Prep Baseball Report

MO Rankings Update: Class of 2021


Andy Urban
OK/MO/KS Scouting Supervisor

Follow at @PBRMissouri

Though we have not been able to scout players in this strange and difficult spring, there is still plenty to talk about, including an update to the 2021 Missouri Rankings. This talented group had 12 players represent the state in the recently released PBR Overall Rankings. After four successful events this winter and a massive amount of new information gathered by our scouts with their boots on the ground, we expanded our rankings to 180 players. Along with some talented newcomers, the rankings also see some big risers throughout. 

Click here to check out our ranking process.

Top Prospects

Maintaining the top spot in the Missouri Rankings and the No. 2 spot in the newly released PBR Overall Rankings is Vandy commit Christian Little (Christian Brothers College High School). Here is what National Crosscheck Shooter Hunt had to say about Little: “At 6-foot-3, 195 pounds Little is about as close to how you draw it up when dreaming about a frontline starter, and has only demonstrated the ability to keep getting better since first emerging on the scene as a freshman. The Vanderbilt recruit’s fluid delivery and clean arm stroke provide for effortless velocity that is creeping into the mid 90s, and almost assuredly will be even higher come springtime 2021. Add to that, his feel for a slurvy breaking ball in the upper 70s and fading changeup, and Little has the makings of a frontline starter. The biggest critique for Little right now, to no fault of his own, is his right-handedness. The riskiest draft pick is a high school right-hander, but with low mileage and coming out of a storied St. Louis high school, Little has an excellent chance of hearing his name called early in June 2021”.

Holding the No. 2 spot in MO and moving to No. 98 in the Overall Rankings is offensive infielder Brock Daniles (Vianney HS). The 6-foot-2, 170-pound Oklahoma commit has a knack for finding barrels. We last saw Daniels produce at the Area Code games with a pinch hit late in the game and immediately hammered a single to left-center field. The frame is still adding strength, and when it is finished doing so, his advanced bat-to-ball skills will likely get a big boost in power, though he already flashes some pull side abilities currently.

Remaining at the No. 3 spot in Missouri’s rankings and moving to 210 in the Overall rankings is the physical left-handed hitter Carter Jensen (Park Hill HS). The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Louisiana State commit shows elite power from the left side (99 mph exit velo). When he gets hot, Jensen is as dangerous as any hitter in the country. Behind the dish, Jensen shows a strong and accurate arm, putting throws on the bag for showcase pop times of 1.87-2.09.

Risers

Over the last few months with many events and boots on the ground scouting, our boots on the ground staff have identified some players throughout the state that have made big strides forward. Below, we highlight a few of those players. 

Tyler Gilmer, RHP, Sikeston HS
A broad shoulder and projectable 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame, Gilmer rises nearly 80 spots in this edition of the rankings after sitting 85-86 and touching 87 mph in the zone. The right-hander works from a slightly up-tempo and athletic delivery with a moderate arm action that has a hitch in the back adding deception. Curveball and changeup are solid secondary pitches.

Adam Gray, Lee’s Summit North HS
A physically impressive 6-foot-5, 230-pound right-hander, Gray stepped on the mound at the recent MacNSeitz Scout Day event and really impressed. Gray worked only from the stretch with a controlled, relaxed, and easy delivery with a moderate arm action coming through a high-¾ slot. The fastball fills up the zone at 85-88 jumping to the dish with a second gear. Breaking ball is advanced with tight spin and late depth thrown with full arm speed at 75-79 mph. 

Trevor Quick, SS/RHP, Seckman HS
At this year’s Gamers Scout day Quick saw nearly all his measurable make a huge jump. Offensively, the right-handed hitter squared up balls in BP with his best exiting at 89 mph. Quick showed off his improved arm strength across the diamond touching 87 and on the mound where he sat 82-84 mph. 

Newcomers

The PBR Missouri staff is always on the lookout for talented players across the state, and we pride ourselves on constantly evaluating and discovering new players. Below are three new players that made impacts during the spring and summer.

Cole Koonce,RHP, Eureka HS
The 6-foot, 210-pound right-hander made a splash not only at the state level, but nationally as well at the St. Louis Games Scout day this winter. The strong and broad shouldered righty pounded the zone at 88-90 and reaching up and touched 91 and 93. He also mixed in an advanced slider at 76-78 mph. The changeup and curveball are also developing into viable secondary pitches. 

JD McReynolds, RHP/1B, Sullivan HS
The physically 6-foot-3, 210-pound right-hander sat a very easy 80-82 mph at the MOKAN Preseason All-State commit with a lot left in the tank. Look for him to make a big velo jump soon. With the bat, the right-handed hitter shows some pop to the middle and opposite field. McReynolds committed to Central Missouri shortly after the event. 

Matthew James, 3B/RHP, Francis Howell HS
A long and projectable 6-foot-2, 185-pound with much more room to add size or strength. On the mound, the right-hander fills up the zone at 82-84 and touches 85 mph with some tilt. The curveball also plays at a high level 68-69 mph with consistent depth and 12/6 shape. Defensively, James shows the hands and feet to stick at third. Offensively, the right-handed hitter shows some pop (90 mph exit velo) with a flat and all fields approach. 

See the full list HERE.

Top 10