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2026 Missouri State Games: Quick Hits, 2028 Grads

July 6, 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 soon to be junior standouts below within these ‘Quick Hits’.

2028 FOLLOWS

Standing at a physical 6-foot-3, 187 pounds, C Colin Arnold (Lee’s Summit, 2028) put together an eye-catching all-around performance at the Missouri State Games. The left-handed hitter stands out immediately for his high-level athleticism, which was on full display when he turned in a swift 6.94 60-yard dash along with a quick 3.85 30-yard split. Behind the dish, Arnold is an advanced defender with a lightning-fast transfer and an elite catch-and-throw toolkit, recording 1.82-1.83 pop times while firing a firm 80 mph bullet from the crouch. His quick left-handed swing features visible strength and leverage, producing a 94 mph peak exit velocity and driving his deepest ball a distance of 344 feet during his round of BP. Given his tools and physical projection, Arnold shapes up as a name to follow moving forward.

Colin Arnold

INF Nolan Ash (Southern Boone, 2028) turned heads at the Missouri State Games with an upgraded 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame. His high-end athleticism translated directly onto the stat sheet, where he ran a swift 6.85 60-yard dash and 3.81 30-yard split. At the plate, his loose, easy, and polished right-handed swing generated a personal-best 96.1 mph peak exit velocity and launched his deepest barrel 348 feet during batting practice. He looks every bit the part of a future middle-of-the-order run producer as his levers continue to mature. On the dirt, Ash proved to be a confident mover, playing low to the ground with smooth footwork, soft hands, and a premium 85 mph arm across the diamond that should easily keep him on the left side of the infield moving forward.

OF Carson Bass (Rock Bridge, 2028) put on a show at the Missouri State Games, showcasing some of the most electric tools in the state’s soon to be junior class. Built with an athletic 5-foot-11, 172-pound frame, his dynamic speed immediately jumps out, recording an event-leading 6.30 60-yard dash time along with a blazing 3.53 30-yard split. That twitchy athleticism translates perfectly into a powerful right-handed stroke that generated serious impact at the plate. Bass consistently caught balls out front to average 94.2 mph per batted ball, peaking at an eye-opening 102.1 mph max exit velocity while launching his furthest barrel 374 feet. Defensively, he moves with easy rhythm and confidence in the outfield, using his elite speed to cover ground with ease. Bass will be a name to keep an eye on as he continues to prove he can produce at the highest levels.

INF Jack Bogard (Francis Howell, 2028) put together a strong all around performance in Tuesday’s look, continuing to show why he is regarded as one of the top up-the-middle talents in the state's incoming junior class. Stepping onto the field at a strong, compact 5-foot-8, 163 pounds, Bogard's premium athleticism was immediately apparent when he posted a 6.64 60-yard dash alongside a 3.69 30-yard split. At the plate, he showcased an impactful right-handed stroke with highly advanced bat-to-ball skills, driving balls with authority back through the middle of the field, producing a personal-best 102.2 mph peak exit velocity and a 96.2 mph average exit velocity. Defensively, he displayed the actions that make him so reliable up the middle, moving with active rhythm, smooth feet, and a firm 85 mph arm across the diamond.

Jack Bogard

Continuously proving he is one of the top left-handed hitting backstops in the state, C Ryan Caffey (Kirkwood, 2028) put together another strong all-around showing at the Missouri State Games. Packed with strength in a 5-foot-9, 157-pound frame, Caffey’s hands work direct and on top of the baseball, producing a repeatable stroke that effortlessly generates pull-side lift. He consistently found the barrel throughout his round of batting practice, registering a strong 96.6 mph peak exit velocity while launching his deepest ball 362 feet. Behind the dish, his reliable defensive skill set remains a calling card, showing receiving ability, quick transfers, and an accurate arm from the chute that peaked at 74 mph.

Toeing the rubber with an athletic 6-foot, 160-pound frame, RHP Sam Deibel (MICDS, 2028) commanded the zone with high pitchability in Wednesday’s look. Utilizing a loose, clean arm action on the bump, his fastball worked comfortably at 81-85 mph. He kept hitters completely off-balance by leaning heavily into a highly effective two-pitch mix, consistently landing a sharp 72-75 mph slider around the zone to generate plenty of swing-and-miss action throughout his outing. With a swing and miss secondary offering and ability to command the zone, Deibel remains an upside soon to be junior follow.

Making major leaps since the winter, INF Grant Dinges (Rockwood Summit, 2028) put together a loud performance in our trip to Columbia. Built with a strong, athletic 6-foot, 184-pound frame, his premium athletic ability was instantly apparent when he kicked off the day with a blazing 6.66 60-yard dash alongside a 3.70 30-yard split. At the plate, the right-handed hitter showcased a noticeable jump in power, letting his quick, right-handed swing produce a personal-best 97.5 mph max exit velocity during batting practice. He displayed an advanced feel for the barrel, catching balls out front with intent and lifting his furthest hit ball 342 feet. Already establishing himself as a premium defensive presence up the middle with highly confident actions, Dinges continues to trend upward as a high follow, soon to be junior talent in the state.

Grant Dinges

INF Jackson Elliott (Francis Howell Central, 2028) put together an impressive performance at the Missouri State Games, building upon a strong winter circuit. Standing at a solid 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, the multi-sport athlete turned heads in the 60 cruising to a 6.69 60-yard dash time with a 3.74 30-yard split. That dynamic burst carries directly into the batter's box, where the right-handed hitter unleashed a strong, balanced swing. He displayed a high feel for the barrel throughout his batting practice rounds, producing a 96.7 mph peak exit velocity, a 90.4 mph average exit velocity, and launching his deepest drive 371 feet. Elliott's premium athleticism continues to play up on the dirt as well, where he showed smooth, active footwork and high-end arm strength that topped out at 87 mph across the diamond. 

INF/OF Miles Friedrichs (Liberty (Wentzville), 2028) put together a highly projectable offensive showing at the Missouri State Games, flashing a relaxed setup with good tempo at the plate. In the batter's box, the right-handed hitter showcased a simple, flat path that stays long through extension, generating a personal-best 96.5 mph peak exit velocity during batting practice. His bat speed carried over directly into gameplay where he back-spun a ball well, hammering a double deep into the left-field-center gap. Defensively, his athletic actions translate to the dirt, posting a strong 80 mph infield velocity across the diamond with soft hands and steady footwork.

Possessing a towering, long-levered 6-foot-5, 180-pound frame that screams physical projection, RHP/INF Charlie Habel (Glendale, 2028) emerged as one of the top arms on the day at the Missouri State Games. On the bump, the right-hander showcased premium arm talent, running his fastball up to 89.7 mph while comfortably sitting 86-88 mph with plenty of late life through the zone. He kept hitters completely off-balance and generated a wealth of swing-and-miss by pairing his heater with a sharp slider that he consistently commanded around the strike zone at 70-73 mph. His rare athleticism for his size translated into a 6.85 60-yard dash as well as defensively with an 91 mph outfield velocity and an 89 mph bullet across the diamond. Habel also showed off that athletic upside at the plate during gameplay, utilizing his long levers to launch a frozen rope into the gap for a stand-up double. He firmly cements his status as a high-priority, premium two-way follow in the state's incoming junior crop.

Charlie Habel

INF Jacob Hornburg (De Smet Jesuit, 2028) turned in a quality look at the Missouri State Games, displaying polish across his athletic 5-foot-10, 156-pound frame. The right-handed hitter showcased high-level barrel consistency during batting practice, producing a peak exit velocity of 97.7 mph and a 93.2 mph average exit velocity that highlighted his advanced bat-to-ball skills. His line-drive orientation translated seamlessly into gameplay, where he showed off his extra-base potential by lacing a ball into the gap for a stand-up triple. Defensively, Hornburg possesses clear rhythm on the move, paired with an 81 mph arm across the diamond that plays with easy accuracy.

Making his Prep Baseball debut, C Laken Johnson (Webb City, 2028) left a strong impression at the Missouri State Games, putting his well-rounded skill set on display. Built with a compact and strong 5-foot-10, 175-pound frame, Johnson's short, direct left-handed stroke generated notable impact in the box throughout his batting practice round. He consistently caught baseballs out front with clear leverage, flashing a high bat to ball skills profile that peaked with a 98 mph max exit velocity and an impressive 91.7 mph average exit velocity, while launching his deepest barrel a distance of 365 feet. Defensively, his quickness behind the plate is highly evident; he possesses an athletic transfer that allowed him to produce pop times in the 1.86-2.00 second range, pairing those actions with a 73 mph arm from the chute.

RHP Jack Klump (Jefferson (Festus), 2028) provided an intriguing look on the mound at the Missouri State Games, flashing an athletic delivery paired with a solid four pitch repertoire. The 6-foot, 158-pound right-hander worked with tempo on the bump, working quickly and pounding the strike zone with a low-80s fastball that topped out at 82 mph with a high-spin average of 2,074 RPM. He maintained a relentless attack by consistently landing a 68-70 mph slider for strikes while showing an advanced feel to confidently attack both left-handed and right-handed hitters with a fading 74–75 mph changeup. Klump’s polished pitchability and high-spin capabilities highlight a highly projectable foundation that centers him as an underclass follow to monitor.

RHP Cash Linderer (Hillsboro, 2028) emerged as an upperclass arm to know following an upside performance on the bump at the Missouri State Games. Standing with a solid, projectable 6-foot-1, 176-pound frame, the right-hander filled up the strike zone with a lively fastball that sat comfortably between 83-86 mph and topped out at 86.3 mph. His heater played with late life through the zone and peaking at a high-spin 2,262 RPM. Linderer consistently kept opposing hitters off balance by turning to a sharp, high-spin 70-73 mph slider that registered up to 2,595 RPM of horizontal spin. To round out a mature four-pitch arsenal, he confidently flashed a 75-77 mph changeup alongside a 81-83 mph sinker. Linderer’s advanced pitchability and high-spin characteristics place him on a clear upward trajectory in the state's junior class.

INF/RHP Liam Matthews (Rockwood Summit, 2028) put together a loud performance in Tuesday and Wednesday’s look, reinforcing his status as an upside two-way talent. Built with an imposing and physical 6-foot-5, 215-pound frame, the projectable junior’s raw right-handed strength was heavily on display during batting practice, where he consistently caught balls out front to record a 103.6 mph peak exit velocity and a 94.5 mph average exit velocity, while launching his furthest barrel 374 feet. Defensively, his natural arm strength is clear, pumping a premium 89 mph bullet across the infield diamond with fluid rhythm. Matthews followed that up on the bump with a sinker and slider performance, running his heavy sinker up to a firm 86 mph while effectively getting in and jamming right-handed hitters in game action. Matthews is a two-way follow with massive physical upside left to tap into.

INF Porter McCarthy (Benton, 2028) continued to show why he is a premium name to follow in the state's junior class. Built with a lean, athletic 5-foot-11, 164-pound frame, McCarthy kicked off the day showcasing his speed, recording a 6.72 60-yard dash time along with a 3.71 30-yard split. His twitchy athleticism directly carried over into the batter's box, where the left-handed hitter utilized a very simple, slow-to-explode swing that produced an easy, yet explosive stroke to generate a strong 94 mph peak exit velocity. His bat speed translated seamlessly into game action as he hammered a ball down the right-field line, showing off his high-end wheels to cruise into third base for a stand-up triple. Defensively, he put on a clinic up the middle by displaying smooth footwork, soft hands, and plenty of range, pairing those actions with a premium 86 mph arm across the diamond.

Porter McCarthy

OF Kai McDowell (Saxony Lutheran, 2028) stood out as a toolsy junior follow at the Missouri State Games. Built with a physical 6-foot, 176-pound frame, he flashed high-end athleticism with a swift 6.90 60-yard dash. At the plate, the right-handed hitter utilized an effortless approach and smooth bat path that covered both sides of the plate well, producing a 91.4 mph peak exit velocity in BP before cleanly lacing an RBI single into right field during game action. McDowell also looked the part defensively, tracking balls with ease and throwing 80 mph from the outfield.

RHP/OF Dane Peterson (Liberty North, 2028) turned in a strong performance at the Missouri State Games, commanding attention with an imposing 6-foot-2, 208-pound build. The physical junior showed off big-time strength in the box, generating an 99.3 mph peak exit velocity. Defensively, his natural arm strength is clear, firing an 85 mph bullet from the outfield. That arm talent carried over onto the mound, where the right-hander utilized a drop-and-drive delivery to pump a heavy fastball at 83-85 mph. Peterson supplemented his heater with a tight, right-to-left 74-76 mph slider, marking him as a name to keep an eye on.

INF Claydon Phillips (Logan-Rogersville, 2028) brought a physical, middle-of-the-order presence to Tuesday’s event with his 6-foot-1, 223-pound frame. The soon to be junior displayed some of the loudest raw power of the day, registering a near-triple-digit peak exit velocity of 99.5 mph and a 90.2 mph average in BP, with his deepest barrel traveling 355 feet. He also showed a steady rhythm at third base, pairing developing footwork with an 80 mph arm across the diamond.

OF Logan Rogers (Francis Howell, 2028) turned in an athletic showing at the Missouri State Games. The 5-foot-9, 154-pound junior peaked at 92.4 mph during BP with a flat, line-drive path while his barrel control carried directly into gameplay, where he was all over the barrel, spraying a pair of backside triples. Rogers also looked the part defensively, reliably tracking balls and firing an 84 mph bullet from the outfield.

OF Evan Smith (Webster Groves, 2028) put his intriguing athletic tools on full display in Tuesday’s look at the Missouri State Games. Stepping onto the field in a 6-foot, 167-pound frame with plenty of room to add on, the junior showcased his right-handed stroke that produced substantial damage during his batting practice round, where he repeatedly found the barrel to record a 98.9 mph peak exit velocity and impressive 93.0 mph average exit velocity. Defensively, Smith profiles as a defensive asset in the grass, tracking balls naturally with a 82 mph arm from the outfield. He remains an uncommitted outfielder to keep an eye on in the state's junior class.

INF Calvin Stanczyk (Chaminade, 2028) continues to impress, turning in another strong performance at the Missouri State Games. Possessing a lean, athletic 5-foot-11, 165-pound frame, the right-handed hitter displayed a highly consistent round of BP, generating a strong 97.9 mph peak exit velocity (89.9 mph average) and launching his furthest barrel 361 feet. Stanczyk also looked the part on the infield dirt, working with loose, rhythmic actions and clear defensive polish that paired with an accurate 82 mph arm across the diamond.

OF Xander Tiller (Benton, 2028) turned in a toolsy performance at the Missouri State Games, reinforcing his status as an outfielder to follow in the state's soon to be junior class. Packed with clear physical strength and explosive quick-twitch abilities, the 5-foot-10, 181-pounder put his game-changing speed on display by recording a blazing 3.74 30-yard split with a 6.74 60-yard mark. That dynamic athleticism carried over into his batting practice round, where his quick right-handed stroke generated a 98.1 mph peak exit velocity and 90.2 mph average exit velocity. The multi-sport athlete also stood out defensively, tracking down balls with ease and flashing a strong 83 mph arm from the outfield.

C Boston Wasserman (Platte County, 2028) turned in an impressive, well-rounded showing at the Missouri State Games, making his presence felt behind the dish and in the box. Built with an upside and physical 6-foot-3, 203-pound frame, the junior displayed clear power potential during batting practice. His strong right-handed stroke generated a 94.6 mph peak exit velocity and a steady 85.3 mph average exit velocity with much more to come as he continues to add strength. Defensively, his natural arm strength and quick exchange shine through behind the plate, popping a quick 1.89-1.92 second range down to second with a firm 79 mph velocity. After a strong spring, Wasserman remains a high-follow, high-ceiling backstop in the state's junior class.

C/1B Benjamin Winterer (Duchesne, 2028) flashed upside on both sides of the diamond at the Missouri State Games. Built with a strong, physical 6-foot, 198-pound frame, the left-handed hitter absolutely hammered baseballs in batting practice, producing a loud, triple-digit peak exit velocity of 101.5 mph from a level stroke. Behind the plate, Winterer showed off an advanced catch-and-throw skill set, utilizing a clean, efficient transfer to produce pop times in a quick 1.93-2.09 second range with a 75 mph arm.

Benjamin Winterer

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