Jackson High School senior baseball standout Caden Bogenpohl is a unique talent, which is obvious to any trained eye that observes his talents in the field, on the mound, or at the plate.
That is precisely why Cape Catfish General Manager Mark Hogan has taken a new approach this summer to building his 2023 roster, by signing Bogenpohl to a season-long contract.
“We have had some temporary players coming out of high school, who had just graduated,” Hogan explained, “but we actually have five guys this year, who are high school players that are coming out, and it started with (Jackson High School standout Caden Bogenpohl).”
Bogenpohl has been a key part of the Indians’ success, not just this year, but throughout his high school career.
The Class 6 No. 8-ranked Indians (21-6) will play for the SEMO Conference Tournament championship tonight at Capaha Field at 5:45 p.m. against Class 4 No. 2-ranked Kennett (16-7).
The two teams met recently and Bogenpohl was overpowering in striking out 11 Kennett batters in the 8-4 win.
“Caden brings a lot of things to the diamond,” Jackson coach Josh Roach said of Bogenpohl. “I don’t know who wouldn’t be interested in having him.”
The feeling was mutual, according to Bogenpohl, after the Catfish reached out to him.
“The past few summers,” Bogenpohl said, “I went to a lot of (Catfish) games, and it seemed like a really fun environment. It seemed really cool.
“When I got the opportunity to play for them, I was in 100 percent.”
The deal had its origins in the Missouri State University (where Bogenpohl will play in the fall) coaching staff contacting Hogan.
Bears coach Keith Guttin had signed Bogenpohl, along with Logan-Rogersville High School player, Curry Sutherland, and he spoke with Hogan about having the two play this summer for the Catfish.
“I’ve been friends with (Guttin) forever,” Hogan said, “and he said that he had signed ‘Two outstanding high school boys and I’d really like for you to give them a look.’”
Hogan did just that, and he liked what he saw from a talent perspective, as well as a physical viewpoint.
Sutherland is a 6-foot-4, 210-pound third baseman, while Bogenpohl is a 6-foot-5, 230-pound (projected) first baseman.
“They are both very physically blessed,” Hogan said.
Guttin said both players have potential as both pitchers and hitters.
“They can do both,” Hogan said. “They are exciting guys.”
Bogenpohl isn’t just a lumbering big guy on the diamond, which will lead to first-year Cape manager Scott Little having to figure out all of the ways that he can utilize the athlete.
“Caden leads us in stolen bases,” Roach said.
For Bogenpohl, he has spent the past summers playing high-level competition, and he is “excited” about testing himself against college-aged players, some of whom currently compete in the Southeastern Conference.
“It’s going to be a fun summer playing against all of those college guys and getting ready for college, and maybe the (Major League Baseball) Draft.”
You read that last part correctly.
Entering this spring, Bogenpohl is the second-ranked outfielder in Missouri and the No. 17 overall player, which makes him a legitimate MLB Draft prospect.
“He can do it on both sides (of the diamond),” Roach said. “He’s fantastic on the mound, a high-velocity guy, who has turned into a really, really good pitcher. Offensively, he is just a special talent. He hits the ball all over the place, and has power to all parts of the field.
“And he is a fantastic base runner. He is incredibly smart on the bases and is very fast.”
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