Arkansas Insider: 2017 Middle Infielders

December 15, 2015

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

Here is a look at five middle infielders from the 2017 class that are uncommitted.

2017 Kolby Reck, MIF, Conway HS
Reck is a 5-foot-9 170-pound middle infielder with an athletic frame and build. He impressed offensively during the All-State games. He starts from an athletic stance, he attacks the baseball with fast bat speed and slight uphill swing. He maintains balance through extension and does a sound job incorporating the lower half into his swing. He registered 89 mph during exit velocity testing. Defensively he plays through the ball with fluid footwork. He has a smooth exchange with a loose arm. He threw the ball up to 78 mph across the infield with accuracy. Athletically he is an above average runner. Overall Reck is a well-rounded player with feel for the barrel which separates him from many of the infielders in the 2017 class

2017 Hayes Cox MIF/RHP, Fayetteville HS
Hayes Cox is a 5-foot-10 170-pound infielder/right-handed pitcher with a medium frame and an athletic build. He is a very skilled player at all phases of the game. He plays through the baseball defensively with fluid footwork and a quick exchange. He shows an accurate arm at 84 mph across the infield. Offensively he has a compact swing that allows him to hit the ball to all fields. He produces exit velocity of 81 mph. On the mound he understands how to pitch locating three pitches for a strike. His fastball 80-83 mph with late movement. He has a feel for the strike zone with his curveball 72-74 mph and a change up 69-71 mph. Overall Cox has an advanced understanding of the game, he will continue to improve as he gets physically stronger and more athletic.

2017 Blake McCutchen MIF, Cabot HS
McCutchen is a 5-foot-10 165-pound middle infielder with an athletic frame and build. He plays through the baseball with fluid footwork and soft hands. He throws the ball 79 mph across the infield with accuracy. His arm action is short and his exchange is quick. Offensively, he starts from a slightly open stance, he dives into the plate with a large leg kick. He uses part of his backside but loses them as he comes up out of his swing, quickly. He attacks the baseball with a fast bat speed with a slight uphill swing. He produces exit velocities of 83 mph. Overall McCutchen is a solid defender with above average range and a quick exchange. He should find a spot on a college roster as he continues to mature physically.

2017 Zac Freeman, MIF North Little Rock HS
Freeman is a 5-foot-11 155-pound middle infielder with an athletic frame and thin build. He impresses defensively with above average lateral movement and overall defensive range. He plays through the baseball with smooth footwork. He has a fluid exchange with a short arm action. He throws the ball accurately across the infield at 75 mph. Offensively he starts from a tall stance with minimum load. He attacks the baseball with a compact line drive swing. He has shown the ability to hit the ball to all fields. Overall Freeman is an advanced high school middle infielder, the area he is lacking is physical strength as this improves look for his overall game to improve as well.

2017 Cooper Van Kooten, MIF/RHP Greenwood HS
Van Kooten is a 6-foot 170-pound middle infielder with a large frame and an athletic build. He shows good infield actions and plays through the baseball. He throws the ball 82 mph across the infield with a loose arm from a high ¾ arm slot. Offensively he attacks the baseball with a line drive swing. He maintains rhythm and balance through extension. He has a feel for his barrel and keeps it in the hit zone for an extended period of time. Overall Van Kooten is a solid player who has shown improvement every time I have seen him play, if that continues he will be a solid collegiate player.