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Missouri Class of 2026 Rankings Update: Winter Edition

March 19, 2025
Kevin Moulder & Eliott Wilk
Prep Baseball Missouri Staff

The 2025 Missouri high school baseball season is fast approaching, and with a full slate of preseason events now complete, the Prep Baseball Missouri staff has made one final update to the Show-Me State’s 2026 rankings before the juniors take the field in the spring.

For a full look at the updated 2026 class rankings, click HERE. 

This update brings significant movement throughout the rankings, not just in the top 10 but across the board. With the list expanding to 300 players, over 60 newcomers have made their debut.

Below, we take a deeper dive into this update, highlighting the top of the rankings while also providing a broader look at the class as a whole, including newcomers and names on the rise. Read on for the full breakdown.

THE TOP 10

In this update, the top 10 undergoes some reshuffling following fresh evaluations of players during the offseason, including the arrival of a new name in the mix.

RHP Tyler Putnam (Battle; Tennessee) remains firmly atop the rankings, holding onto the No. 1 spot in this update. Fellow Tennessee commit RHP Cooper Shrum (Belton) climbs to No. 2, while RHP Dylan Curtis (Francis Howell; Missouri) rounds out the top three.

One of the biggest risers this offseason, RHP/INF CJ Lake (Oakville) climbs four spots to No. 4 after a head-turning all-around performance at the Midland Bandits Scout Day this winter. At 6-foot-3, 181 pounds, Lake is a true two-way talent, showcasing raw power at the plate (105.7 mph exit velocity) and an electric arsenal on the mound. His fastball sits in the low-to-mid-90s, paired with a tight-spinning, swing-and-miss slider in the mid-70s. One of the top uncommitted prospects in the state, Lake is a must-know name for college coaches.

CJ Lake

INF Nolan Sissom (Fort Zumwalt West; Missouri) holds the No. 5 spot in this update, followed by top-10 newcomer RHP Cameron Taylor (Kearney; Missouri), who makes a massive leap, climbing 12 spots to No. 6. A significant uptick in velocity has propelled Taylor’s rise, as the right-hander now touches 97 mph and sits comfortably in the low-to-mid-90s this offseason.

Cameron Taylor

RHP Brody Crane (Neosho; Arkansas) climbs from No. 10 to No. 7 in this update, followed by fellow Future Gamers INF GT Taylor (Christian Brothers College; Kansas) at No. 8 and RHP Jake Brettschneider (Francis Howell; Missouri) at No. 9. Rounding out the top 10 is Kansas City-area southpaw LHP Johnny Carver (Raymore-Peculiar; Arkansas).

  

RISERS AND NEWCOMERS

This update sees two right-handed arms make their debuts in the rankings after impressive bullpens in their respective preseason events. 

RHP Ben Thierauf (St. John Vianney) is one of the biggest risers this offseason, making his debut at No. 35 in the rankings. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound junior brings more than just velocity—while his fastball touches 90 mph, it's his ability to command a deep five-pitch mix that truly sets him apart. His arsenal features two elite, swing-and-miss breaking balls with 2,700+ RPM spin, making him a name to watch on the mound.

Ben Thierauf

Right behind Thierauf, RHP Kaelan Bedford (Excelsior Springs) makes his rankings debut at No. 36 after delivering one of the most impressive bullpens at the Kansas City Preseason ID. The right-hander showcased command of all four pitches, featuring an upper-80s fastball alongside a sharp 3,019 RPM curveball and a 2,900 RPM slider. With his advanced pitchability and impressive arsenal, Bedford has emerged as a must-watch name this spring.

Kaelan Bedford

RHP Ben Lackey (Eureka) climbs nine spots in this update to No. 38, while C/RHP Drew Parsons (Jackson; Southeast Missouri St.) makes an impressive 14-spot jump to No. 39. Fellow SEMO commit OF Zak Meador (North County) also rises, moving up eight spots in this update after a strong showing at the A’s Scout Day.

One of the most intriguing prospects in the state’s class, RHP Brady Smith (Van Buren) is one of the biggest risers, jumping 76 spots to No. 40 after impressive performances at the Missouri Preseason All-State and A’s Scout Day. The small-school standout has seen a noticeable increase in stuff on the mound, now reaching 89 mph with his fastball and commanding the zone with an 80-82 mph slider. With plenty more potential in his lean 6-foot-2, 174-pound frame, Smith is a name to watch closely.

Brady Smith

Two more standout risers in this update are INF Cole Milliken (Lebanon), who climbs over 100 spots, and RHP Paxson Schnieders (Mehlville), who jumps more than 75 spots. Both players saw significant improvements across various metrics at the Missouri Preseason All-State this February, emerging as winners from the event.

Two physical two-way talents from the western side of the state make their rankings debut after standout performances at their respective Prep Baseball debuts this preseason. LHP Mason Crockett (Winnetonka) impressed with a heavy fastball topping out at 89 mph on the mound, while also delivering one of the most impressive BP rounds of the winter, reaching a 103.4 mph exit velocity at the Kansas City Preseason ID. Meanwhile, RHP/1B Brody Wilson (Kickapoo) fired his fastball up to 87 mph and recorded a peak exit velocity of 103.6 mph at the A’s Scout Day. The duo slides into the rankings at No. 66 and No. 67, respectively.

Mason Crockett

OF/RHP Jack Passan (Pembroke Hill), RHP Klay Muser (Union), RHP Malachi Coleman (Staley), C Brooks Eaton (Kickapoo), RHP Carter Shipman (Jackson), INF/RHP Caleb Walz, RHP Wesley Cohee (St. John Vianney), LHP Cooper Brown (Chaminade), RHP Augustus Sinning (Hartville), OF TJ Boston (Lee’s Summit), and D’Andre Roberson (William Chrisman) headline other notable newcomers to the rankings.

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