Caden Bogenpohl took a leap of faith that reshaped his career. Out of high school, Missouri State was the only program to offer the Jackson, Mississippi, native a scholarship, recruiting him as a two-way player who envisioned himself on the mound.
Once immersed in a college development system built to elevate hitters, Bogenpohl’s bat quickly took over, transforming him from an under-the-radar recruit into one of college baseball’s top bats and a potential first- or second-round pick in July’s MLB draft.
“When I committed, I really loved what Hawk’s (coach Joey Hawkins) philosophy was with the bat, and I have trusted and believed in the system and the philosophy since Day 1,” Bogenpohl said. “When you really buy into the program, you really see yourself grow at a fast rate. That’s where I see myself today.
“I’ve come a long way, and it pays dividends to put in hard work and allow yourself to be coachable and hear them out. They got a great system here. We produce tons and tons of hitters. It was a perfect school for me to come and showcase my talent.”
Bogenpohl has made an immediate impact since joining Missouri State. He posted one of the best freshman seasons in school history, hitting .293 with 20 home runs and 45 RBIs, breaking former MLB star Ryan Howard’s record of 19 homers by an MSU freshman in 1999.
Bogenpohl continued his production as a sophomore, batting leadoff and patrolling center field for most of the season, hitting .296 with 13 home runs and 44 RBIs. He also tied a school record with 55 walks, showcasing his plate discipline.
Missouri State has a history of producing big-league talent, including batting champion Bill Mueller, home run leaders Ryan Howard and Luke Voit, and Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin. Now the Bears feature one of the top power hitters in the 2026 draft in Bogenpohl, who has already left his mark on the program’s record books.
“It was a crazy, surreal moment for sure,” Bogenpohl said about breaking Howard’s record. “When you pass up a dude like that, an NL MVP and the career he had in the big leagues, it’s cool because that’s obviously the end goal. I got to talk to him on the phone for a bit that summer. So it was super cool.
“Coming from a program like this, where a lot of players have gone on to have professional careers, is a really cool experience.”
Bogenpohl, a 6-foot-6, 245-pound outfielder, combines impressive raw power with a disciplined approach at the plate. The left-handed hitter can drive the ball to all parts of the field and generates jaw-dropping flyball power when he connects. A selective hitter who rarely expands the strike zone, he has the potential to change a game with a single swing.
As he continues to mature, scouts hope to see continued improvement in his contact hitting.
“My calling card has always been my power,” he said. “This offseason, I have worked on just becoming the most complete hitter I can be, and really just using all fields and making sure I’m getting myself in the best position for any situation.”
Defensively, Bogenpohl has experience playing all three outfield positions, spending most of his collegiate career in center field. He is a quality athlete with solid speed and well-above-average arm strength. He has a chance to stick in center field long term but might profile best in a corner outfield spot.
“Every year I’m getting more and more comfortable out there,” Bogenpohl said. “It’s really tapping into all my tools, and the IQ part of the game too. It’s a lot of fun out there. I think it’s my most comfortable position is playing in the outfield.”
Missouri State enters its first season in Conference USA with hopes of reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022. Bogenpohl will play a key role in anchoring the Bears’ lineup as they pursue a return to the postseason.
The Bears have a strong tradition as a competitive mid-major program, winning three NCAA Tournament regionals (2003, 2015, 2017) and advancing to the College World Series in 2003.
“We got some key returners coming back to the mound and in the lineup,” Bogenpohl said. “So that always helps as well. Then, when you mix in a couple of top-end transfers, it makes it a whole lot easier. We are moving into a really good conference, and I think it’s just going to be a lot of fun. It’s going to be a good ride with this team to see what we can accomplish and do together.”
Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for 11 years. He has interviewed 613 of the top draft prospects in that period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com, The Arizona Republic and The Dallas Morning News, have quoted his work, while he has appeared on radio stations as an “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
