The Missouri high school baseball season is set to kick off shortly, with ‘Opening Day’ set for March 17th. Over the next two weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2023 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications.

Perennially, we’ve submitted a Preseason Questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.

Our 2023 preseason coverage continues today.

Team: Christian Brothers College
2022 Record: 22-11
Conference: Metro Catholic
Classification: 6A
Head Coach: Mason Horne

X-FACTOR

Camron Poe, LHP, 2023, Duke signee: Poe is a premium talent in the state’s senior class, slotted at eighth on our updated 2023 class rankings and within the top-350 nationally, too. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Blue Devils’ recruit has a dynamic arsenal, including a low-90s fastball, a swing-and-miss slider, and a low-80s changeup to round things out. His arm talent is undeniable and if he can step up to anchor this Cadets’ staff throughout the spring, CBC could really make a run into the MSHSAA playoffs.

STAT RAT

3 - The number of nationally ranked seniors within our company-wide top 500 board that the Cadets’ have on their roster. Aside from Poe, CBC has two other highly talented upperclassmen that’ll certainly leave their final mark on this program in 2023: INF Nazzan Zanetello (2023; Arkansas) and OF Kaden Peer (2023; Missouri).

OUTLOOK

Last year was yet another successful campaign for head coach Mason Horne, who concluded his 13th season at the helm of this program with a conference championship and 22-11 finish. The Cadets defeated Kirkwood and Parkway South en route to a District final loss to Marquette in a thrilling 8-7 contest. CBC enters this year with high expectations, and the Cadets have a roster littered with talent from top to bottom that’s capable of fulfilling.

At shortstop for the Cadets is Zanetello, who’s not only one of Missouri’s best seniors, but a premier name-to-know prospect on a national scale. He was a star at the Super 60, coming away from the winter’s premier scouting event with an arrow-up next to his name, oozing athleticism throughout a well-rounded workout. Zanetello caught PBR President of Scouting Shooter Hunt’s eye at the event, having this to say about the Arkansas signee:

“...was a clear standout at the event as he hardly broke a sweat while shining in all aspects. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Arkansas recruit possesses a frame that oozes athleticism as well as projection with plenty of strength still likely to be obtained in coming years. After cruising to a 6.62 60-yard dash time, the right-handed hitter compiled a pair of mature rounds in batting practice needing minimal effort to deliver a strong barrel through the zone. His controlled aggression provided for elite rotational acceleration as he generated significant bat speed without needing many moving parts. A simple short stride allowed the hands to quietly move into a power position with shorter separation before quickly working the barrel to the ball on a direct path with a rather controlled finish. Zanetello’s athleticism allows him to play all over the diamond, and his strong arm (95 mph from the outfield, 90 mph across on the infield) might even give him a chance to pitch if needed. The tools are obviously loud thanks to the elite athleticism and frame, and should the hit-tool show well throughout the spring, look for Zanetello to creep up draft boards.”

Nazzan Zanetello

Peer is unquestionably a star in his own right. Signed with Mizzou, Peer was the Cadets’ premier offensive threat last season, slashing .376/.491/.720 with 18 extra-base hits while pacing the team in home runs (5) and RBI (38). We recently saw Peer at the A’s Scout Day, and the 6-foot-2, 178-pound senior drew more than positive comments from our scouts:

“...athletic with strength, Peer only hit at this event, but his left-handed swing showed to be an asset, repeating quality contact throughout. He averaged 89.3 mph per batted ball with wood, peppering line drives to all gaps effortlessly, while peaking at 99.7 mph with a 368 ft. peak. Peer’s always been an above-average runner and he also owns one of the state’s strongest outfield arms. This uptick in bat strength, with a wood bat nonetheless, only adds to his profile, and Peer continues to look the part of a prospect capable of impacting the Tigers early on in his career should he make it to campus.”

Up close look at ‘23 OF Kaden Peer (@cadetbaseball; @MizzouBaseball) at the @AdidasAsBSB Scout Day.

All over the barrel, averaged 89.3 mph per batted ball, topping at 99.7 mph with wood. Furthest ball traveled 368 ft.

One of MO’s top seniors. @ShooterHunt | @NickHerrinsAs pic.twitter.com/iBka2RfVx6

— PBR Missouri (@PBRMissouri) February 28, 2023

Dripping down into their upperclass, the Cadets have a handful of bats that performed last season in their opportunities and return a more experienced core as a result. Matching Peer offensively in 2022 was C/INF Ryan Stevens (2023; Jefferson JC), who slashed .380/.470/.550 with 11 extra-base hits, 29 RBIs, and nine stolen bases. C Miles Birke (2023; Washington University MO) is another senior on this roster that should see time behind the plate too, batting .333 with a .506 on-base percentage over 89 plate appearances last spring. 1B/LHP Kyle Byrne (2023; Drury) and OF/LHP Jake McGhee (2024; Missouri) are two left-handed bats within this group that performed last spring in their opportunities. McGhee, in particular, could be a difference maker for this team, adding another true high-end talent to this lineup while also throwing 22 ⅓ innings last spring. OF Derrick Pitts (2024), C Logan Winkleman (2024), and 1B Tyler Laskowski (2024) deepen this offense even more, as three talented junior bats coach Horne has at his disposal.

Jake McGhee

Turning to the mound, two arms the Cadets will turn to behind Poe are RHP Peter Underwood (2023; Jefferson JC) and LHP Tyler Weber (2024). Underwood made 10 appearances last year, all in relief, and he struck out 25 batters over 20 ⅓ innings with a 3.73 ERA. The 6-foot, 180-pound senior made some strides this off-season, now consistently pitching in the upper-80s with his fastball, while spinning an improved slider and adding a changeup to his arsenal. Underwood elevating himself to a true top of the rotation arm would greatly benefit this staff. Weber stands at 6-foot-5, 207-pounds and briefly saw time on varsity last season as a sophomore. He’s a pitchability southpaw that works from a tough arm angle, sitting in the low-80s with his fastball while throwing both a changeup and curveball.

BOTTOM LINE

The Cadets came one win away from the state quarterfinals in 2022. Eight starters return from that bunch, and they’re a team loaded with impact talent in their upperclass. They’ll challenge again for the Metro Catholic Conference championship and certainly have a team capable of making their way to Ozark in June.

Follow along @PBRMissouri for complete coverage of the 2023 high school season.

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