Today we talk about the summer scouting circuit with Kevin Moulder, director of scouting for Prep Baseball in Missouri. We get our first look at the players that have made the roster for the upcoming 2025 PBR Future Games. It is the centennial season for American Legion Baseball, and we have taken the opportunity to talk about some standout players for the latest Scout Day's for Legion Baseball players held in Warrensburg, MO, and at St Charles Community College a couple weeks ago. Along with a quick preview of some teams we think will make another run at the Missouri American Legion State Championships in Sedalia, MO at the end of this month. We hope you enjoy the show and please share your thoughts and comments.
You can watch the MO Legion State Championships live on Youth Baseball Midwest
July 24th through the 27th.
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You can watch the MO Legion State Championships live on Youth Baseball Midwest
July 24th through the 27th.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
M definitely a different type of process.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Put down or freeze, you know, being a coach's son.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Jackson, of course.
Speaker 4 (00:23):
Uh, they keep reaching on why stuck with the things?
A hit five pitch? Oh my, Hello everyone, Welcome inside
the Red Earth Production studios for this edition of YBM
cast Baseball Talk powered by Game seven Baseball. Game seventh
(00:46):
baseball dot com. Make sure you write that down, put
it where you can find it.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Fall ball coming up.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
If you're wanting to play some fall ball, the schedule
should be out I'd say probably by.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
The end of July autumn. And what did I think?
Speaker 4 (01:00):
Dave said something to that effect, didn't he drew, I
think something like that.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
It may already be out. I don't know. But anyway, if.
Speaker 4 (01:08):
You're looking for some fallball, Game seven Baseball is the
place to go. Some great turf fields out at Warrington,
the Athletic Complex known as the Whack Well that's.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
What we call it, so you know.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
But anyway, Uh, make sure you dial up Game seven
baseball dot com.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
We appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (01:31):
Tell him, Tell Dave and Dave that Brian from ybmsinscha. Okay,
all right, today he's back. We've been running all over
the state for the past. What I don't know five
months now is the Guru himself, mister Kevin Boulder.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Kevin, how you doing, buddy.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
I'm doing great. How about yourself?
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Doing well? Doing well? Slowing down?
Speaker 4 (02:01):
Got a little bit of summer left. Uh, you've been
on vacation yet.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Not really? Oh no, not really and uh get that
at the end of the summer, So.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
Try and squeeze it in before locations.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
I've traveled around, but I don't necessarily count that as vacation.
It's all been travel for baseball.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
So and uh, you're gonna be traveling some more. Uh,
the Future Games, the Big Daddy coming up.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
You've been through the Scout days.
Speaker 4 (02:40):
I know there's a couple of of events that you
used to really select the invites around and starting to
see him populate.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Talk to us about this team. What are we looking on?
Last year?
Speaker 4 (02:50):
You you had you know, some really good Uh. Uh
was it the juniors that one?
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Did you?
Speaker 4 (02:59):
Now?
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Yeah? Now, the Junior Future Games is different than the
Future Games. That is, we're competing to win. It's a
it's a real I don't want to say it's a tournament.
When your goal is to win the tournament, and yeah,
team Missouri won that event, so beat the likes of
Texas and California, Tennessee. I think we beat Wisconsin in
(03:24):
Indiana on our path to to the championship. So that
was that was pretty cool. Now the future games, the
original model this year is going to be juniors, which
as the twenty twenty seven class. That's a round robin
deal where it's just three games. Winning is not the objective.
(03:49):
It is a showcase event. It's real baseball. But pitchers
are pretty set. We haven't mapped out for the scouts,
so they know which read a four pitchers are throwing
that day. They're typically throwing two innings and outing. You know,
positions are rotated and you know lineups are balanced out,
(04:10):
et cetera. So it's really designed to put on the
best show possible for the college scouts and and that's
that's why it's turned into the event, and it has
turned into there's over four hundred schools there. Last year,
every single Power for school was there, so it is
(04:32):
It is a massive deal, a really cool event where
they do a pro style workout the first day and
then followed by three days of games to kind of
showcase these players, and it's been highly successful and and
Team Missouri has done well, and lots of kids have
(04:55):
you know, gotten opportunities and and moved on from from
this team. So looking forward, it's one of my favorite.
It's a incredibly busy week, but a fun week of
baseball on opportunity for these kids.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
I think it's interesting it that, you know, because even
last year, you know, you said the format kind of changes, agent,
and I know it's coming back to this this year
because you know you said the juniors twenty twenty sevens
the August first is the first date where they can
start ringing the phone.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
If I'm not I'm correcting that.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Right, correct, Yes, And so.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
With the portal now being as jam packed as it is,
you know, how do these things uh you know, for
these these kids. And I'm not saying they're not gonna
go or anything. I'm just looking at this the whole
aspect of these things. Where do you see these things
and how do they how is everything going to filter
out as you start to move through these things.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Kevin Well, that's something we've been reacting to as a
company extremely fast, and that was the invention of the
Senior Future Games last year because we've seen the recruiting
cycle get pushed back. Now most of the recruiting cycle
getting pushed back is a positive thing. I'm a huge
proponent of not being able to get a field of
(06:21):
recruiting call until the August first of your going to
be a junior year. They don't think it makes any
sense for freshmen and sophomores to be trying to decide
where they want to go to college. Too much changes,
and that's not what those young guys should be focused on.
They should be focused on their academics and becoming better
baseball players, better athletes, et cetera. So we added the
(06:48):
future the senior future games to kind of there is.
Now the recruiting cycle has just shifted back, which is
a good thing. But we've got more movement from the
NC double A. I think in over the next two
years things will we will get into a new normal.
(07:09):
Hopefully well, we will have a set of playing rules
that will stay relatively the same moving forward, and we
will be in a good place when that happens. But
it has been a heck of a four or five
years getting to that place, and unfortunately there have been
(07:30):
multiple you know, recruiting classes in a row that have
been greatly affected by this, and and COVID the super
senior that you know, the bonus here was also a
huge piece of that. You know, so that that has
also made college athletics as a whole much older. And
(07:54):
you know, with the transfer portal not having to set out,
coaches were able to grab, you know, a twenty one,
twenty two year old kid that had three, two, three,
sometimes even four years of college experience and a track
record and would take that kid over the eighteen year
old high school kid that was, you know, not yet
(08:16):
a man. The whole thing. So that's kind of the
reason why it's happened. But you know, looking forward, I
think that college baseball is going to be in a
very good spot come a couple of years from now.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
Let's talk about some of these players, you know, the scouting.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
And we should do a whole show on that, and
I could break that down in depth, you know, at
some point if you want to do that in the
fall or the winner. Oh yeah, and we can explain
that to the people, because I just glossed over that
thing in ninety seconds. We could seriously spend a we
could run a series on that of you know, eight
(08:59):
one hour specials. Uh, breaking that whole thing down.
Speaker 4 (09:02):
So well, when mister cecil is gonna be back in
the studio at some point, we'll get baseball one on
one back up, and uh we're gonna sit you guys down,
and uh we're gonna let you break her down. Kevin, Okay,
I mean these are these are some of the things. Yeah,
I mean, you know, we we haven't talked in quite
(09:24):
some time, you know, because we're running all over the
state doing what we do in the summertime. But you know,
it comes back to this, and there's a whole another
set of parents coming into this next session and this
so the conversation never gets outdated in my opinion, right.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Right, there's always a new set of people to have
to inform, a new group of seniors, juniors, a new
group of freshmen, you know, so it you have to
keep informing and in fairness, even if you knew the rules,
even if you had a son that is now a
senior in college changed since uh you know your son
was in high school. From a recruiting standpoint, so you
(10:07):
need a refresher. You need to be up up to date,
and quite honestly, I've needed refreshers. Everyone has. It's it
has changed, and uh, even the college coaches that I
talked to often don't. They they're up to date, but
it has changed so quick that they're not even sure
the exact rules or what they're going to be like
(10:28):
the following year.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
I mean, you know, I feel bad for some of
these college coaches, especially you're looking at the JC and
the Division two Division three who are catching a lot
of this, you know, and Division three is completely different
because of the the fact that Division three in the past,
(10:52):
as far as I know, they still don't give away athletics,
no scholars scholarship, right, So there's differences, and what do
you unders stand about that? And where do you go?
And and I feel bad for these coaches, But because
you're just trying to coach baseball, aren't.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
You feel bad? The coaches end up having to be
the bad guy in some of the situations. And truthfully,
they're just carrying out the orders of the NCAA and
Congress quite honestly, so, uh, it's not necessarily their fault,
but they're kind of the people put in charge of,
(11:27):
you know, making some of these tough decisions. And we've
seen it impact quite a few kids across the state
and especially even locally, and speaking of the j GAC
and whatnot, some some light d commits and whatnot. And
that's a byproduct of what's happening, uh with these rules.
Speaker 4 (11:48):
I you know, just a few off the top of
my head. Recently, Xander Schmidt, he left KU. He's at
Dreary now. And I mean Xander Schmidt is a D
one level player at Dry, you know, very good. Yeah,
and you know the benefit of Drury Division two a
(12:11):
good I mean, don't get me wrong, folks. Drury is
a very good Division two program and playing in a
very difficult conference. So it's not it's and I think
the the thought process here is changing. And you're seeing
some of these things recently. Saw and we've we've seen
him out at the pcd L as Jackson Vaughn. He's
(12:31):
getting healthy coming back off the hand injury. Uh my goodness, Kevin.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
That kid can just hit.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
He can really hit. That's a Division one level hitter.
He was a future gamer, you know, So that that's
what we think of him. And he's a very good player.
And fell victim. Uh. I believe what Chita State cut
their entire freshman class. They had a tough seat in
(13:00):
a tough spring, and are hammering the portal to try
to turn things around quickly in a one year turnaround.
So just kind of the way of the world. Then
it's unfortunate. I don't love to see it, but that's
how everyone's doing it these days. And by rule now
Division ones have to be down to thirty four man
(13:24):
rosters by December first if they opt into the revenue sharing,
which most bigger all bigger schools do. So that's these
are the effects.
Speaker 4 (13:35):
Yeah, and you know in which DA state?
Speaker 3 (13:37):
They're in Conference USA? Now, am I correct?
Speaker 2 (13:41):
No, they're in the American Athletic.
Speaker 4 (13:43):
American Athletic Okay, one of the.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
Better baseball conferences in the country. That's a phenomenal baseball conference.
Speaker 4 (13:49):
So you you understand why they did what they did
because you're competing in one of the in this big
time conference. You got to be able to compete where
you go, you know, and if you're just got a
bunch of freshmen coming in and this is the conversation
I've had with a lot.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
Of different people.
Speaker 4 (14:08):
You know, are you going to take this kid that's
had this fantastic season uh, coming in as a jue,
you know, from a junior, as a senior who has
played against this competition, whatnot.
Speaker 3 (14:22):
Mature this that?
Speaker 4 (14:24):
Yeah, yes you are, And I don't care if you
don't think that way. I don't think it's very smart
as a coach either, right.
Speaker 2 (14:34):
Right, No, yeah, And that's you know, these coaches are
put in impossible situations, and you know they were recruiting
not knowing the rules. It's not like you know, it's
they've played part of the game basically, and then someone
changed the rules on them halfway through, and now they
have to go make changes to their roster to come
(14:56):
compliant within those set of new rules exactly.
Speaker 4 (15:00):
I just saw Brendan Pile recently. He de committed right now.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
That one is a different situation. His coach that recruited
him left and so I think Brennan did that on
his own. And you know, I won't speak for It'll
be interesting to see what happens. I'm sure Bernan will commit,
you know, in the in the coming months. We'll see
(15:27):
where that that where that coach ends up and if
Brendan files files him there or uh. He obviously is
open to anyone to recruit at this point. But I
think that's a little different. But yes, you do see that.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
I think there's going to you know, the players that
I've seen that are out there, there's gonna be some
really interesting things, you know, and so late, how do
these kids get into some of these places where some
of these already these junior colleges have made commitments and whatnot.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
That that's the tough.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
Thing I think that you did you see from this
is how it has created some of this uncertainty, We'll
put it that way. And I think and you can
see it on some of the kids' faces, you know,
some of the uncertainty and I want to continue my career.
Speaker 3 (16:17):
But how does that look this year?
Speaker 4 (16:20):
And uh, I think that's going to be the difficulty
over the next couple of months. Uh when as we
start sorting this out.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
Yes, absolutely so.
Speaker 4 (16:31):
Uh Future Games summer scouting, let's give it. We got
some high school kids. I've seen some pretty dog gone
good uh good names Kevin heading to the Future Games, buddy.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
Yeah, we're we're really excited about it. Obviously. The one
positive by product of you know, the kids not being
able to commit till their junior year, there's only one
player in the twenty twenty seven committed that was grandfathered in,
and that's Chase Stepherman who's committed to Miszoo from Capital City.
The left handed pitcher and hitter. Very good player. But
(17:10):
you know, you know three years ago there had been eighteen.
You know, kids are so committed to Division one programs
already now this year that we just have Chase committed,
and UH, super excited. A lot familiar names, you know
behind the point. Carson Luthhauser from Eureka is coming, UH,
(17:32):
Andrew Maltsby from Staley. Those are our first couple of
catchers in the middle. UH. Cole Chambers from Saint Louis
U High. UH, he's gonna two way. UH. Peter Nixon
from Rockers very good middle infielder. Brady Yates from Glendale
(17:53):
High School. UH has been on the scene, really making
an impact of the varsity level since his freshman year.
His first team All state as a freshman. Max Partney,
big left handed hitter, has been highly successful down over Hillsborough,
Cam Miller from Nixa. Nixon had a great, great season
(18:14):
this year, and you know we heard a lot about
you know, Caven Cloud and Wyatt Vincent and Jackson Gamble. Well,
they had some good young guys in there mixed in
as well. And then from Ozark in the outfield we
got Rylan Sutton, very advanced left handed hitter, Warren Robertson
(18:37):
who's one of the more physically gifted players outfielder from
Rockhurst uh Landon Klee Uh. This one's a kind of
a pop up guy. Reminds me a little bit of
Seaton Thompson or in the terms of his coming on
here late his six four left handed hitter kind of
(18:58):
Aleen Ethna kind of has a Cayden Pier type game.
Not saying he's Kayden Pierre, just kind of a descriptor, yes, exactly.
And he's over Camdenton for the Lakers coach Dernan. There
Michael Wolfe, who has been starting at Zoomwalt West since
(19:20):
his freshman year I believe hit about five hundred this year,
maybe slightly over for the West. UH. And then Zach
Dejas Uh for a coach ash at Southern Boon, who's
the fastest kid in the state of true six 'y
three runner uh, fastest kid in the state at this age,
I should clarify. And and then on the mound. Uh.
(19:45):
We have the six to four right hander from Liberty,
Ryan Dobrats, big physical arm that there's a real chance
to be one of the big guys in a couple
of years.
Speaker 4 (19:57):
Did he got invited to the Area Code games.
Speaker 2 (19:59):
To did he did? Yes? He did. Brandon Nott who
has been on the Smett's varsity team and logs significant
innings for them as a freshman and sophomore. Carter Martin
from Warrenton, one of the better sliders in the class
(20:20):
is good. Yes yes, uh, Spencer Beltrom made but not
being named that you're aware, but park Hill South Kids
six five right hander, big upside uh Nathaniel Eakins from Logan, Rogersville.
So we saw him down at the state tournament. Upper
(20:40):
eighty's arm, electric arm with a very good slider Derek
Chuck which which was a big standout at the Missouri
State Games. Francis Halkidd uh six' six left handed pitcher
Upper eighties really excited about his future and it kind
of talks about the depth he only. I think he
got about seven innings on that Howl team that was
(21:04):
loaded with pitching this past year. Evan Magnuson another name
that should be very familiar. Pitched in both Platte County
games at the state tournament. Another six' four highly projected projectable,
Arm Chase, wilkerson another star from the state. Tournament lefty
(21:30):
up to ninety miles per, hour Helped Leed miller to
a state. Championship Parker sandstone who's over At, timberland very good,
arm upside, arm a kind of an electric. Fastball Evan
loftus another one of those guys you kind of throw
in the mix of those six two to six five
right handers in the, state and he's one of those as,
(21:53):
well big, upside and then left The Owen hughes who's
an upper eighty's left hand are out Of rockhurst as.
Well so a lot of talent For Team missouri that
we're really excited.
Speaker 4 (22:09):
About, kevin we should do, this, man we should do
a futures games just here in the state for six foot, under.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
Right there'd be enough to fill. It there is some
really good uh, yes, guys fun and under for, SURE.
Speaker 4 (22:33):
I mean you and and don't get me, WRONG i get,
it and you you understand the metrics and the things
and what they look at and AND i get all
THAT i think there it's it's it's tough sometimes because
you see some of these guys that are really good and,
uh you, know size is gonna play over because that's
(22:56):
where people are looking at and. WHATNOT i find.
Speaker 3 (23:00):
IT i find it.
Speaker 4 (23:01):
Interesting and this is what's tough, Sometimes kevin And I'M.
Speaker 3 (23:05):
I make light of, it but.
Speaker 4 (23:08):
We all understand what the thought process is and, right
wrong or, different it's just the way it.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
IS i don't worry about. It but it was.
Speaker 4 (23:18):
Funny i'm watching The dodgers And astros the other day
and The dodgers are just getting pummeled by everybody right,
now including The.
Speaker 3 (23:25):
Brewers.
Speaker 4 (23:26):
Uh but what was interesting is The gusto Or Goosta
gusto guy that was pitching the other. Day did you
Hear did you hear that story about?
Speaker 3 (23:36):
Him it was so.
Speaker 4 (23:37):
Interesting he was cut from his high school team because
he couldn't throw hard. Enough went to junior college and
pitt to. Pitch he was in the low. Eighties he
was gonna get. Cut they had an. Injury they brought him.
In he.
Speaker 3 (23:51):
Stayed he worked to two.
Speaker 4 (23:52):
Years by the end of his two, years he grew
like five inches and it's throwing ninety five is, YES
i understand that sometimes those are. OUTLIERS i get, that
and AND i understand, that but it happens still AND
i think this is where sometimes kids give up on
themselves maybe a little too, early don't you agree one hundred?
Speaker 2 (24:15):
Percent AND i see that every single year for uh.
Firsthand so, yeah and you don't have to be tall
to be good at, baseball Like Michael wolfe is sub
six foot and one of the better hitters in the.
Area now for the, pictures that's a little. Different you,
(24:37):
see you still see, them but you, know a lot
of these kids are kind of later, developers so it
is it is. Interesting but every single year there are
those kids that you, know we say pop or have
that big jump through an off season and gain you,
(25:01):
know multiple miles per hour on their, fastball et, cetera
and take massive. Jumps so, yeah and Like Derek chuck
would be an example kind of of that guy that
was uh you, know have you been on a different
high school. Team, uh you, know it probably is a varsity.
Guy But Francis holly kind of gets squeezed.
Speaker 4 (25:23):
Out.
Speaker 2 (25:25):
Has grown a, bunch you, know and now is starting to.
Pop but then there's a couple of guys that will,
be you, know a couple of years behind him in
the development. Process and so what The Future games is
is the kids that are ready at this. Moment it
doesn't mean that those kids that weren't invited won't end
(25:47):
up being better or end up being big leaders one.
Day so it is you, know it is an interesting you,
know and here's a kid that just this happened, to
a kid that would have never did not get invited
to The Future games that has absolutely exploded over the past.
(26:10):
Year Luke condrin from M i C. Ds this kid
was he's grown close to a foot in over the
last eighteen months and is now a six sixth left
hander that is committed to just committed To Notre dame
from M I. CDs, so you, know there's a kid
(26:31):
that you know was. Fine it wasn't like he was,
bad but he was certainly not a kid that acc
And power For schools were interested in one year ago
today and now he has a scholarship to one of
the best schools in the. Country. Uh and you, know
(26:52):
depending on how development, goes could be a guy that
pops on some pro radars just on the shear fact
that he's you, know six five sixty six and left,
handed that that's going to garner someone's attention.
Speaker 4 (27:05):
Immediately and that's WHY i, say you, KNOW i love
what you said there because pictures, ESPECIALLY i, agree because
you know you can don't don't put it. Off you're
five to, ten you, know one hundred and fifty. Pounds,
uh just because you throw in the low eighties right, now.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
Get to, college see what.
Speaker 4 (27:22):
Happens don't don't just you, know let it go because
you never.
Speaker 3 (27:26):
Know you just don't.
Speaker 4 (27:27):
Know and especially if your mom and dad are tall
people and sometimes jeans may that doesn't mean you won't
have a late Gross burt or something like. That SO
i think it's interesting as we talk about these. THINGS
i think people sometimes get discouraged by.
Speaker 3 (27:43):
Like i'm not that.
Speaker 4 (27:44):
Guy, well, no not right. Now that doesn't mean you
can't be or won't be it right.
Speaker 2 (27:50):
Right and, then to be real honest with, you a
lot of times just the, taller more projectible guys get
the first. Opportunities and not necessarily with. Me all that
generally happens with the future, games but with the colleges
and the pro, scouts and we call them prove it.
Guys and you, know a guy Like Jojo romero who's,
pitching you, know having you, know a big league, career
(28:14):
or there are all sorts of those type of guys
out there THAT i guarantee weren't the most highly ranked
or highly rated or heavily recruited type. Guys and they keep,
working they keep, hitting they keep getting, outs they keep
(28:35):
putting up, numbers improve it year after, year and they
pass those guys. By they get the first opportunities because
of their physical tools or how they look and. Whatnot
and at the end of the, day it is about getting.
Outs it is about. Hitting it is about getting it,
done and in the long, run that's what will win.
(28:57):
Out but people are always going to look for that
Next Bryce, Harper Shoho, tani you, know et. Cetera and
that's what those dudes look.
Speaker 4 (29:07):
Like, yeah AND i and and you know, WHAT i
think that's, FAIR i really, do because you see that they're,
athletic they have all. That but if you're not that person,
yet have some dog in you at least man come, on, yes,
yeah that's all you, know have some dog and keep keep,
working just keep. Working also with the summer scouting And
(29:30):
we've got a lot of this stuff coming, up And
i'm Very i'm very excited about. It the one hundredth
year Of American Legion, baseball the centennial, celebration we're involved
that we.
Speaker 3 (29:41):
Get don't miss Out.
Speaker 4 (29:42):
Summer bash on the twenty, Second we're going to be.
Celebrating we got some cool stuff coming. Up and then
we're heading over To sedelia for the state. Championships and,
uh one of the the two teams THAT i think
are at the forefront that will be battling it. Out
there's some there's some good, teams but, Uh elsbury is.
(30:05):
Backloaded uh you saw one of the, kids uh recently
from that's on That elsbury, Team Timmy emmons was at.
Speaker 2 (30:14):
Him, wow very tools the, player really good. RUNNER i
mean he lit it up the whole. Workout six four
runner on the mound also got up and was mid eighties,
fastball had a GOOD vp round legitimately mid nineties exit V.
(30:39):
L so very tools the. Player that's an exciting guy
THAT i will certainly have my eye on moving.
Speaker 4 (30:48):
Forward AND i one of the THINGS i liked about
his his round with With Timmy emmons was sweet. SPOT
I i always look at average eggs of. VELOW i
know the sexy one is the, max you, know and
everybody digs, that BUT i always go. DOWN i look
(31:09):
at sweet spot, PERCENTAGE i look at line drive. PERCENTAGE
i love the uh and his his average eggs of
villo was. Fantastic it was right, up it was. High
he it isn't it isn't a big jump from his
average to his. Max AND i always think that's a
that's a really good. Thing that means this this kid
seeing the, ball, well, uh he's putting the ball and
(31:31):
he's getting the ball on.
Speaker 2 (31:31):
The barrel consistently on the. Barrel, yeah and that's a
good way to describe. Him and, uh from from my,
looks it has been very similar as. Well so, yeah you,
know the max tells you what it can be when
things are you, know squared, up which is an important
number to. Note but to your, point what separates potential
(31:54):
and good hitters as the guys that can be doing
very Consistently and you know that that is one key
metric that we do look at.
Speaker 4 (32:03):
One of the one of the things that stood out
to me AND i THINK i said this to you
the other day when we were talking about This kevin
was AT i think it was The, yeah the the
one here The Legions scout day here At Saint. Louis
it was At Saint Charles Community.
Speaker 3 (32:20):
College that's one two. OH i FORGOT i have a. Touchscreen,
SORRY i can't do.
Speaker 4 (32:26):
That six guys were sub sub, seven starting With Timmy
emmons at six four.
Speaker 3 (32:36):
Five that's, elite that's elite.
Speaker 2 (32:38):
Speed that is, Yes and we had, yeah six sub,
sevens so that's that's really.
Speaker 4 (32:48):
Moving and then you had guys Uh Nikai scott at
a seven uh pretty much seven flat it was seven
point oh, Five Chase mullin seven oh seven land And
stirret seven o.
Speaker 3 (33:02):
Nine there's a lot of speed. HERE i.
Speaker 4 (33:03):
WAS i was really kind of surprised there was good
numbers put up in the sixty with This Ryan shipley
at a six five. Seven Jack, dwyer that name is
familiar to me AND I I'm. Lutheran that's Why Lutheran's High.
School the thing that that is interesting to, me and
(33:25):
what we talked about is a lot of these guys
are in that five eight to five eleven range and
this is where that and that's Why i'm saying you
can't just always there's athleticism. Here if you can run that,
fast you're an. Athlete you've got to that's a tool
that you're using for those. Things and SO i think
(33:47):
it's very interesting when you start putting those things in those,
factors how do you how do you then start measuring
from that with a lot of these players, correct.
Speaker 2 (33:58):
Absolutely, yes you, know running speed often tells you the
twitchiness of a, guy not only how fast they, are
but often guys that are fast have quick bats and
are just twitchy, athletes which is is a huge benefit
in a sport like. Baseball.
Speaker 4 (34:19):
Absolutely over in what do you think Of Charlie morgan
over there From.
Speaker 2 (34:24):
Warrensburg warrensburg, great very good, player and we've Known charlie
for a good. While he participated we did we split
The legions scout days up this year because we had
a good number of players coming from the west coast
Of missouri over In Kansas. City so, yeah we we
(34:45):
did two of. Them he Was warrensburg high, guy participated
in The Kansas city. One but all around good baseball,
player kind of a winning type baseball, player if you.
Will brian does a lot of stuff to help you.
Out maybe not elite at anything but very good in
a lot of. Things and those are good players to
(35:06):
have on your.
Speaker 4 (35:06):
Team absolutely absolutely over from, there you know you had
a couple. Guys he ran a six seven And blake
was it? Abby is that the way that's? Pronounced kid
From Sedelia Cole Camp High? School i've never heard of
that high.
Speaker 3 (35:25):
School where's Cold Camp?
Speaker 2 (35:31):
Camp that that is kind of in that western central
part of the.
Speaker 4 (35:36):
State, yeah and these are teams like The. Travelers that's
a that's a Good.
Speaker 3 (35:44):
Legion.
Speaker 4 (35:45):
Program Connor spinagel is the head coach over. There i'm
looking forward to seeing that team of what they can.
Do they've put together a really good program for the
last four or five. Years they went a, lot they're.
Successful they they have a lot of really just as you,
say good. Players and you, know we Saw Josh hegel
(36:10):
who is now At State, fair who went through that.
Program that's WHERE i first saw. Him and these are
things you, know as AS i was saying, before you
HAVE i think What legion is starting to produce and
what you've seen over the last couple of, years what's
your thoughts As American legion kind of starts putting themselves
(36:32):
back on the.
Speaker 3 (36:32):
Map, Here.
Speaker 2 (36:33):
Kevin, YEAH i think they've done a good job kind of.
Regrouping and you, Know American legion has been around for
like you, said one hundred, years so great. HISTORY i
think things evolved and now we have all these great
(36:54):
travel ball organizations and, whatnot AND i Think legion is
has found a good niche and oftentimes you see these
in the smaller town communities that will have really Strong
legion programs and it affords kids opportunities to play. Locally
(37:14):
and then you, know we've done fairly, well you know
as a state with Our legion programs representing or, uh you,
know on a national's. Scene so, Uh i'm thrilled to
do this event with them just to kind of elevate
the platform for these, kids give them a chance to
(37:34):
get some, exposure get their profiles accessible to college. Coaches
So i'm thrilled that we were able to work this
out with The American legion and provide these opportunities so
these kids can Play American legion baseball and still get you,
know access to a lot of these colleges as, well
(37:55):
because there aren't a lot of colleges coming out to
The legion games at this. Point so it's the recruiting
has gotten so, concentrated things like the future games where
they can come see a lot of the top players
all in one, spot which makes A legion game tough
(38:16):
because a lot of times in their rural areas and
it's just two teams playing one game and one night
in then that's. It and you, know now with these showcase,
tournaments you get all the top players in one. Spot
they're going to play a tournament over a couple of,
Days boom they pop. In the colleges pop, in watch
all these, kids and then they're. Out That it's kind
(38:37):
of how recruiting is has morphed into if you will.
Speaker 4 (38:42):
Well and two one of the THINGS i think that's
very cool about What i've seen over the last few.
Years And i'm seeing this, happen especially Because American legion
is nineteen you, okay so you could be a freshman
and co coming off your freshman year at college and
come back and Play legion. Ball And i'm seeing a
lot of this. Happen And ellsbury is. Won a lot
(39:05):
of those guys from that last year's team that was
like thirty six and four are back this. Year Avon
weaver that was AT. Ucm he's back. Pitching you've Got
Jackson ryder came, Back Gavin woodson from down At Mineral areas,
Back Brady creech came. Back you Have Timmy emmons on
That Warren conrad kid played in centerfield For, winfield very
(39:29):
good baseball. Player and they've gathered all these kids back
to make another. Run because you win the, state you
had to and this year just AN, fyi we're going
to do.
Speaker 3 (39:42):
This we're looking forward to.
Speaker 4 (39:43):
It we're going to be live streaming The Mid South
regional On Youth Baseball midwest this. Year, kevin that is
that was. Awesome, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, kansas And.
Missouri So i'm really looking forward to seeing all these
kids come in from these different.
Speaker 3 (40:03):
States And.
Speaker 4 (40:04):
Louisiana That bossier, team the boss Here, phillies they're. Fantastic
they had FIVE d one kids on that squad last
year that was up here playing uh two blow uh
post seventy out Of. Mississippi as you they won it
last year and they're looking pretty strong again this year as.
Well is That WASHINGTON yep At Ronsick.
Speaker 2 (40:25):
Park, okay, great it's a great.
Speaker 4 (40:27):
Venue, yeah and if you get a chance to come,
down come down and watch some really good. BASEBALL i
mean And elsbury was in that last year they finished
in the final. Four couldn't GET i think they lost
To louisiana in uh, my it was Either misssippi Or
louisiana in that that's where they bowed. Out but what
is cool is if you win That Mid South, regional
(40:51):
they take that team right from, there put them on
a plane and fly them To, Shelby North. Carolina that.
Awesome they don't pay for The American legion pay that's, yeah,
right not to mention you're gonna be all these?
Speaker 3 (41:07):
Games?
Speaker 4 (41:07):
Are you GOT Espn plus and then the championship is
ON ESPN. U so it's a it's a big, deal
AND i think more people should know about, it and
especially you know here here you have a picture that's
at A juco and you go and perform at a
high level ON espn and you get seen a little.
(41:28):
Bit there's still some more opportunities as even a collegiate,
player especially in the framework that we have, now you,
know and SO i think these guys are taking some
advantage of opportunities that they have to play at a
high level still and move into some of those. Things
SO i think there's a still that space Where legion
(41:50):
is still making that impact as.
Speaker 2 (41:52):
Well, Kevin, absolutely that's really cool and, yeah great thing
for for our state and that they're able to have
that At washington very.
Speaker 4 (42:02):
Cool, yeah this is the second year they did, it
last year they have. It this the last year they're
hosting that. There So i'm excited that we get a
chance to live stream. That it's like fifteen games in four,
days so it's gonna be a lot of baseball going.
On but That's august sixth through the tenth over At
Ronsick park In, Washington so make sure you mark that
(42:25):
on your. Calendar come down see some, ball baseball and
we look forward to so, folks you, know tell us
what you. Think you, know we got a lot of
stuff going. On the summers starting to wrap, UP i
guess is what you would call. It we'll be heading
towards football in about a, month, right.
Speaker 2 (42:48):
It'll be about.
Speaker 4 (42:49):
That.
Speaker 2 (42:49):
YEAH i actually looked at the calendar and noticed that this,
Week brian is actually the halfway point for summer. Break
at least for my, kids we have as many weeks
in front of us as we have behind us from
for summer. Breaks so but, yeah football camp and all
that stuff will be getting rolling for these high. Schools
(43:12):
you know they're they're obviously already doing training, sessions but
you know that official practice is start in Early, august
and you know games will be good rolling by the
end Of, august so it'll be here before you know.
It From no, hurry, Though let's keep it. Summertime, Yes
i'm as much AS i LOVE i love, WELL i
(43:35):
really like the summer, too.
Speaker 4 (43:39):
Exactly all, right, folks thanks for tuning. In, please if
you like what we're, doing subscribe hit the danger next to.
It it isn't a home, run but it sure as
notifications for more episodes just like. That we appreciate, It,
kevin thanks for stopping, in, Buddy appreciate you taking the
time in your busy.
Speaker 2 (43:57):
Schedule, oh have a great rest of your summer.
Speaker 4 (44:01):
Too absolutely, well we hope we'll see you next, week, Right,
oh absolutely, not you, know but then it might be
a little rough after, that right for a for a few. Weeks, ye,
Yes so, everybody have a great day in The lord
all you.
Speaker 3 (44:20):
Pictures give it to, Him, kevin.
Speaker 2 (44:23):
Keep doing.
Speaker 4 (44:24):
Shrikes and you hitters hit him where they ain't you
know who the first person to say that, was you
know where that came. From, uh that's a good.
Speaker 3 (44:37):
GUESS i like. That but it was even before.
Speaker 4 (44:39):
That We Willie keeler got. It he told US i
was watching a documentary on The hall Of fame with
narrated By Bob, costas and that's on his. PLAQUE i
hit him where they ain't.
Speaker 2 (44:53):
There you go, simple keep it.
Speaker 4 (44:56):
Simple we'll See we'll see you all next.
Speaker 3 (45:00):
Time m
M definitely a different type of process.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Put down or freeze, you know, being a coach's son.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Jackson, of course.
Speaker 4 (00:23):
Uh, they keep reaching on why stuck with the things?
A hit five pitch? Oh my, Hello everyone, Welcome inside
the Red Earth Production studios for this edition of YBM
cast Baseball Talk powered by Game seven Baseball. Game seventh
(00:46):
baseball dot com. Make sure you write that down, put
it where you can find it.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Fall ball coming up.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
If you're wanting to play some fall ball, the schedule
should be out I'd say probably by.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
The end of July autumn. And what did I think?
Speaker 4 (01:00):
Dave said something to that effect, didn't he drew, I
think something like that.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
It may already be out. I don't know. But anyway, if.
Speaker 4 (01:08):
You're looking for some fallball, Game seven Baseball is the
place to go. Some great turf fields out at Warrington,
the Athletic Complex known as the Whack Well that's.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
What we call it, so you know.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
But anyway, Uh, make sure you dial up Game seven
baseball dot com.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
We appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (01:31):
Tell him, Tell Dave and Dave that Brian from ybmsinscha. Okay,
all right, today he's back. We've been running all over
the state for the past. What I don't know five
months now is the Guru himself, mister Kevin Boulder.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Kevin, how you doing, buddy.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
I'm doing great. How about yourself?
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Doing well? Doing well? Slowing down?
Speaker 4 (02:01):
Got a little bit of summer left. Uh, you've been
on vacation yet.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Not really? Oh no, not really and uh get that
at the end of the summer, So.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
Try and squeeze it in before locations.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
I've traveled around, but I don't necessarily count that as vacation.
It's all been travel for baseball.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
So and uh, you're gonna be traveling some more. Uh,
the Future Games, the Big Daddy coming up.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
You've been through the Scout days.
Speaker 4 (02:40):
I know there's a couple of of events that you
used to really select the invites around and starting to
see him populate.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Talk to us about this team. What are we looking on?
Last year?
Speaker 4 (02:50):
You you had you know, some really good Uh. Uh
was it the juniors that one?
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Did you?
Speaker 4 (02:59):
Now?
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Yeah? Now, the Junior Future Games is different than the
Future Games. That is, we're competing to win. It's a
it's a real I don't want to say it's a tournament.
When your goal is to win the tournament, and yeah,
team Missouri won that event, so beat the likes of
Texas and California, Tennessee. I think we beat Wisconsin in
(03:24):
Indiana on our path to to the championship. So that
was that was pretty cool. Now the future games, the
original model this year is going to be juniors, which
as the twenty twenty seven class. That's a round robin
deal where it's just three games. Winning is not the objective.
(03:49):
It is a showcase event. It's real baseball. But pitchers
are pretty set. We haven't mapped out for the scouts,
so they know which read a four pitchers are throwing
that day. They're typically throwing two innings and outing. You know,
positions are rotated and you know lineups are balanced out,
(04:10):
et cetera. So it's really designed to put on the
best show possible for the college scouts and and that's
that's why it's turned into the event, and it has
turned into there's over four hundred schools there. Last year,
every single Power for school was there, so it is
(04:32):
It is a massive deal, a really cool event where
they do a pro style workout the first day and
then followed by three days of games to kind of
showcase these players, and it's been highly successful and and
Team Missouri has done well, and lots of kids have
(04:55):
you know, gotten opportunities and and moved on from from
this team. So looking forward, it's one of my favorite.
It's a incredibly busy week, but a fun week of
baseball on opportunity for these kids.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
I think it's interesting it that, you know, because even
last year, you know, you said the format kind of changes, agent,
and I know it's coming back to this this year
because you know you said the juniors twenty twenty sevens
the August first is the first date where they can
start ringing the phone.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
If I'm not I'm correcting that.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Right, correct, Yes, And so.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
With the portal now being as jam packed as it is,
you know, how do these things uh you know, for
these these kids. And I'm not saying they're not gonna
go or anything. I'm just looking at this the whole
aspect of these things. Where do you see these things
and how do they how is everything going to filter
out as you start to move through these things.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Kevin Well, that's something we've been reacting to as a
company extremely fast, and that was the invention of the
Senior Future Games last year because we've seen the recruiting
cycle get pushed back. Now most of the recruiting cycle
getting pushed back is a positive thing. I'm a huge
proponent of not being able to get a field of
(06:21):
recruiting call until the August first of your going to
be a junior year. They don't think it makes any
sense for freshmen and sophomores to be trying to decide
where they want to go to college. Too much changes,
and that's not what those young guys should be focused on.
They should be focused on their academics and becoming better
baseball players, better athletes, et cetera. So we added the
(06:48):
future the senior future games to kind of there is.
Now the recruiting cycle has just shifted back, which is
a good thing. But we've got more movement from the
NC double A. I think in over the next two
years things will we will get into a new normal.
(07:09):
Hopefully well, we will have a set of playing rules
that will stay relatively the same moving forward, and we
will be in a good place when that happens. But
it has been a heck of a four or five
years getting to that place, and unfortunately there have been
(07:30):
multiple you know, recruiting classes in a row that have
been greatly affected by this, and and COVID the super
senior that you know, the bonus here was also a
huge piece of that. You know, so that that has
also made college athletics as a whole much older. And
(07:54):
you know, with the transfer portal not having to set out,
coaches were able to grab, you know, a twenty one,
twenty two year old kid that had three, two, three,
sometimes even four years of college experience and a track
record and would take that kid over the eighteen year
old high school kid that was, you know, not yet
(08:16):
a man. The whole thing. So that's kind of the
reason why it's happened. But you know, looking forward, I
think that college baseball is going to be in a
very good spot come a couple of years from now.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
Let's talk about some of these players, you know, the scouting.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
And we should do a whole show on that, and
I could break that down in depth, you know, at
some point if you want to do that in the
fall or the winner. Oh yeah, and we can explain
that to the people, because I just glossed over that
thing in ninety seconds. We could seriously spend a we
could run a series on that of you know, eight
(08:59):
one hour specials. Uh, breaking that whole thing down.
Speaker 4 (09:02):
So well, when mister cecil is gonna be back in
the studio at some point, we'll get baseball one on
one back up, and uh we're gonna sit you guys down,
and uh we're gonna let you break her down. Kevin, Okay,
I mean these are these are some of the things. Yeah,
I mean, you know, we we haven't talked in quite
(09:24):
some time, you know, because we're running all over the
state doing what we do in the summertime. But you know,
it comes back to this, and there's a whole another
set of parents coming into this next session and this
so the conversation never gets outdated in my opinion, right.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Right, there's always a new set of people to have
to inform, a new group of seniors, juniors, a new
group of freshmen, you know, so it you have to
keep informing and in fairness, even if you knew the rules,
even if you had a son that is now a
senior in college changed since uh you know your son
was in high school. From a recruiting standpoint, so you
(10:07):
need a refresher. You need to be up up to date,
and quite honestly, I've needed refreshers. Everyone has. It's it
has changed, and uh, even the college coaches that I
talked to often don't. They they're up to date, but
it has changed so quick that they're not even sure
the exact rules or what they're going to be like
(10:28):
the following year.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
I mean, you know, I feel bad for some of
these college coaches, especially you're looking at the JC and
the Division two Division three who are catching a lot
of this, you know, and Division three is completely different
because of the the fact that Division three in the past,
(10:52):
as far as I know, they still don't give away athletics,
no scholars scholarship, right, So there's differences, and what do
you unders stand about that? And where do you go?
And and I feel bad for these coaches, But because
you're just trying to coach baseball, aren't.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
You feel bad? The coaches end up having to be
the bad guy in some of the situations. And truthfully,
they're just carrying out the orders of the NCAA and
Congress quite honestly, so, uh, it's not necessarily their fault,
but they're kind of the people put in charge of,
(11:27):
you know, making some of these tough decisions. And we've
seen it impact quite a few kids across the state
and especially even locally, and speaking of the j GAC
and whatnot, some some light d commits and whatnot. And
that's a byproduct of what's happening, uh with these rules.
Speaker 4 (11:48):
I you know, just a few off the top of
my head. Recently, Xander Schmidt, he left KU. He's at
Dreary now. And I mean Xander Schmidt is a D
one level player at Dry, you know, very good. Yeah,
and you know the benefit of Drury Division two a
(12:11):
good I mean, don't get me wrong, folks. Drury is
a very good Division two program and playing in a
very difficult conference. So it's not it's and I think
the the thought process here is changing. And you're seeing
some of these things recently. Saw and we've we've seen
him out at the pcd L as Jackson Vaughn. He's
(12:31):
getting healthy coming back off the hand injury. Uh my goodness, Kevin.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
That kid can just hit.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
He can really hit. That's a Division one level hitter.
He was a future gamer, you know, So that that's
what we think of him. And he's a very good player.
And fell victim. Uh. I believe what Chita State cut
their entire freshman class. They had a tough seat in
(13:00):
a tough spring, and are hammering the portal to try
to turn things around quickly in a one year turnaround.
So just kind of the way of the world. Then
it's unfortunate. I don't love to see it, but that's
how everyone's doing it these days. And by rule now
Division ones have to be down to thirty four man
(13:24):
rosters by December first if they opt into the revenue sharing,
which most bigger all bigger schools do. So that's these
are the effects.
Speaker 4 (13:35):
Yeah, and you know in which DA state?
Speaker 3 (13:37):
They're in Conference USA? Now, am I correct?
Speaker 2 (13:41):
No, they're in the American Athletic.
Speaker 4 (13:43):
American Athletic Okay, one of the.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
Better baseball conferences in the country. That's a phenomenal baseball conference.
Speaker 4 (13:49):
So you you understand why they did what they did
because you're competing in one of the in this big
time conference. You got to be able to compete where
you go, you know, and if you're just got a
bunch of freshmen coming in and this is the conversation
I've had with a lot.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
Of different people.
Speaker 4 (14:08):
You know, are you going to take this kid that's
had this fantastic season uh, coming in as a jue,
you know, from a junior, as a senior who has
played against this competition, whatnot.
Speaker 3 (14:22):
Mature this that?
Speaker 4 (14:24):
Yeah, yes you are, And I don't care if you
don't think that way. I don't think it's very smart
as a coach either, right.
Speaker 2 (14:34):
Right, No, yeah, And that's you know, these coaches are
put in impossible situations, and you know they were recruiting
not knowing the rules. It's not like you know, it's
they've played part of the game basically, and then someone
changed the rules on them halfway through, and now they
have to go make changes to their roster to come
(14:56):
compliant within those set of new rules exactly.
Speaker 4 (15:00):
I just saw Brendan Pile recently. He de committed right now.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
That one is a different situation. His coach that recruited
him left and so I think Brennan did that on
his own. And you know, I won't speak for It'll
be interesting to see what happens. I'm sure Bernan will commit,
you know, in the in the coming months. We'll see
(15:27):
where that that where that coach ends up and if
Brendan files files him there or uh. He obviously is
open to anyone to recruit at this point. But I
think that's a little different. But yes, you do see that.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
I think there's going to you know, the players that
I've seen that are out there, there's gonna be some
really interesting things, you know, and so late, how do
these kids get into some of these places where some
of these already these junior colleges have made commitments and whatnot.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
That that's the tough.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
Thing I think that you did you see from this
is how it has created some of this uncertainty, We'll
put it that way. And I think and you can
see it on some of the kids' faces, you know,
some of the uncertainty and I want to continue my career.
Speaker 3 (16:17):
But how does that look this year?
Speaker 4 (16:20):
And uh, I think that's going to be the difficulty
over the next couple of months. Uh when as we
start sorting this out.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
Yes, absolutely so.
Speaker 4 (16:31):
Uh Future Games summer scouting, let's give it. We got
some high school kids. I've seen some pretty dog gone
good uh good names Kevin heading to the Future Games, buddy.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
Yeah, we're we're really excited about it. Obviously. The one
positive by product of you know, the kids not being
able to commit till their junior year, there's only one
player in the twenty twenty seven committed that was grandfathered in,
and that's Chase Stepherman who's committed to Miszoo from Capital City.
The left handed pitcher and hitter. Very good player. But
(17:10):
you know, you know three years ago there had been eighteen.
You know, kids are so committed to Division one programs
already now this year that we just have Chase committed,
and UH, super excited. A lot familiar names, you know
behind the point. Carson Luthhauser from Eureka is coming, UH,
(17:32):
Andrew Maltsby from Staley. Those are our first couple of
catchers in the middle. UH. Cole Chambers from Saint Louis
U High. UH, he's gonna two way. UH. Peter Nixon
from Rockers very good middle infielder. Brady Yates from Glendale
(17:53):
High School. UH has been on the scene, really making
an impact of the varsity level since his freshman year.
His first team All state as a freshman. Max Partney,
big left handed hitter, has been highly successful down over Hillsborough,
Cam Miller from Nixa. Nixon had a great, great season
(18:14):
this year, and you know we heard a lot about
you know, Caven Cloud and Wyatt Vincent and Jackson Gamble. Well,
they had some good young guys in there mixed in
as well. And then from Ozark in the outfield we
got Rylan Sutton, very advanced left handed hitter, Warren Robertson
(18:37):
who's one of the more physically gifted players outfielder from
Rockhurst uh Landon Klee Uh. This one's a kind of
a pop up guy. Reminds me a little bit of
Seaton Thompson or in the terms of his coming on
here late his six four left handed hitter kind of
(18:58):
Aleen Ethna kind of has a Cayden Pier type game.
Not saying he's Kayden Pierre, just kind of a descriptor, yes, exactly.
And he's over Camdenton for the Lakers coach Dernan. There
Michael Wolfe, who has been starting at Zoomwalt West since
(19:20):
his freshman year I believe hit about five hundred this year,
maybe slightly over for the West. UH. And then Zach
Dejas Uh for a coach ash at Southern Boon, who's
the fastest kid in the state of true six 'y
three runner uh, fastest kid in the state at this age,
I should clarify. And and then on the mound. Uh.
(19:45):
We have the six to four right hander from Liberty,
Ryan Dobrats, big physical arm that there's a real chance
to be one of the big guys in a couple
of years.
Speaker 4 (19:57):
Did he got invited to the Area Code games.
Speaker 2 (19:59):
To did he did? Yes? He did. Brandon Nott who
has been on the Smett's varsity team and logs significant
innings for them as a freshman and sophomore. Carter Martin
from Warrenton, one of the better sliders in the class
(20:20):
is good. Yes yes, uh, Spencer Beltrom made but not
being named that you're aware, but park Hill South Kids
six five right hander, big upside uh Nathaniel Eakins from Logan, Rogersville.
So we saw him down at the state tournament. Upper
(20:40):
eighty's arm, electric arm with a very good slider Derek
Chuck which which was a big standout at the Missouri
State Games. Francis Halkidd uh six' six left handed pitcher
Upper eighties really excited about his future and it kind
of talks about the depth he only. I think he
got about seven innings on that Howl team that was
(21:04):
loaded with pitching this past year. Evan Magnuson another name
that should be very familiar. Pitched in both Platte County
games at the state tournament. Another six' four highly projected projectable,
Arm Chase, wilkerson another star from the state. Tournament lefty
(21:30):
up to ninety miles per, hour Helped Leed miller to
a state. Championship Parker sandstone who's over At, timberland very good,
arm upside, arm a kind of an electric. Fastball Evan
loftus another one of those guys you kind of throw
in the mix of those six two to six five
right handers in the, state and he's one of those as,
(21:53):
well big, upside and then left The Owen hughes who's
an upper eighty's left hand are out Of rockhurst as.
Well so a lot of talent For Team missouri that
we're really excited.
Speaker 4 (22:09):
About, kevin we should do, this, man we should do
a futures games just here in the state for six foot, under.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
Right there'd be enough to fill. It there is some
really good uh, yes, guys fun and under for, SURE.
Speaker 4 (22:33):
I mean you and and don't get me, WRONG i get,
it and you you understand the metrics and the things
and what they look at and AND i get all
THAT i think there it's it's it's tough sometimes because
you see some of these guys that are really good and,
uh you, know size is gonna play over because that's
(22:56):
where people are looking at and. WHATNOT i find.
Speaker 3 (23:00):
IT i find it.
Speaker 4 (23:01):
Interesting and this is what's tough, Sometimes kevin And I'M.
Speaker 3 (23:05):
I make light of, it but.
Speaker 4 (23:08):
We all understand what the thought process is and, right
wrong or, different it's just the way it.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
IS i don't worry about. It but it was.
Speaker 4 (23:18):
Funny i'm watching The dodgers And astros the other day
and The dodgers are just getting pummeled by everybody right,
now including The.
Speaker 3 (23:25):
Brewers.
Speaker 4 (23:26):
Uh but what was interesting is The gusto Or Goosta
gusto guy that was pitching the other. Day did you
Hear did you hear that story about?
Speaker 3 (23:36):
Him it was so.
Speaker 4 (23:37):
Interesting he was cut from his high school team because
he couldn't throw hard. Enough went to junior college and
pitt to. Pitch he was in the low. Eighties he
was gonna get. Cut they had an. Injury they brought him.
In he.
Speaker 3 (23:51):
Stayed he worked to two.
Speaker 4 (23:52):
Years by the end of his two, years he grew
like five inches and it's throwing ninety five is, YES
i understand that sometimes those are. OUTLIERS i get, that
and AND i understand, that but it happens still AND
i think this is where sometimes kids give up on
themselves maybe a little too, early don't you agree one hundred?
Speaker 2 (24:15):
Percent AND i see that every single year for uh.
Firsthand so, yeah and you don't have to be tall
to be good at, baseball Like Michael wolfe is sub
six foot and one of the better hitters in the.
Area now for the, pictures that's a little. Different you,
(24:37):
see you still see, them but you, know a lot
of these kids are kind of later, developers so it
is it is. Interesting but every single year there are
those kids that you, know we say pop or have
that big jump through an off season and gain you,
(25:01):
know multiple miles per hour on their, fastball et, cetera
and take massive. Jumps so, yeah and Like Derek chuck
would be an example kind of of that guy that
was uh you, know have you been on a different
high school. Team, uh you, know it probably is a varsity.
Guy But Francis holly kind of gets squeezed.
Speaker 4 (25:23):
Out.
Speaker 2 (25:25):
Has grown a, bunch you, know and now is starting to.
Pop but then there's a couple of guys that will,
be you, know a couple of years behind him in
the development. Process and so what The Future games is
is the kids that are ready at this. Moment it
doesn't mean that those kids that weren't invited won't end
(25:47):
up being better or end up being big leaders one.
Day so it is you, know it is an interesting you,
know and here's a kid that just this happened, to
a kid that would have never did not get invited
to The Future games that has absolutely exploded over the past.
(26:10):
Year Luke condrin from M i C. Ds this kid
was he's grown close to a foot in over the
last eighteen months and is now a six sixth left
hander that is committed to just committed To Notre dame
from M I. CDs, so you, know there's a kid
(26:31):
that you know was. Fine it wasn't like he was,
bad but he was certainly not a kid that acc
And power For schools were interested in one year ago
today and now he has a scholarship to one of
the best schools in the. Country. Uh and you, know
(26:52):
depending on how development, goes could be a guy that
pops on some pro radars just on the shear fact
that he's you, know six five sixty six and left,
handed that that's going to garner someone's attention.
Speaker 4 (27:05):
Immediately and that's WHY i, say you, KNOW i love
what you said there because pictures, ESPECIALLY i, agree because
you know you can don't don't put it. Off you're
five to, ten you, know one hundred and fifty. Pounds,
uh just because you throw in the low eighties right, now.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
Get to, college see what.
Speaker 4 (27:22):
Happens don't don't just you, know let it go because
you never.
Speaker 3 (27:26):
Know you just don't.
Speaker 4 (27:27):
Know and especially if your mom and dad are tall
people and sometimes jeans may that doesn't mean you won't
have a late Gross burt or something like. That SO
i think it's interesting as we talk about these. THINGS
i think people sometimes get discouraged by.
Speaker 3 (27:43):
Like i'm not that.
Speaker 4 (27:44):
Guy, well, no not right. Now that doesn't mean you
can't be or won't be it right.
Speaker 2 (27:50):
Right and, then to be real honest with, you a
lot of times just the, taller more projectible guys get
the first. Opportunities and not necessarily with. Me all that
generally happens with the future, games but with the colleges
and the pro, scouts and we call them prove it.
Guys and you, know a guy Like Jojo romero who's,
pitching you, know having you, know a big league, career
(28:14):
or there are all sorts of those type of guys
out there THAT i guarantee weren't the most highly ranked
or highly rated or heavily recruited type. Guys and they keep,
working they keep, hitting they keep getting, outs they keep
(28:35):
putting up, numbers improve it year after, year and they
pass those guys. By they get the first opportunities because
of their physical tools or how they look and. Whatnot
and at the end of the, day it is about getting.
Outs it is about. Hitting it is about getting it,
done and in the long, run that's what will win.
(28:57):
Out but people are always going to look for that
Next Bryce, Harper Shoho, tani you, know et. Cetera and
that's what those dudes look.
Speaker 4 (29:07):
Like, yeah AND i and and you know, WHAT i
think that's, FAIR i really, do because you see that they're,
athletic they have all. That but if you're not that person,
yet have some dog in you at least man come, on, yes,
yeah that's all you, know have some dog and keep keep,
working just keep. Working also with the summer scouting And
(29:30):
we've got a lot of this stuff coming, up And
i'm Very i'm very excited about. It the one hundredth
year Of American Legion, baseball the centennial, celebration we're involved
that we.
Speaker 3 (29:41):
Get don't miss Out.
Speaker 4 (29:42):
Summer bash on the twenty, Second we're going to be.
Celebrating we got some cool stuff coming. Up and then
we're heading over To sedelia for the state. Championships and,
uh one of the the two teams THAT i think
are at the forefront that will be battling it. Out
there's some there's some good, teams but, Uh elsbury is.
(30:05):
Backloaded uh you saw one of the, kids uh recently
from that's on That elsbury, Team Timmy emmons was at.
Speaker 2 (30:14):
Him, wow very tools the, player really good. RUNNER i
mean he lit it up the whole. Workout six four
runner on the mound also got up and was mid eighties,
fastball had a GOOD vp round legitimately mid nineties exit V.
(30:39):
L so very tools the. Player that's an exciting guy
THAT i will certainly have my eye on moving.
Speaker 4 (30:48):
Forward AND i one of the THINGS i liked about
his his round with With Timmy emmons was sweet. SPOT
I i always look at average eggs of. VELOW i
know the sexy one is the, max you, know and
everybody digs, that BUT i always go. DOWN i look
(31:09):
at sweet spot, PERCENTAGE i look at line drive. PERCENTAGE
i love the uh and his his average eggs of
villo was. Fantastic it was right, up it was. High
he it isn't it isn't a big jump from his
average to his. Max AND i always think that's a
that's a really good. Thing that means this this kid
seeing the, ball, well, uh he's putting the ball and
(31:31):
he's getting the ball on.
Speaker 2 (31:31):
The barrel consistently on the. Barrel, yeah and that's a
good way to describe. Him and, uh from from my,
looks it has been very similar as. Well so, yeah you,
know the max tells you what it can be when
things are you, know squared, up which is an important
number to. Note but to your, point what separates potential
(31:54):
and good hitters as the guys that can be doing
very Consistently and you know that that is one key
metric that we do look at.
Speaker 4 (32:03):
One of the one of the things that stood out
to me AND i THINK i said this to you
the other day when we were talking about This kevin
was AT i think it was The, yeah the the
one here The Legions scout day here At Saint. Louis
it was At Saint Charles Community.
Speaker 3 (32:20):
College that's one two. OH i FORGOT i have a. Touchscreen,
SORRY i can't do.
Speaker 4 (32:26):
That six guys were sub sub, seven starting With Timmy
emmons at six four.
Speaker 3 (32:36):
Five that's, elite that's elite.
Speaker 2 (32:38):
Speed that is, Yes and we had, yeah six sub,
sevens so that's that's really.
Speaker 4 (32:48):
Moving and then you had guys Uh Nikai scott at
a seven uh pretty much seven flat it was seven
point oh, Five Chase mullin seven oh seven land And
stirret seven o.
Speaker 3 (33:02):
Nine there's a lot of speed. HERE i.
Speaker 4 (33:03):
WAS i was really kind of surprised there was good
numbers put up in the sixty with This Ryan shipley
at a six five. Seven Jack, dwyer that name is
familiar to me AND I I'm. Lutheran that's Why Lutheran's High.
School the thing that that is interesting to, me and
(33:25):
what we talked about is a lot of these guys
are in that five eight to five eleven range and
this is where that and that's Why i'm saying you
can't just always there's athleticism. Here if you can run that,
fast you're an. Athlete you've got to that's a tool
that you're using for those. Things and SO i think
(33:47):
it's very interesting when you start putting those things in those,
factors how do you how do you then start measuring
from that with a lot of these players, correct.
Speaker 2 (33:58):
Absolutely, yes you, know running speed often tells you the
twitchiness of a, guy not only how fast they, are
but often guys that are fast have quick bats and
are just twitchy, athletes which is is a huge benefit
in a sport like. Baseball.
Speaker 4 (34:19):
Absolutely over in what do you think Of Charlie morgan
over there From.
Speaker 2 (34:24):
Warrensburg warrensburg, great very good, player and we've Known charlie
for a good. While he participated we did we split
The legions scout days up this year because we had
a good number of players coming from the west coast
Of missouri over In Kansas. City so, yeah we we
(34:45):
did two of. Them he Was warrensburg high, guy participated
in The Kansas city. One but all around good baseball,
player kind of a winning type baseball, player if you.
Will brian does a lot of stuff to help you.
Out maybe not elite at anything but very good in
a lot of. Things and those are good players to
(35:06):
have on your.
Speaker 4 (35:06):
Team absolutely absolutely over from, there you know you had
a couple. Guys he ran a six seven And blake
was it? Abby is that the way that's? Pronounced kid
From Sedelia Cole Camp High? School i've never heard of
that high.
Speaker 3 (35:25):
School where's Cold Camp?
Speaker 2 (35:31):
Camp that that is kind of in that western central
part of the.
Speaker 4 (35:36):
State, yeah and these are teams like The. Travelers that's
a that's a Good.
Speaker 3 (35:44):
Legion.
Speaker 4 (35:45):
Program Connor spinagel is the head coach over. There i'm
looking forward to seeing that team of what they can.
Do they've put together a really good program for the
last four or five. Years they went a, lot they're.
Successful they they have a lot of really just as you,
say good. Players and you, know we Saw Josh hegel
(36:10):
who is now At State, fair who went through that.
Program that's WHERE i first saw. Him and these are
things you, know as AS i was saying, before you
HAVE i think What legion is starting to produce and
what you've seen over the last couple of, years what's
your thoughts As American legion kind of starts putting themselves
(36:32):
back on the.
Speaker 3 (36:32):
Map, Here.
Speaker 2 (36:33):
Kevin, YEAH i think they've done a good job kind of.
Regrouping and you, Know American legion has been around for
like you, said one hundred, years so great. HISTORY i
think things evolved and now we have all these great
(36:54):
travel ball organizations and, whatnot AND i Think legion is
has found a good niche and oftentimes you see these
in the smaller town communities that will have really Strong
legion programs and it affords kids opportunities to play. Locally
(37:14):
and then you, know we've done fairly, well you know
as a state with Our legion programs representing or, uh you,
know on a national's. Scene so, Uh i'm thrilled to
do this event with them just to kind of elevate
the platform for these, kids give them a chance to
(37:34):
get some, exposure get their profiles accessible to college. Coaches
So i'm thrilled that we were able to work this
out with The American legion and provide these opportunities so
these kids can Play American legion baseball and still get you,
know access to a lot of these colleges as, well
(37:55):
because there aren't a lot of colleges coming out to
The legion games at this. Point so it's the recruiting
has gotten so, concentrated things like the future games where
they can come see a lot of the top players
all in one, spot which makes A legion game tough
(38:16):
because a lot of times in their rural areas and
it's just two teams playing one game and one night
in then that's. It and you, know now with these showcase,
tournaments you get all the top players in one. Spot
they're going to play a tournament over a couple of,
Days boom they pop. In the colleges pop, in watch
all these, kids and then they're. Out That it's kind
(38:37):
of how recruiting is has morphed into if you will.
Speaker 4 (38:42):
Well and two one of the THINGS i think that's
very cool about What i've seen over the last few.
Years And i'm seeing this, happen especially Because American legion
is nineteen you, okay so you could be a freshman
and co coming off your freshman year at college and
come back and Play legion. Ball And i'm seeing a
lot of this. Happen And ellsbury is. Won a lot
(39:05):
of those guys from that last year's team that was
like thirty six and four are back this. Year Avon
weaver that was AT. Ucm he's back. Pitching you've Got
Jackson ryder came, Back Gavin woodson from down At Mineral areas,
Back Brady creech came. Back you Have Timmy emmons on
That Warren conrad kid played in centerfield For, winfield very
(39:29):
good baseball. Player and they've gathered all these kids back
to make another. Run because you win the, state you
had to and this year just AN, fyi we're going
to do.
Speaker 3 (39:42):
This we're looking forward to.
Speaker 4 (39:43):
It we're going to be live streaming The Mid South
regional On Youth Baseball midwest this. Year, kevin that is
that was. Awesome, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, kansas And.
Missouri So i'm really looking forward to seeing all these
kids come in from these different.
Speaker 3 (40:03):
States And.
Speaker 4 (40:04):
Louisiana That bossier, team the boss Here, phillies they're. Fantastic
they had FIVE d one kids on that squad last
year that was up here playing uh two blow uh
post seventy out Of. Mississippi as you they won it
last year and they're looking pretty strong again this year as.
Well is That WASHINGTON yep At Ronsick.
Speaker 2 (40:25):
Park, okay, great it's a great.
Speaker 4 (40:27):
Venue, yeah and if you get a chance to come,
down come down and watch some really good. BASEBALL i
mean And elsbury was in that last year they finished
in the final. Four couldn't GET i think they lost
To louisiana in uh, my it was Either misssippi Or
louisiana in that that's where they bowed. Out but what
is cool is if you win That Mid South, regional
(40:51):
they take that team right from, there put them on
a plane and fly them To, Shelby North. Carolina that.
Awesome they don't pay for The American legion pay that's, yeah,
right not to mention you're gonna be all these?
Speaker 3 (41:07):
Games?
Speaker 4 (41:07):
Are you GOT Espn plus and then the championship is
ON ESPN. U so it's a it's a big, deal
AND i think more people should know about, it and
especially you know here here you have a picture that's
at A juco and you go and perform at a
high level ON espn and you get seen a little.
(41:28):
Bit there's still some more opportunities as even a collegiate,
player especially in the framework that we have, now you,
know and SO i think these guys are taking some
advantage of opportunities that they have to play at a
high level still and move into some of those. Things
SO i think there's a still that space Where legion
(41:50):
is still making that impact as.
Speaker 2 (41:52):
Well, Kevin, absolutely that's really cool and, yeah great thing
for for our state and that they're able to have
that At washington very.
Speaker 4 (42:02):
Cool, yeah this is the second year they did, it
last year they have. It this the last year they're
hosting that. There So i'm excited that we get a
chance to live stream. That it's like fifteen games in four,
days so it's gonna be a lot of baseball going.
On but That's august sixth through the tenth over At
Ronsick park In, Washington so make sure you mark that
(42:25):
on your. Calendar come down see some, ball baseball and
we look forward to so, folks you, know tell us
what you. Think you, know we got a lot of
stuff going. On the summers starting to wrap, UP i
guess is what you would call. It we'll be heading
towards football in about a, month, right.
Speaker 2 (42:48):
It'll be about.
Speaker 4 (42:49):
That.
Speaker 2 (42:49):
YEAH i actually looked at the calendar and noticed that this,
Week brian is actually the halfway point for summer. Break
at least for my, kids we have as many weeks
in front of us as we have behind us from
for summer. Breaks so but, yeah football camp and all
that stuff will be getting rolling for these high. Schools
(43:12):
you know they're they're obviously already doing training, sessions but
you know that official practice is start in Early, august
and you know games will be good rolling by the
end Of, august so it'll be here before you know.
It From no, hurry, Though let's keep it. Summertime, Yes
i'm as much AS i LOVE i love, WELL i
(43:35):
really like the summer, too.
Speaker 4 (43:39):
Exactly all, right, folks thanks for tuning. In, please if
you like what we're, doing subscribe hit the danger next to.
It it isn't a home, run but it sure as
notifications for more episodes just like. That we appreciate, It,
kevin thanks for stopping, in, Buddy appreciate you taking the
time in your busy.
Speaker 2 (43:57):
Schedule, oh have a great rest of your summer.
Speaker 4 (44:01):
Too absolutely, well we hope we'll see you next, week, Right,
oh absolutely, not you, know but then it might be
a little rough after, that right for a for a few. Weeks, ye,
Yes so, everybody have a great day in The lord
all you.
Speaker 3 (44:20):
Pictures give it to, Him, kevin.
Speaker 2 (44:23):
Keep doing.
Speaker 4 (44:24):
Shrikes and you hitters hit him where they ain't you
know who the first person to say that, was you
know where that came. From, uh that's a good.
Speaker 3 (44:37):
GUESS i like. That but it was even before.
Speaker 4 (44:39):
That We Willie keeler got. It he told US i
was watching a documentary on The hall Of fame with
narrated By Bob, costas and that's on his. PLAQUE i
hit him where they ain't.
Speaker 2 (44:53):
There you go, simple keep it.
Speaker 4 (44:56):
Simple we'll See we'll see you all next.
Speaker 3 (45:00):
Time m
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Law & Order: Criminal Justice System - Season 1 & Season 2
Season Two Out Now! Law & Order: Criminal Justice System tells the real stories behind the landmark cases that have shaped how the most dangerous and influential criminals in America are prosecuted. In its second season, the series tackles the threat of terrorism in the United States. From the rise of extremist political groups in the 60s to domestic lone wolves in the modern day, we explore how organizations like the FBI and Joint Terrorism Take Force have evolved to fight back against a multitude of terrorist threats.