By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Prospects

The 2016 Fall Prospect League kicked off Sunday on the campus of Henderson State University. This week saw 4 teams compete in two games apiece. The day had a little bit of everything, a rain delay, an injury delay, some good baseball, some poor baseball. As a scout it was a great opportunity to see a lot of different  players from several graduating classes.

Game 1: Extra Innings Sticks 6 vs. Arkansas Prospects (Hesley) 5

2017 RHP Kaden Tollett pitched a 4 innings allowing 1 earned run on 3 hits, while striking out 4, to pick the win.

Offensively  the Sticks were lead by 2017 OF Bryson Haskins.  Haskins scored 2 runs recording 2 hits on the day.

2018 RHP Braydon Todd pitched for the Arkansas Prospects, he impressed with a quick arm locating his fastball 83-84 mph , he struck out 5 in 3 innings of work.

2018 C Dezmond Cordova and 2019 Deshawn Cordova both hit doubles for the prospects and recorded an RBI.

Overall the game came down to who made the last mistake in a rain soaked and injury delayed game which made focus a difficult task for players.

Game 2:  Little Rock Rockets 5 vs. PBR Select 4

The rain subsided half way through game one,  and things dried out for the rest  of the day. PBR Select took advantage of miscues by the Little Rock Rockets to jump out to a 4-0 lead after three innings of play.

2017 INF Cody Hogg started the comeback with two out single that drove in 2 runs, to cut the lead to 4-2. The Rockets tacked on a run in the 5th taking advantage of miscues.  They completed the comeback in the 6th when they pushed across two runs, 2019 INF Josh Dawson got things going offensively with a single, and a stolen base. 2018 OF Blake Burney walked and worked his way around to score.

The offense was able to make the comeback as their pitching staff settled in. 2019 LHP Lawson Tiffee settled in after a rough first keeping the hitters at bay only allowing an unearned run in the third while striking out three. He was relieved by 2020 RHP Luke Hindman, he pitched 3 inning recording 6 strike outs. He pitched 70-72 mph with his fastball and located a curveball 64-66 mph with late action.

Game 3: Arkansas Prospects (Hesley) 11 vs. Little Rock Rockets 4

Arkansas Prospects banged out 9 hits including 5 extra base hits to defeat the Little Rockets 11-4.

They were led offensively by 2018 OF Gabriel Hesley who was 1 for 2 with a triple and 3 RBIs while scoring a run.

On the mound their pitchers poured strikes in the strike zone making the Rockets beat them with barrel.

2019 RHP Cody Bonds picked up the win pitching 2 innings  allowing no runs, no hits, and striking out 1. His fastball worked 72-76 mph with arm side run.

Game 4: Extra Innings Sticks 12 vs. PBR Select 0

The Extra Innings Sticks had 9 hits to score 12 runs and take care of business against PBR Select.

Offensively they were led by 2017 OF/INF Matt Goodheart. Goodheart recorded 3 hits including 2 triples and a double scoring 3 runs and recording 3 RBIs. Goodheart displayed an advanced approach executing his plan at the plate on all 4 at bats. His two triples were balls that he drove to the opposite field gap.

2017 RHP Preston Pope pitched the first two innings, he efficiently pitched to the strike zone with two pitches allowing just  one hit while striking out 2. He was relieved by 2020 RHP Cason Brigham, he pitched 2 2/3 innings allowing just 1 hit striking out 2. He showed an advanced feel  to pitch for a young player.  The final out was recorded by 2017 RHP Colby Atkins who recorded a strike out on 3 pitches a fastball 87 mph, fastball 89 mph and fastball 92 mp.

PBR Select stand outs included 2019 OF Timmy Stewart who recorded a hit in 2nd and strung together good at bats the remainder of the game.

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