one of the more advanced and polished right-handed bats in the class with an all-around mature approach at the plate. The Indiana commit did nothing but perform yet again for the Jaguars this past spring and impressed our staff at Creekside across a handful of looks, too. All he does is hit, staying on the barrel to the whole field regularly with minimal swing and miss to boot. Though the bat is his carrying tool, Hollister’s improved defensively over the last calendar year, moving comfortably around the dirt with fluid feet and an accurate arm across.
“There is something innately hitterish about Hollister’s approach at the plate, and he routinely turned in quality at-bats throughout a condensed look at Lakepoint throughout the NPI. Built with some compact strength on a 5-foot-11, 185-pound frame, the right-handed hitting infielder builds strength from the ground up with the hands remaining compact to the frame throughout a quick stroke with noticeable bat speed and strong forearms. The balance and ability to create quickness in a tight window stands out, and the all jumps off the bat with some eye-opening firmness. Covering the plate, his pitch recognition and ability to slow things down is advanced, and while the right/right, second/third profile is less valued, the ability to hit is not, and that should provide Hollister with ample looks over the next year.”
UTL Tytus Cissell (Francis Howell; Missouri) is another helium prospect in this class, rising to eighth overall in this update. Cissell was a huge piece to the Vikings’ state runner-up finish, slashing .396/.462/.540 with 15 extra-base hits and 24 stolen bases. He rode that momentum into the summer, raking at nearly every stop, including at both LakePoint and Creekside. A switch hitter, Cissell generates bat speed from both sides of the plate from a rhythmic, highly athletic swing capable of hitting velocity and spraying line drives to all fields. Cissell, who’s a true 6.5 runner, adds even more value to an already plus run tool by playing the game hard at all times, too. Expect the 6-foot-2, 175-pound utility man to keep trending in the right direction throughout his senior season.
“…Lean, wiry 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame that’s added noticeable strength over the last calendar year. Switch-hitter that comfortably fits towards the top of a lineup as a true table-setter type. Did it a little bit of everything on the first day of the tournament over a two game look. Dropped a bunt down for an infield single, beat out a routine ground ball for another hit on a 4.12 down the line. Jumped on a 95.3 mph fastball and barreled it the other way for a single afterwards. Plays the game hard with a consistent motor and burst out of the box, gets to peak speed quickly. Steady glovework on the infield, also a more than comfortable mover in center field that easily covers ground. Trending upward in a major way after a strong spring season, as well as an impressive start to the summer circuit, and is still uncommitted.”
RHP Jack Nobe (St. Francis Borgia; Xavier) helped lead the Knights to a state runner-up finish this past spring, turning in multiple dominant performances down the stretch, while also throwing well in our looks this summer. He finished his junior year with a 1.05 ERA over 66 ⅔ innings of work, punching out 101 while walking only 14. Nobe’s a high level athlete on the mound with explosive arm speed and a lean-limbed 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame to pair. He was up to 93 mph this winter at the Rawlings Tigers Scout Day and pitched in the upper-80s, to low-90s, in our game looks, too. His primary secondary is a tight, aggressive upper-70s slider, and he’ll also mix in a running changeup in the low-80s.
“…6-foot-2, 175-pound lean-limbed athlete with wiry strength and quick twitch. PBR Future Games alum and Xavier commit. Helped lead St. Francis Borgia to the Class 5 state championship game this spring and continues to throw well in our looks. Fastball peaked at 91 mph in this look, pitching in the upper-80s from a fast, power high ¾ slot. Tight, bullet-like spin on his slider at 77-80 mph, also featured a low-80s changeup. A high-end arm in Missouri’s 2024 group that’s seemingly just scratching his surface.”
Rounding out the top-10 is RHP John-Paul Sauer (Jackson; Tulane), who’s phenomenal efforts on the mound helped the Indians reach Ozark this past spring. Sauer dominates nearly each time he toes the rubber, filling up the strike zone with three pitches, including an upper-80s fastball that’ll climb into the low-90s at times. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound right-hander can really spin a tight, bullet-like slider for strikes and whiffs, and he’ll comfortably turn over a mid-70s changeup with natural fade, too.
“…6-foot-1, 195-pounds. One of the top arms in Missouri’s 2024 class, represented Team Missouri at the Future Games last summer and committed to Tulane shortly afterwards. Took the mound on Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. and hurled a complete game shutout in a 1-0 victory for his team. Fastball held 87-90 mph throughout, working both corners consistently. Spun a sharp slider with intent, 78-80 mph, and turned over a 74-76 mph changeup to left-handed hitters that played down and to the arm-side. Continues to throw three pitches for strikes consistently and get outs at a high rate.”
OUTSIDE THE TOP 10…
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Christian Bobzin RHP / St. Paul Lutheran, MO / 2024From 3/1/23: “…solidified his status as one of the state’s top-ranked junior prospects after another loud showing last weekend. At 6-foot-4, 190-pounds, Bobzin showed a real four-pitch mix on the mound, pumping his fastball at 89-91 mph from a loose, quick arm. He flipped in a more gradual breaking ball with depth for strikes at 75-77 mph, and turned to a sharper, more firm two-plane slider at 78-80 mph. Bobzin rounded out his arsenal with a 78-82 mph changeup that he flashed feel to the arm-side for. His polish on the mound is evident, but Bobzin showed well as a position player, too. He ran a 6.98 60, one of the fastest times at this event, and he recorded a peak exit velocity of 95.9 mph, averaging 87 mph per batted ball. Currently slotted inside the top-10 on our state’s 2024 rankings, Bobzin is a high-end name-to-know junior in Missouri.” |
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Xander Schmitt C / Lafayette, MO / 2024Rankings StateRank: 12 / POS: 1
From 5/9/23: “…Kansas commit and one of the top prospects in the state’s junior class. 5-foot-11, 175-pound athlete with proportional strength throughout and room to add more. Took home MVP honors at the PBR Future Games last summer after an excellent performance at one of the premier circuit events. Has all sorts of bat speed and rotational athleticism to his offensive game. Finished 3-for-4 in this look with three loud barrels; a no-doubt home run over the left field fence, a rocketed double to the opposite field, and a beaming single off the left-center wall that missed leaving the yard by a few feet. Slashing .443/.556/.810 with six home runs and 21 RBIs this spring. Improved defensively behind the plate, presents the baseball properly with more consistency. Has always shown above-average arm strength for his age behind the dish. An arrow-up high-end name in Missouri’s junior group.” |
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Brady Picarelli OF / Eureka, MO / 2024Rankings StateRank: 13 / POS: 1
Missouri commit. Highly physical 6-foot-3, 205-pound left-handed hitter with a professional look in a uniform. Represented Team Missouri at the Future Games last summer and came away from the event a winner. Bat speed and strength from the left side, paced a potent Eureka offense this spring, slashing .443/.532/.797 with 15 extra-base hits, 13 stolen bases, and six more walks than strikeouts. |
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Tristan Hunter RHP / Forsyth, MO / 2024Rankings StateRank: 14 / POS: 6
From 3/4/23: “…At 6-foot-2, 178-pounds with lean strength and physical projection left, Hunter’s moves down the mound well and doesn’t exert much effort as a result, holding 91-93 mph throughout his ‘pen with hard horizontal action at times. He threw a changeup with ‘out-pitch’ potential at 77-81 mph, killing spin and lift with 17+ inches of run on average. Still fully developing his slider, Hunter flashed advanced raw spin on it, reaching nearly 2500 RPM with almost 15 inches of horizontal at 77-80 mph.” |
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Bo Jonas C / Liberty North, MO / 2024Rankings StateRank: 15 / POS: 2
5-foot-10, 200-pound frame with strength throughout, particularly in the lower half. Uncommitted, rounds out the top 15 of our rankings. Helped lead Liberty North to consecutive state titles this past spring. Strong right-handed swing with juice off the barrel. Has long impressed us behind the plate as a quality backstop, too. |
**CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2024 RANKINGS**