PREP BASEBALL MISSOURI TEAM RANKINGS

Our rankings are broken up into two divisions: large school and small schools. We classify the 'large' schools as those residing in Class 5 & 6, while the small schools make up the remaining MSHSAA classifications. We rank what we believe to be the top teams in the state at that level, as well as highlighting several 'On Deck' teams.

Make sure to follow along on Twitter at @PrepBaseballMO for all of our high school coverage throughout the spring.

LARGE SCHOOL NOTES

+ There was plenty of movement at the top of our board this week, but No. 1 Fort Zumwalt West (23-7) remained in control of the top spot. The Jaguars split a conference set with a pesky Francis Howell Central squad, with wins over Parkway Central and Vianney on the week. Awaiting the Jaguars is a two-game conference set with their rival, Francis Howell. 

+ Rising up three spots to the highest they’ve been all year is Lee’s Summit West (21-7), as the Titans climb to No. 2 overall after an impressive week. They kicked things off with an extra-innings victory over Staley before taking two of three in a conference trio against a quality Raymore-Peculiar club. The Titans have as impressive of a resume as anyone in the state and have yet another tough ask this upcoming week with three games against Blue Springs. 

+ Francis Howell (22-8) bumps up one spot and now sits at No. 3 on our updated board. The Vikings continue to show their talents on the mound, allowing just two runs total over their four games this past week. They beat Francis Howell North twice, took down Rock Bridge, and fell to Glendale. 

+ To nobody’s surprise, Liberty North (22-7) is on an absolute tear right now, having won eight straight games. The reigning state champions are up one spot, now at No. 5 overall, and are coming off a 4-0 week. They won all three games against Blue Springs South, which is no easy feat, and they also took down Platte County, who’s also a talented bunch. Their offense matches up as anyone in the state and the Eagles have as much ‘big game’ experience as any team in Missouri, making them once again a real threat to make a trip to Ozark. 

+ The biggest riser on the week was Glendale (16-4), who had as impressive of a week as any, and is now at No. 9. They traveled up to Columbia and took down two of the top teams in the state, beating Rock Bridge 5-3 and Francis Howell 2-0. Glendale has wins over Nixa, Republic, and Webb City, and the Falcons look like a formidable squad capable of making some noise in Class 6 once District play rolls around. 

+ Though they didn’t rise, staying put at No. 10, it is worth noting the week that Fort Zumwalt South (19-4) had. In four games, the Bulldogs scored 40 runs and held their opponents to only two in total. Once again, Fort Zumwalt South looks every bit the part of a state contender in Class 5. 

+ We do have some fallers this week, as Rock Bridge (21-7), Eureka (18-9-1), and Nixa (17-12) all drop in this update. 

+ Though they didn’t crack the rankings this time around, it’s worth highlighting the year that Branson (19-8) is having. The Pirates have won six straight games, picking up wins over previously ranked West Plains, currently ranked Glendale, and Republic in that span. They’ll draw Willard this upcoming week in an anticipated matchup between two name-to-know teams in Class 5. 

+ There are a few teams to know that just missed the rankings, though are all strong clubs that can make some noise come District play: Liberty (17-7), West Plains (19-3), Parkway South (18-5), Kearney (19-7), Festus (18-5), Warrenton (19-3), and Lebanon (20-6). 

LARGE SCHOOL RANKINGS (4/29/24)

On Deck: Branson, Liberty (KC), Parkway South, Blue Springs South, West Plains, Kearney, Festus, Warrenton, Lebanon, Raymore-Peculiar, Fort Zumwalt East, Borgia, Seckman, Helias Catholic, Ozark, St. Dominic, Lebanon, Lafayette, Vianney, Republic, Lee's Summit, Vianney, Westminster Christian, Union, Capital City, Pacific, Parkway West, Farmington, Rockwood Summit, Liberty (Wentzville), Oak Park, CBC, Grain Valley, Marshfield

SMALL SCHOOL NOTES

+ The top three teams on our ‘Small School’ board remained unchanged, as Logan-Rogersville (19-3), Valle Catholic (27-1), and Southern Boone (21-7) all had strong weeks. 

+ Lone Jack (22-1) keeps climbing, bumping up two spots to No. 4 overall after a two-win week. Licking (18-3), Scott City (24-2), and St. Pius X (11-5) all jump up one spot this update. 

+ On the outside looking in, Benton (20-3) is a team to know that’s more than capable of making some noise in the Class 4 landscape. The Cardinals have rattled off nine straight wins and have two different five-plus game win streaks on the year as well. They’ve taken down some quality opponents too, with wins over Pembroke Hill, St. Pius X (KC), Ozark, Mid-Buchanan, and Kearney this year. 

SMALL SCHOOL RANKINGS (4/29/24)

On Deck: Benton, Duchesne, Summit Christian, Mid-Buchanan, MICDS, Portageville, Kennett, Seneca, St. Louis Patriots, St. Elizabeth's, Ash Grove, Lawson, Valley Park, Notre Dame, West County, Knob Noster, Putnam County, Savannah, Sullivan, Chaffee, Windsor, Oran, Fulton, Pembroke Hill, Moberly, Nevada, Pleasant Hill, Eldon, Boonville, Fatima, Galena, Mansfield, Northland Christian, Iberia, Wheatland, West County, Strafford, Clever, Fair Grove, Greenville, Halfway, Sacred Heart

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