Missouri's best high school baseball players: Meet the state's top second basemen
By Cody Thorn
Our look at top baseball players in the state of Missouri continues in the infield, this time looking at second basemen. We have posted lists on catchers, right-handed pitchers, left-handed pitchers and first basemen. This list is presented in alphabetical order.
There are hundreds of outstanding players in the Show-Me State, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. Tag us on Twitter @SBLiveMiz and let us know about other athletes worthy of fans’ attention.
Donovan Bohler, Sr., St. John Vianney
Earlier this year, the second baseman/outfielder went 3-for-3 with 3 RBIs from the No. 9-spot in the lineup to lift his team to a tournament title at Mehlville. Bohler is hitting .317 with a .451 on-base percentage. The Westminster College signee also runs a 6.74 60-yard dash.
Jeffrey Chitwood, Jr., Valley Park
There may not be a hotter hitter in the state than the Class 3 player from the St. Louis area. The junior has 23 RBIs, scored 25 runs, had six triples, smacked a pair of home runs and has a .580 average, according to team stats provided to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Connor Earlywine, Sr., Jefferson City
The left-handed hitting Earlwywine was an all-state pick last year for the Jays. He has been a Rawlings/Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-American twice and was a Preseason All-American and Top 500 ranked player this spring. Earlywine has speed – 6.53 60-yard dash – and had an average exit velocity of 88.8 mph this past summer with a peak of 93.3 mph. The son of former Missouri softball coach Ehren Earlywine is a Jefferson College signee.
Christopher Kemp, Sr., Park Hill
Kemp moved into a starting role this year after backing up current Newman second baseman Jack Kiser. Kemp has come up with big hits for the Trojans, including a double that helped cap a rally against rival Park Hill South. The right-handed hitter and pitcher has a recorded exit velocity of 87 miles per hour with his bat. He has signed with Division II Drury.
Luke Matschiner, Sr., Christian Brothers College
Matschiner is another Drury signee. He has a .423 on-base percentage for the Cadets. He has scored 21 hits and had 18 hits, while going 9 for 11 on stolen base attempts. Helped CBC reach the Class 6 semifinals last year.
Clay Palen, Sr., Logan-Rogersville
A super utility-type player, Palen can play almost every infield position, outfield and even catch a little. As a No. 2-hole hitter for the Wildcats last year, he hit .286 and had an on-base percentage of .496. This year, he has upped his average to .310 and is still getting on base a lot. He has signed with Missouri Baptist.
Cody Pogue, Sr., Bowling Green
He was a player who picked up notice during his play for Grind Baseball Academy in the summer, picking up his first offer in July and had three before this school year started. The right-handed hitter had a penchant for doubles and had speed on the bases as well. He has signed with Division II Quincy.
Vince Ray, Sr., Rockhurst
The No. 9-hitter for the Hawklets, Ray has a small frame at 5-8, 150 pounds but has ability to get on base often. Ray has a time of 7.34 seconds in the 60-yard dash. He has signed with Wabash Valley Junior College in Mount Carmel, Ill. – currently No. 2 in the NJCAA rankings.
Jackson Truman, Sr., Lee’s Summit West
The starting second baseman for the Titans has a name fitting for a Kansas City player – Jackson is the county Kansas City is mostly located and Truman, well, that one should be easy to figure out. However, he will be playing college ball across the state line at Division II Emporia State. Truman, who plays summer ball for Mac-n-Seitz, has improved his time from home to first in the past three years from 4.63 seconds to 4.51 to 4.43 this year.
Chase Wilcox, Sr., St. Pius X (Kansas City)
Wilcox is a talented athlete who scored his 1,000th career point in basketball earlier this year. The 6-foot, 180-pounder is a left-handed hitter and a key cog for the Warriors, ranked No. 6 in Class 4. He is one of four seniors on his team headed to college to play baseball. Wilcox has signed with Division II power Central Missouri.
Ty Wisdom, Jr., Liberty North
The Kansas commit has a big-time bat and also a very talented pitcher for the Eagles, ranked No. 2 in Class 6. In one of the biggest games this year, Wisdom went 4-for-4 with 3 RBIs and hit a two-run home run to help knock off Liberty, the defending Class 6 champions. Attended the Jr. National Showcase last year.
Cole Vance, Sr., Wentzville Liberty
The right-handed hitter has a .395 on-base percentage for the Eagles, from Lake St. Louis, thanks to drawing a team-high 15 walks. He is also a perfect 9-for-9 in stolen base attempts. Vance has signed with East Central Community College in Union.
Landon Willbrand, Sr., Wentzville Timberland
He is second on the Wolves with a .333 batting average and has an on-base percentage of .457. The leadoff hitter has drawn 13 walks and has been hit by a pitch four times. He has signed with nearby Lindenwood, which is making the transition from Division II to Division I.
Ian Wolff, Sr., Wright City
The second/third baseman was selected to play in the Prep Baseball Report Futures Game in 2020. According to Trackman, he has an average exit velocity of 80.4 mph but has peaked at 93.9 mph. He is ranked No. 31 in the Class of 2022 in Missouri according to Prep Baseball Report. He has signed with Black Hawk Junior College in Moline, Ill.
