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2026 Missouri State Games: Quick Hits, 2027 Grads

June 29, 2026
Eliott Wilk
Central Region Operations Director

On Tuesday, June 9th and Wednesday, June 10th, the Prep Baseball Missouri staff traveled to the campus of the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO to host the annual Missouri State Games. This event was open for 2027-2030 class members, selected by invite, and featured 130+ players from across the Show Me State.

All of our events offer players the opportunity to update their recruiting resume and showcase their talents in front of our staff. We also use these events as identifiers for future invite-only events, like the Preseason All-State, our summer Top Prospect Games, and the prestigious Prep Baseball Future Games that takes place at the tail end of the summer. To see what our events offer, click HERE.

Shortly after the event, our staff compiled several of the day’s stat leaders inside our traditional ‘Stat Story’, which you can find HERE. 

Today, after combing through our notes from the day, we’ve compiled some of the event’s upperclass standouts below within these ‘Quick Hits’.

2027 FOLLOWS

C Brendan Akers (Affton, 2027) put together a well-rounded performance behind the dish and at the plate during the Missouri State Games. Built with strength inside a 5-foot-10, 175-pound frame, the right-handed hitter showcased a clean line-drive approach in BP, peaking at a 92.4 mph exit velocity, and later carried that momentum into live action where he laced a double in game play. Defensively, Akers looked the part of an athletic backstop for his class, posting consistent pop times in the 2.08-2.16 second range with an accurate arm strength from the chute.

Brendan Akers

CIF Henry Brown (Festus, 2027) turned in an impressive all-around performance at our most recent look at the Missouri State Games, establishing himself as a high-end power bat to follow in the state's soon to be senior class. Packaged with obvious strength inside a durable 6-foot, 205-pound frame, the right-handed hitter put on a show in batting practice. Brown generated advanced bat speed to produce a personal-best 103.3 mph peak exit velocity and an impressive 95.6 mph average exit velocity, demonstrating the ability to consistently find the barrel with authority. Brown's combination of physical strength and loud offensive metrics shows middle-of-the-order run producer potential at the next level.

LHP Derek Chupp (Francis Howell, 2027) showed why he remains an extremely high-upside arm in the state's incoming senior class during his stint at the Missouri State Games. Physically imposing with a massive 6-foot-6, 247-pound frame, the southpaw fills out the uniform well and creates a very tough look for left-handed hitters. In this look, Chupp lived in the mid-80s, working his fastball comfortably in the 83-87 mph range and topping out at 87.7 mph with strong two-seam action. He complemented the heavy heater with a 73-77 mph slider that flashes as a short breaker playing exceptionally well off the fastball, while also mixing in a 78-79 mph changeup with killed spin. As he continues to mature and gain further control over his long levers, Chupp projects as a left-handed presence on the mound with plenty of velocity gains still left in the tank.

LHP Braden Cox (Troy Buchanan, 2027) provided an intriguing and high-pitchability look on the mound at the Missouri State Games. Showing off a lean, projectable 5-foot-10, 153-pound frame, the soon to be senior southpaw works with a high motor, operating quickly and consistently staying ahead of hitters. Cox pounded the zone from the left side with a functional three-pitch mix, running his fastball up to 84.4 mph while sitting comfortably in the low 80s with moderate spin (T2240 RPM). He effectively altered eye levels and upset timing by pairing his heater with a tight 70-72 mph slider and a deceptive 75-77 mph changeup that he threw with confidence around the plate. As Cox continues to mature physically and fill out his frame, his strike-throwing ability and quick tempo make him a high-follow left-handed arm to watch.

RHP Wyatt Cox (Marquette, 2027) provided a highly intriguing performance on the mound at the Missouri State Games, showing why he is a projectable uncommitted arm to watch in the state's soon to be senior class. Operating with an effortless over-the-top delivery, the right-hander fills out the uniform well with a lean 6-foot-1, 169-pound frame that holds plenty of room to add size and future velocity. Cox sat comfortably in the mid-80s with his fastball, topping out at 86.1 mph while displaying advanced command as he worked the heater to both sides of the plate. He showed true multi-pitch feel by pairing his fastball with an 83–84 mph firm cutter, a tight 74–76 mph slider, and a sharp 73–74 mph curveball. His ease of operation and projectable physical ceiling make him an arrow-up follow.

Wyatt Cox

OF Zachary DeHaas (Southern Boone, 2027) turned in an athletic performance at Tuesday’s Missouri State Games, showcasing a premium toolset that continues to rank among the most dynamic in the state. Standing at a physical 6-foot-1, 183 pounds, the right-handed hitter displayed notable bat speed during his BP round, producing a 92.9 mph peak exit velocity with a highly consistent 350-foot max distance. His explosive athleticism was fully on display during the physical testing portion of the event, where he recorded a blazing 6.32 60-yard dash time. Defensively, DeHaas paired his game-changing speed with real arm strength in the outfield, pacing his workout with an 87 mph velocity. His unique blend of physical frame, high-end run tools, and offensive upside makes him a premier uncommitted senior to follow.

C Ty DuKate (St. Charles West, 2027) hammered balls throughout his round at the Missouri State Games, showing off a physical 6-foot, 204-pound frame and an elite power profile. The physical senior posted a blazing 103.4 mph peak exit velocity, a 93.7 mph average, and a 359-foot max distance from a powerful right-handed stroke. DuKate also showed true athleticism on the turf with a quick 6.98s 60-yard dash.

RHP Beau Flinn (Fort Zumwalt North, 2027) popped as an intriguing uncommitted arm after a strong showing on the bump at the Missouri State Games. Flinn fills out a uniform well with a physical, well-proportioned 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame that points to projectable strength. The right-hander filled up the zone with an 85-87 mph fastball, pairing it with a heavy 86.6 mph sinker (2,192 RPM). His secondary mix was headlined by a sharp, high-spin 72-75 mph slider (T2,211 RPM) that he consistently used to get ahead and put hitters away. Consistently keeping hitters in between his life-filled fastball and sharp slider, Flinn also mixed in a fading 79 mph changeup to round out a highly effective arsenal.

CIF/C Gabe Garcia (Timberland, 2027) turned heads at the Missouri State Games with a power display at the plate paired with impressive defensive versatility. Standing at a physical 6-foot, 223 pounds, Garcia put on one of the loudest rounds of batting practice at the event, unleashing a powerful right-handed stroke that generated an event-leading 103.7 mph peak exit velocity and a head turning 98.5 mph average exit velocity. His advanced bat strength and ability to impact the baseball with authority were further cemented by a max tracked distance of 388 feet. Defensively, his raw tools translate to multiple spots on the diamond; he showcased a strong 86 mph arm across the infield while also showing a high-end catch-and-throw profile behind the dish, recording a 78 mph catcher velocity to pair with quick 1.98-2.00 second pop times. Garcia’s blend of sheer strength and middle-of-the-order power potential, him a high-impact prospect to watch over the coming seasons.

OF/LHP Vander Halford (Blair Oaks, 2027) put together a strong two-way performance at Tuesday’s Missouri State Games, showing high-level tools on both sides of the ball. Boasting a physical, projectable frame, the lefty-lefty standout started his day by showing off elite athleticism, flashing above average speed with a quick 6.83-second 60-yard dash. That explosive movement pattern translated directly into the batter's box, where Halford unleashed a powerful stroke that registered a 103.4 mph peak exit velocity and 94.0 mph average exit velocity, sending his furthest ball 377 feet. Defensively, he covered ground effortlessly in the outfield and uncoiled a true weapon of an arm, leading the event with a 91 mph throw from the outfield. Halford then hopped on the mound and ran his heavy fastball up to 86.1 mph (sitting 81-85 mph) while mixing in a sharp 75-77 mph slider that flashed swing-and-miss depth.

RHP Carson Hardin (Seckman, 2027) turned in one of the most dominant outings of the day on the mound during the Missouri State Games, aggressively pounding the strike zone and consistently missing barrels to rack up five strikeouts over two frames. Physically built with projectable size at 6-foot-3, 184 pounds, his fastball jumped out of the hand and topped out at 88 mph while sitting comfortably at 84-87 mph. The fastball showed an imposing high-ride profile, with 18.3 inches of induced vertical break. Hardin paired his heater with a tight, sharp slider that averaged 1,944 RPM to generate swing-and-miss depth, while also showing fade on his changeup. Hardin has solidified himself as a high-ceiling prospect to watch over the next year.

Carson Hardin

INF Reid Holliday (Hannibal, 2027) put his game-changing speed on full display at the Missouri State Games. Built with a lean 6-foot-1, 166-pound frame, the right-handed hitter blazed a 6.48-second 60-yard dash, flashing the kind of athleticism that translates to the basepaths and provides immense range on the dirt. Holliday also showed notable growth at the plate, registering a personal-best 91.3 mph peak exit velocity and driving his deepest ball 343 feet. Defensively, his natural bounce and quick-twitch actions were backed by an 80 mph arm across the diamond. His high-end speed profile and steady defensive foundation make him a very intriguing soon to be senior follow.

OF Noah Johnson (Lafayette, 2027) set the tone at the Missouri State Games as an elite athlete with head turning tools. Physically built at 6-foot-1, 176 pounds, Johnson blazed a 6.45-second 60-yard dash with a quick 3.59-second 30-yard split. That explosive athleticism was fully evident at the plate, where the right-handed hitter registered a sharp 97.9 mph max exit velocity and tracked a peak distance of 354 feet with a consistent line drive approach. In the grass, he pairs his dynamic range with an 87 mph arm from the outfield.

C/RHP Rowan Johnson (Nixa, 2027) turned in an impressive two-way performance at the Missouri State Games, showing advanced raw tools inside a strength-filled 6-foot, 200-pound frame. Offensively, the right-handed hitter unleashed a fast, intentful stroke that repeatedly produced loud contact to the pull side, registering a sharp 99.1 mph max exit velocity and a strong 92.4 mph average exit velocity. That pure strength translated behind the dish, where Johnson showcased advanced catch-and-throw skills, posting lightning-quick pop times of 1.82-1.85 seconds backed by a 82 mph velocity. To round out his day, Johnson hopped on the mound during the gameplay portion and ran his high-ride fastball up to 87 mph (sitting 84-86 mph) with up to 19 inches of induced vertical break. Johnson paired the heater with an aggressive, tight-spinning slider that reached 2,219 RPM to give him a two-way foundation.

1B Payne Kent (Lafayette, 2027) hammered his way onto the leaderboards at the Missouri State Games with an impressive, physical performance. Possessing massive strength throughout a 6-foot-0, 215-pound frame, the left-handed hitter put together a loud round of batting practice that featured a 100 mph max exit velocity and a 97.5 mph average exit velocity. Kent consistently found the barrel with ease, driving his deepest ball a projected 396 feet. Kent projects as a legitimate run producer and middle-of-the-order power bat in the soon to be senior class.

CIF Henry Ladenberger (Chaminade, 2027) firmly solidified his status as one of the top uncommitted bats in the 2027 class, turning heads with a massive power display at the Missouri State Games. Standing at an imposing 6-foot-2, 214 pounds, he generated heavy impact from a balanced right-handed swing that possesses effortless juice. Ladenberger consistently hammered the barrel in BP, registering a strong 98.9 mph max exit velocity. His raw strength was on full display in gameplay, where he absolutely blasted one out of Taylor Stadium for a home run and followed it up with another high-EV, head-high shot off the centerfield wall. Projecting as a premier middle-of-the-order run producer, Ladenberger features significant, high-end pop that makes him a high-priority follow this summer.

Henry Ladenberger

OF Connar Lucas (St. Louis University, 2027) put together a multi-tooled, athletic performance at the Missouri State Games. Presenting a lean, high-projection 5-foot-11, 177-pound frame, Lucas started his day by showing off quick-twitch speed with a 6.89-second 60-yard dash. His explosive tools translated to the plate, where the right-handed hitter unleashed a physical stroke backed by premium bat speed to register a sharp 99.3 mph peak exit velocity. Defensively, he moves with fluidity in the outfield and uncoiled an accurate 84 mph throw from the grass. His combination of speed, raw bat strength, and arm strength makes him an intriguing senior follow.

INF Uriah Reardon (Veritas Christian, 2027) physically dominated the diamond at the Missouri State Games, showing massive offensive upside inside an imposing 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame. The right-handed third baseman put together a loud round of BP, launching a 102.8 mph max exit velocity to go along with a 92.9 mph average exit velocity. His raw strength was fully evident as he consistently drove the baseball with authority, registering a high 75% hard hit percentage That loud contact translated directly into the gameplay portion of the event, where he roped a dynamic triple down the right field line. Reardon projects as a premium middle-of-the-order run producer with a standout power profile that establishes him as a high-priority senior follow.

INF Trenton Rosenthal (Marshfield, 2027) boosted his stock with an athletic showing in this look. Standing at a lean, projectable 6-foot, 170 pounds, Rosenthal showcased high-end quickness, running a 6.88 60-yard dash. That athleticism translated cleanly into the box, where the right-handed hitter generated advanced bat speed to unleash a personal-best 97.5 mph peak exit velocity and 91.7 mph average exit velocity, sending his deepest ball 362 feet.

RHP Brody Simily (West County, 2027) put together an impressive performance on the mound at the Missouri State Games, establishing himself as a premium arm to follow. Toeing the rubber with an imposing, physical 6-foot-4, 196-pound frame, the right-hander showcased advanced pitchability and fully commanded his multi-pitch arsenal. Simily sat comfortably at 86-87 mph with his fastball, which jumped out of his hand with late arm-side run and paired with a 85-86 mph sinker to consistently jam hitters and miss barrels. He complemented the life on his heater by consistently landing a tight, sharp 76-78 mph slider to work ahead in counts and put hitters away. Throwing both offerings with high intent and confidence, Simily projects as a starter profile and remains a high follow uncommitted arm in the state’s soon to be senior class.

Brody Simily

LHP Jackson Sindelar (St. John Vianney, 2027) showed off an uptick in velocity and pitchability at the Missouri State Games, reinforcing his status as an uncommitted southpaw to follow. Toeing the rubber with an athletic 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame, he filled up the zone with a steady dose of fastballs and sliders to aggressively attack hitters from a tough left-handed angle. His fastball played consistently in the low-to-mid-80s, peaking at 86.0 mph with an above-average maximum spin rate of 2,356 RPM and true life through the zone. Sindelar paired the heater with a tight, horizontal 72-75 mph slider to keep hitters off balance while effectively flashing a fading 77–78 mph changeup to neutralize right-handed bats.

OF Shake Speckert (Francis Howell, 2027) reinforced his status as a high-profile talent in the state’s soon to be senior class. Possessing an athletic 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame, the right-handed hitter unleashed a quick BP stroke that registered a sharp 101.2 mph max exit velocity and impressive 94.4 mph average exit velocity. That impact ability carried into live gameplay, where he roped a double down the right-field line. His game-changing athleticism was on full display throughout the workout, starting with a 6.80 60-yard dash. Speckert's premier power-speed profile makes him one of the most exciting uncommitted prospects in the state.

Shake Speckert

OF Nicholas Weidler (Seckman, 2027) impressed once again in Tuesday’s look, reinforcing his status as a top-tier athlete in the state's soon to be senior class. Presenting a strong, athletic 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame, his raw tools were fully on display during BP, where he consistently found the barrel with authority. He produced a powerful right-handed swing that yielded a 100.1 mph peak exit velocity and an 89.4 mph average exit velocity, while crushing his deepest ball of the day 366 feet. A high-level, 6.60 runner whose speed translates directly into his defensive game, he also demonstrated advanced arm strength from the outfield, firing a firm 87 mph bullet home. Weidler’s combination of tools and physical projection makes him a high-follow uncommitted prospect to keep an eye on.

INF Jackson Whitaker (Odessa, 2027) stood out as an explosive athlete during his workout at the Missouri State Games. Possessing a lean, athletic 5-foot-11, 172-pound frame with plenty of room to add on, Whitaker started his day by flashing his speed, registering a 6.75 60-yard dash with a 3.74-second 30-yard split. That high-end athleticism translated seamlessly into the batter's box, where the right-handed hitter generated advanced bat speed, consistently finding the barrel, posting a loud 98.8 mph peak exit velocity and 91.7 mph average exit velocity, with his deepest drive traveling 355 feet. Defensively, he displayed quick, fluid actions on the dirt to go along with arm strength across the diamond, topping out at 83 mph.

OF Noah Willett (Ste. Genevieve, 2027) showed tools across the board at this event and came away as a soon-to-be senior to keep an eye on. At 5-foot-10, 174-pounds , Willett repeatedly got off long, intentful hacks in batting practice that produced hard contact back to the middle of the field, flashing a big jump in raw power with a personal-best 103.3 mph max exit velocity. He also showcased his speed by running a 6.71 60-yard dash. Defensively, his athletic actions translated to the grass where he showed carry and accuracy with an 80 mph arm from the outfield.

INF/RHP Mason Young (Webb City, 2027) continues to trend upward as an intriguing two-way prospect to follow. Boasting an imposing 6-foot-4, 196-pound frame, he lived on the barrel throughout his batting practice round, showing above-average bat and hand speed while hammering balls primarily to the pull side with a peak exit velocity of 93.7 mph. His notable arm strength was on full display across the diamond, firing an 91 mph bullet across the infield. That raw arm talent translated seamlessly to the mound, where the right-hander ran his fastball up to 89.7 mph. To complement his heater, Young ripped off a 67–71 mph curveball featuring -14.2 inches of horizontal sweep while effectively killing spin on a 73–75 mph changeup.

Mason Young

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