Prep Baseball Report

Recruiting News Around Missouri



By Ethan Silverman
Missouri Scouting Director


In the last few days, some more high profile Missouri high school players have made their college commitments.

Missouri State picked up a pair of commitments from Class of 2013 OF Landan Ruff (Parkview HS) and Class of 2014 RHP Brad Archer from Lebanon HS. Ruff, currently ranked No. 29 in the Class of 2013 is a 6-foot-3, 185-pound athletic player who shows good speed for a player of his size, running a 6.90. Offensively, Ruff has an aggressive approach. He showcased extremely quick hands at the plate with a short, level path. He shows good power and the ability to drive the baseball to the power alleys. Ruff is also an exceptional student, with a 5.0 GPA, 30 ACT, and No. 1 academic rank in his class.

Brad Archer is the 10th player from Team Missouri of the Class of 2014 Midwest Future Games to committ. Archer has a long and lanky 6-foot, 155-pound frame and a fastball that we have seen top out at 89-mph. Now ranked No. 12 in the Class of 2014, don't be surprised to see Archer sit in the upper 80's to low 90's as his frame continues to fill out.

Class of 2013 OF Brandon Gutzler from DeSmet has commited to St. Louis Community College. Gutzle is ranked No. 27 in the Class of 2013 and possess an extremly strong arm from the outfield (86 mph) and has strong, quick hands at the plate. Gutzler was a member of Team Missouri at the inagural Midwest Future Games where he made a name for himself with outstanding outfield play and quality at bats.

Josh Abegg, a Class of 2013 OF/INF from Holt HS has committed to Jefferson College. Last summer at that All State Invitational, the 5-foot-10, 165-pound Abegg showed the top outfield arm of the event, 85 mph, with carry on his throws. Abegg showed good body control and consistently played through the ball while fielding and throwing. As an infielder, Abegg recorded a top throw of 87-mph. Abegg also showed some speed, with a 7.15 in the 60.

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