With MLB Draft looming, Bogenpohl is 'anxious,' but performing well

Cape Catfish pitcher Caden Bogenpohl throws on Friday at Capaha Field against O'Fallon.

Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com

If Friday’s outing on the mound for the Cape Catfish was indeed Caden Bogenpohl’s final performance in front of his hometown crowd, then “he was phenomenal,” according to Catfish General Manager Mark Hogan.

Bogenpohl’s life and athletic career are hanging in the balance – in a great way – over the next 72 hours, as the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft opens today and runs through Tuesday.

“I’m a little anxious,” Bogenpohl said of the possibility of being selected to play professionally. “It’s totally new to me. I have never been in a situation like this.”

Very few baseball players have, and that is because very few players have the abilities and traits that the former Jackson High School star possesses.

“Something that is interesting about him is when you stand up next to him,” Hogan said, “he is unusually physical in different ways than most guys.”

Bogenpohl, who has signed to play for Missouri State in the fall (maybe he will, maybe he won’t), is 6-foot-5 and carries 230 pounds well on his “lanky” frame, Hogan said.

“He is put together and taller,” Hogan said. “He probably isn’t taller than everybody, but he seems like he is. He’s got those big shoulders.”

Those “big shoulders” carried Cape in its 10-3 win over O’Fallon at Capaha Field on Friday.

Bogenpohl, who plays several positions in the field, as well as pitches, entered the game in the fourth inning as a reliever, with the game tied at three runs apiece.

With “some pressure” on him due to MLB scouts following his every move, he didn’t disappoint.

Bogenpohl threw four innings and gave up three hits and no earned runs while striking out nine Hoots.

It was his most dominant performance of the summer.

“If he was having any stage fright,” Hogan said, “then he answered a lot of questions.”

Bogenpohl said he speaks with his agent, Nashville-based, Gary Russo, “probably every day this week,” according to Bogenpohl.

“I’m hearing from a handful of teams,” Bogenpohl said. “The (San Diego) Padres, (Pittsburgh) Pirates, and (Milwaukee) Brewers are the most interested.”

Bogenpohl and Russo don’t expect to hear any news on Bogenpohl until Monday or Tuesday.

The first two rounds of the Draft will be today, with rounds three through 10 on Monday, and rounds 11-20 on Tuesday.

The Draft can be viewed on Monday and Tuesday beginning at 2 p.m. on MLB.com.

What Bogenpohl’s decision will be, as it regards his future, is anyone’s guess right now, including Bogenpohl.

It will depend on which team drafts him, what their plans are for him, and how much money is offered, and there is an array of factors to take into consideration.

“If the money is right,” Bogenpohl said of his decision, “I’ll probably take that. But if not, I am totally OK with going to (Missouri State).”

Hogan has been evaluating players since the 1970s and said he loves Bogenpohl, regardless of where he is on the diamond.

“It is so exciting to watch a kid with a super high level of physical ability,” Hogan said, “but he is a really good competitor (also).

“He is a gamer. He loves (baseball).”