Early Signing Period: Harding University

November 17, 2015

By Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

The early signing period began last Wednesday. Players from all corners of the state have been having their signing ceremonies and making their college choice official. Here is a look at the signees for Harding University.

2016 C, J. Paul Fullerton, Harding Academy
Fullerton is a 6-foot-1 185-pound left-handed hitting catcher with a large frame and an average build. Fullerton threw a 1.93-2.01 during the pro-style work out. He has a strong accurate arm with carry, he would benefit from staying online through the plate instead of working around the plate, but overall a solid defender. Offensively he starts from an open stance diving back into the plate, he does get back on line, and works through the ball with a downhill bat path. His swing mechanically is sound, I would like to see him take a bug guys approach and let the bat go a little more. Right now his approach is to be consistent singles hitter. Overall Fullerton is an advanced catch and throw guy with good instincts and leadership capabilities. He is short offensively to be considered a college ready hitter.

2016 OF, Noah Holt, Harding Academy
Holt is 5-foot-9 200-pound OF with a medium frame and a physical build. Offensively Holt is an impressive left-handed hitter. He attacks the baseball with fast bat speed producing exit velocities of over 85 mph on a consistent basis. Defensively he makes good read on balls in the air and has a quick delivery to an accurate arm. Athletically he runs a 7.19 in the 60, but has shown first step quickness.

2016 RHP, Alex Shurtleff, Bryant High School
Shurtleff is a 6-foot-2 170-pound right-hander with an athletic frame and a thin build. He pitches from an H ¾ arm slot with a quick arm. He does a sound job repeating his delivery. Mechanically he works from a tall and fall balance point and his arm drags behind at times. He does get extended to the plate consistently. He commands the strike zone with three pitches a fastball 83-86 mph a solid breaking ball thrown with near fastball arm speed and change up with arm side run. Overall Shurtleff has advanced pitch ability he should throw harder as he adds strength.

2016 RHP, Austin Allen, Searcy High School
Allen is a 6-foot-2 170-pound right-hander with an athletic frame and a thin build. He works from an H ¾ arm slot with a quick clean arm. He pounded the strike with a fastball of 83-86 mph, the fastball had late life when it was down in the zone, as he elevated it, the fastball would flatten out which lead to surrendering some hits. He located two different secondary pitches, a curveball and changeup at times that allowed him to keep hitters off balance. Overall if Allen can add strength he will be an intriguing prospect moving forward, for several levels of collegiate baseball.

2016 C, Brody Ninemire, Viola High School
Nimemire is 5-foot-9 170-pound catcher with an athletic frame and build. He is an advanced offensive player with fast bat speed and good balance. He attacks the baseball with a line drive swing and has an advanced feel for the barrel allowing him to have double power to both gaps. Defensively he shows good footwork and lateral movement behind the plate. He shows an accurate arm to with carry. Overall Ninemire is a good athlete with bat speed.

2016 OF, Sage White, Rogers High School
White is a 5-foot-11 180-pound outfielder with an athletic frame and a physical build. He runs a 6.93 in the 60. Defensively he shows good instincts making sound reads on balls in the air. He plays though the baseball with fluid footwork and exchange. He has an accurate arm with velocity 79 mph. Offensively he attacks the baseball with an uphill swing that drives the ball to all fields. He produces exit velocity of 83 mph. Overall White is a solid player with an advanced baseball IQ, he should transition quickly to the collegiate game.

2016 MIF Luke Van Dover, Little Rock Christian Academy
Van Dover is a 5-foot-9 155-pound middle infielder with a medium frame and an athletic build. He stands out with his play at short stop. He has good first step quickness and plays through the ball with fluid foot work. He has solid infield actions receiving the ball with soft hands. He uses a quick exchange and accurate arm. He threw the ball 75 mph across the infield at the Top Prospects Games. Offensively he has a short compact swing that allows him to spray the ball to all fields. He produces exit velocity up to 82 mph. Overall Van Dover is one of the best defensive players in the class, as he add strength his offensive game should improve as well.

2016 RHP Cade Cambell, McCrory High School
Cambell is a 6-foot 175-pound right-hander with an athletic build and frame. He uses a quick clean arm to pound the strike zone with a fastball 86-88 mph with late sink. He compliments that with a sharp slider thrown 75-77 mph with late movement. He repeats his delivery and stays in rhythm throughout. Overall Cambell is a polished right-hander with advanced arm strength.