Our rankings are broken up into two divisions: large school and small schools. We classify the 'large' schools as those residing in Class 5 & 6, while the small schools make up the remaining MSHSAA classifications. We rank what we believe to be the top teams in the state at that level, as well as highlighting several 'On Deck' teams each week.

Below you will find our updated ‘Large School’ and ‘Small School’ rankings after the fifth week of MSHSAA play. 

Make sure to follow along on Twitter at @PrepBaseballMO for all of our high school coverage throughout the spring.

LARGE SCHOOL NOTES

+ There’s two new teams at the top, with No. 1 Fort Zumwalt West (17-5) and No. 2 Francis Howell (16-5) sitting at the helm. The two just met in the Columbia Tournament championship game, where the Jaguars defeated their GAC foe 3-1 to capture the event’s crown - something they did earlier in the season during the Troy Buchanan tournament, too. Fort Zumwalt West ended the week with key wins over Francis Howell, Staley, and Southern Boone. Francis Howell’s resume was impressive too; they beat Seckman to start things off, handed Troy two losses, and beat Hickman, Blair Oaks, Willard, and Rock Bridge as well. 

+ Even though they’re falling two spots, Staley (13-5), who now sits at No. 3, deserves a mention. This Falcons’ roster is as talented as any you’ll find in the state, with upperclass experience throughout the lineup and a pitching staff that’s fairly deep. Though they fell to Fort Zumwalt West in pool play of the Columbia Tournament, the Falcons did take down Blue Springs, Battle, Willard, and CBC this past week. 

+ The biggest riser of any team this week is Rock Bridge (17-5), as the Bruins climb up eight spots to No. 6 overall. Their only loss came in a close semi-final matchup with Francis Howell and they picked up wins over Eureka, Southern Boone, Capital City, Jefferson City, and Truman. Once again, per usual, the Bruins are a highly competitive bunch that looks capable of beating anyone 

+ We have two new teams jumping into the rankings for the first time, as Liberty (13-4) and West Plains (17-0) occupy the last two spots on our top-15, respectively. The Blue Jays have won 13 games this year, including victories over Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Ozark, and Staley, while currently riding a nine game winning streak. West Plains is one of the state’s remaining undefeated clubs, having rattled off 17 straight wins to start their 2024 season. They’ve scored 10 or more runs in 10 of their wins and look every bit the part of a juggernaut in Class 5. 

+ SLUH (14-3), Festus (13-4), Glendale (11-4), Blue Springs South (11-8), and St. Francis Borgia (10-5) are all knocking on the door of the top-15. 

LARGE SCHOOL RANKINGS 

On Deck: SLUH, Blue Springs South, Festus, Vianney, Parkway South, Lindbergh, Raymore-Peculiar, Fort Zumwalt East, St. Francis Borgia, Glendale, Kearney, Seckman, Helias Catholic, St. Dominic, Lafayette, Lebanon, Branson, Carl Junction, Republic, Lee's Summit, Poplar Bluff, Westminster Christian, Union, Warrenton, Capital City, Pacific, Windsor (Imperial), Parkway Central, Farmington, Rockwood Summit, Ozark

SMALL SCHOOL NOTES 

+ Still undefeated, Valle Catholic (17-0) climbs up to No. 2 after another impressive week, rattling off five wins, including a clean sweep of the Farmington Wood Bat Tournament. They beat Webster Groves, a 5A school, 16-4, and picked up two walk-off wins on Friday before defeating Festus, the reigning 5A state champions, on Saturday 3-2. 

+ Southern Boone (15-5) jumps up two spots to No. 3 and, after seeing the Eagles this weekend, they look every bit the part of a real state title contender in Class 4. They dropped an extra-innings contest to No. 1 Fort Zumwalt West in the semi-finals of the Columbia Tournament championship bracket, though did beat Grain Valley, Smith-Cotton, and CBC. A senior heavy group that’s well coached, look for the Eagles to make some noise as the season rolls on. 

+ Scott City (19-1) has more wins than anybody in the state, riding a 15 game win streak since their last loss on March 22nd, and they’re rising up two spots to No. 8 now. They’ve scored 10+ runs in 11 games and are coming off a 6-0 week where they outscored their opponents 58-to-14 this week. 

+ Forsyth (13-3) is back in the top-10 after spending a week outside of it after a 4-0 week, including a win over a ranked opponent in Licking. The Panthers are 13-3 on the year and have one of the top arms in the state in RHP Tristan Hunter (2024; Kentucky signee). 

SMALL SCHOOL RANKINGS

On Deck: Duchesne, Summit Christian, Benton, Mid-Buchanan, MICDS, Portageville, Kennett, Seneca, St. Louis Patriots, St. Elizabeth's, Ash Grove, Lawson, Valley Park, Notre Dame, Knob Noster, Putnam County, Savannah, Sullivan, Chaffee, Windsor, Oran, Fulton, Pembroke Hill, Moberly, Nevada, Pleasant Hill, Eldon, Boonville, Fatima, Galena, Mansfield, Northland Christian, Iberia, Wheatland

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