Kaden Peer, a Chesterfield native and center fielder who spent three seasons in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) at Mizzou, is heading to Missouri State for the 2027 season.

The Bears announced Peer's commitment on Tuesday, July 28, as part of an 11-player transfer class that has Missouri State projected among the nation's top eight teams for 2027.

Peer grew up in Chesterfield and attended Christian Brothers College (CBC) High School in St. Louis before joining Mizzou. He earned a starting role as a sophomore in 2025, posting a .299 batting average with 34 runs scored and 13 stolen bases while patrolling center field.

His junior year brought even bigger moments. In a March 8 game against UIC, Peer went back-to-back-to-back with outfielders Cameron Benson and Pierre Seals, all three hitting solo home runs in a span of five pitches. He hit .455 in a series at No. 22 Tennessee. Then on May 19 against Ole Miss, he crushed a grand slam to left center that left his bat at 100.8 mph and traveled 384 feet.

After Mizzou's season ended, Peer entered the transfer portal, according to Rock M Nation.

He lands at a Missouri State program on the rise. Head coach Joey Hawkins, a former Bears player himself, signed a contract extension through 2029 in December 2025. The Bears went 34-19 in 2026 and reached the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Regional at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence, Kansas, where they faced Arkansas on May 29.

Baseball America has already placed Missouri State among its "Way Too Early Eight for Omaha" in 2027, according to Yahoo Sports, naming Peer specifically as a key addition alongside pitchers Fisher Cantrell (Jacksonville State) and Hazen Wright (New Mexico State).

Springfield TV station KOLR/KOZL reacted on X:

"The Missouri State Bears Baseball just locked down elite SEC center fielder Kaden Peer from Mizzou to patrol the outfield. Get ready for some home run robberies."

Peer will play his home games at Hammons Field in Springfield. No 2027 schedule dates have been released, but Chesterfield families can follow Missouri State baseball at missouristatebears.com for updates ahead of the season opener.