On Tuesday, June 6th, the PBR Missouri staff will travel to Atkins Field in Columbia, MO, to host the annual Top Prospect Games: Underclass event. This invite-only event will pit some of the state’s top 2025, 2026, and 2027 graduates, and those in attendance will participate in a pro-style workout, followed by a simulated game. 

Over the years, this event has provided our staff with an up-close look at some of the state’s premier underclass talent. These ‘Top Prospect’ events, like all of our PBR showcases, serve as identifiers for future invite-only events, like the PBR Future Games. 

For more information on our upcoming trip to Columbia, click HERE. To see the full rosters from the event, click HERE. 

ROSTER PREVIEW

Ryan Bradford OF / Seckman, MO / 2025 From 2/23/23: “…Bradford has added significant mass since we saw him last winter, now standing at a muscled-up 5-foot-11, 171-pounds with strength attached throughout. He showed elite bat speed at the plate, peaking at 85.3 mph, while averaging 79.8 mph per swing. That, paired with his inherent strength, helped Bradford pummel baseballs on repeat, squaring balls up at 89.9 mph on average with a 102.2 mph max. He hit the day’s furthest ball (351 ft.) and his 267 ft. average batted distance tied for the event lead, too. Bradford took defensive reps on the infield and from the outfield, reaching 83 mph highs from both spots, and he also ran a 3.89 30-yard dash earlier in the day. Bradford is firmly a name we’ll be monitoring this spring, and he’s one of the top sophomores we’ve seen on our winter circuit thus far."

Tanner Graham RHP / Columbia Hickman, MO / 2025 From 5/5/23: “…strong, well-proportioned 6-foot-1, 210-pound athlete that’s a top-50 prospect in Missouri’s sophomore class. Toed the rubber against a quality opponent and held his own, showing our staff the same polished arsenal we’d seen in the past. Ran his fastball up to 88 mph, pitching at 84-87 mph from a low-effort, clean, and easy operation that suggests more velocity is yet to come. Turned to a curveball often with big break at 71-73 mph and landed it for strikes, turned over a changeup that flashed late fade at 73-74 mph. Comfortable throwing both of his secondary pitches in all counts to all hitters. An upside arm in the state’s 2025 class with a high floor and high ceiling."

Eli Kemna 3B / St Elizabeth R-IV, MO / 2026 From 3/1/23: “...provided our staff another upside look this past weekend. The lean, lanky 6-foot, 165-pound freshman ran his fastball up to 82 mph, sitting at 78-81 mph with feel to spin his 69-70 mph breaking ball around the zone, and adding a 72-75 mph changeup into the mix, too. Kemna swung a simple and projectable right-handed bat in BP, staying level through the zone while working pull-side line drives throughout.”

Brody Kleffner RHP / Fatima, MO / 2025 From 2/7/23: "...whose long arms and lanky 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame ooze upside, first popped to our staff at the St. Louis Open last fall. He built off that performance and improved greatly in this look, swinging an extremely loose and fast right-handed bat throughout BP. Kleffner averaged 76.1 mph of bat speed and 22.6 mph of hand speed, both of which grade out to the highest performance tier on our player profiles for someone his age. He worked the pull-side throughout BP, repeated his swing rather consistently, and should only add more thump as his frame continues to fill out. Kleffner’s fastball sat at 81-84 mph on the mound with natural run and sink from a live, loose arm action. His primary off-speed pitch in this look was a 72-74 mph changeup that also showed run and sink, working with similar extension and from the same arm angle as his fastball."

CJ Lake 3B / Oakville, MO / 2026 From 2/21/23: “...emerged as a name-to-know prospect with loud tools attached to a 6-foot-2, 170-pound frame in the state’s freshman class. Lake squared up several baseballs with authority in BP from a twitchy right-handed swing, reaching a 99.1 mph max exit velocity while averaging 90.3 mph per batted ball. His furthest ball traveled 339 feet, the fourth furthest number of the entire event. After standing out with the bat, Lake hopped on the mound and ran his fastball up to 86.7 mph, the day’s firmest bullet, while holding 84-86 mph throughout. Lake also spun a high-60s slider with heavy horizontal action (15.8 inches) and created natural run on his changeup (21.3 inches) at 70-72 mph as well. Set to start his high school career shortly, Lake’s raw talent and future upside left a positive mark on our staff.”

Carson Leuthauser C / Rockwood Summit, MO / 2027 From 2/9/23: “…the 5-foot-8, 160-pound backstop represented Team Missouri at the Junior Future Games last summer and provided for yet another strong look this past weekend. Leuthauser elevated hard contact in BP, reaching a max exit velocity of 89.3 mph from a strong, quick right-handed swing. His most valuable asset may come on the defensive side, however, as Leuthauser boasts well advanced arm strength for his age, topping at 79 mph from the crouch and consistently popping in the 1.95-2.00 range."

Landon Matthews OF / Lafayette , MO / 2026 From 5/30/23: “…compact 5-foot-10, 165-pound frame with strength in the lower half. Put together a polished 'pen at the Preseason All-State, throwing a true three-pitch mix that we saw play in-game this spring in an extra-innings contest against Fort Zumwalt South. Fastball played at 80-81 mph with some rise/run traits. Advanced breaking ball for his age, spun it around the zone at 68-70 mph while averaging 14 inches of horizontal movement. Limited spin and lift on his changeup, naturally running it to the arm-side at 74-75 mph from the same arm slot as his fastball. Hurled 24 innings over 11 appearances as a freshman for a Lafayette team that made it to the state quarterfinals, posting a 3.50 ERA.”

Brady Nolen OF / Festus , MO / 2025 From 3/1/23: "...made a name for himself after a high-end athletic showing at this event. Nolen, who’s a 6-foot, 180-pound athlete with strength attached, ran the day’s fastest 60 time, clocking a 6.79 on our Swift lasers. He consistently peppered the back net in BP with line drives, swinging a loose, easy, and athletic right-handed swing. Nolen stayed on the barrel consistently, averaging 89.8 mph per batted ball, and his 95.7 mph max exit velocity was amongst the highest marks for any 2025 prospect in attendance. His athleticism showed in the outfield too, where he attacked the ball with confidence and rhythm, topping at 88 mph on his firmest throw home. Headed into his sophomore year, Nolen will look to play a role on a Festus squad that will aim to return to the 5A state playoffs this spring."

Chase Stieferman LHP / Capital City Cavaliers, MO / 2027 From 3/4/23: “…the 5-foot-10, 165-pound southpaw put together a highly polished ‘pen, pounding the strike zone with all three of his pitches. Stieferman’s fastball played in the low-80s, topping at an easy 83 mph with more to come down the road. Stieferman spun a 69-70 mph curveball with depth for strikes, and his changeup is advanced, limiting spin with natural fade at 73-74 mph. Given his present polish, advanced arsenal, and pitchability, Stieferman checks plenty of boxes of a high-end prospect in his class."

Logan Studer C / St. Louis University, MO / 2026 From 11/17/23: “…had a promising showing at the PBR Junior Future Games in August, slotting into the 12th spot on these first rankings. At 5-foot-9, 160-pounds, Studer was all over the barrel in both BP and gameplay at LakePoint, serving as a true middle-of-the-order threat for a talented Team Missouri squad. His ability to hit the ball hard to all fields is natural, and as his body continues to physically progress so will his inherent bat strength. Studer can captain a team behind the plate as well, receiving the ball with soft hands and chesting dirt balls up on the regular. He’s accurate from the crouch as well, finding the bag with consistency during his defensive workout. Studer is capable of impacting the game in multiple ways, and we’re eager to see him again this winter after a productive off-season."

Henry Vedder RHP / St. Francis Borgia, MO / 2026 From 5/30/23: “…long, lean, and lanky 6-foot-4, 165-pound frame with plenty of physical projection left to come. Was a winner from the A's Scout Day in February, has seen playing time this spring on a St. Francis Borgia squad that is now in the Class 5 'Final Four'. Fastball plays in the low-80s, spins a shorter wrinkle breaking ball with downer spin and intent. Projectable on the mound in all facets, also swings a quick, flat right-handed bat.”

Tyler Putnam RHP / Battle, MO / 2026 Long, lanky 6-foot-4, 170-pound athlete that saw time on the mound as a freshman this spring for his Battle squad. Provided intrigue at this event last year, has reportedly ticked up even moreso from a velocity standpoint since our latest look.

ITINERARY 

Position Players: 9:30 a.m.

Pitcher Onlys: 11:30 a.m. 

*Catchers will stay for both sessions*

*NOTE: Games are simulated to regulate pitch counts and innings played.

MORE DETAILS

Click here to learn more about our tech partners that have enhanced our players showcase experience. Partners like TrackMan, Blast Motion, Swift, and more that 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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