Recruiting Roundup; 9-26-17

September 26, 2017

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

Recruiting continues to move at a fast clip as we move closer to the early signing period for 2018 graduates. The underclassmen moves at a slower pace but there is still plenty of movement to keep up with.

2018

Garrett Dennis C/RHP committed to Connors State College, he played a role in helping Watson Chapel secure a 5A South conference title in the spring. He had a sound summer playing for the Arkansas Prospects, and picked up this fall with Sticks Baseball Academy. He showed well at our unsigned senior games in August. Below is our scouting report from this event.

Dennis is a 5-foot-10 180-pound athlete with an athletic frame and an average build. He is an intriguing prospect due to his versatility. On the mound he pitches off his fastball, which works 81-84 mph with two solid secondary pitches. As an infielder he plays through the baseball with normal footwork and exchange. He throws the baseball accurately with carry. Behind the plate he uses an athletic stance, he maintains proper glove angles and receives quietly. Offensively he starts from an athletic stance, he uses a leg lift as his load stride combination. He attacks the baseball with fast bat speed and an uphill swing. He uses rushed rhythm which causes a variation in swing mechanics. Overall Dennis is a versatile player with upside as he settles into one position.

Jake Melton, OF committed to Arkansas Baptist College. Melton has shown to be a solid defender in centerfield and consistent offensive threat with a line drive swing. He played well for Southside in the spring, and had a solid summer with Sportsman Baseball in the summer. I was able to see him in the fall with Fort Smith Baseball Academy, in our campus series.

Melton is a 6-foot 170-pound outfielder with an athletic frame and build. Defensively he plays through the baseball with normal footwork, he uses a normal exchange and throws from a H 3/4 slot with carry and accuracy. Offensively he swings advanced bat speed and a line drive swing. He swings with great intent on a consistent basis. Overall a well rounded player, with a feel to hit.

Chris Willard, MIF committed to Ouachita Baptist University. A long defender, was a key piece of the puzzle for the Nashville Scrappers last spring as they won the 4A State Championship. He played for the Texarkana Junior Legion through the summer and is playing with Sticks Baseball Academy this fall, another player from the Unsigned Senior Games in August.

Willard is a 6-foot-2 165-pound infielder with a large frame and an athletic build. He runs a 6.97 in the 60. Defensively he plays through the baseball with fluid footwork and normal actions. He uses a smooth transition, he throws from a short arm action, with velocity of 77 mph. Offensively he starts from an open stance, he uses a leg lift as his load stride combination. He attacks the baseball with a line drive swing, which he has shown the ability to hit balls to all fields. Overall Willard is a projectable athlete with a feel to hit.

2019

Brandon Ulmer, OF committed to Arkansas State University. Ulmer has been a integral piece for the Booneville Bearcats, as in 2016 they finished as 3A State Runner Up and in 2017 they won the 4A North Region. In the summer Ulmer played for Sticks Baseball Academy. In the fall he is a dual threat quarterback for Booneville, and they are off to a 3-1 start. Last summer Ulmer attended the Top Prospects Games, hosted at Fayetteville High School below is the scouting report from that event.

Ulmer is a 5-foot-10 165-pound outfielder with an athletic frame and build. He runs a 6.65 in the 60. Offensively he is a left-handed hitter which starts from an athletic stance. He uses a simple load stride combination. He attacks the baseball with a line drive swing that remains in the hit zone for an extended period of time. He produces exit velocities up to 85 mph. Defensively he is a sound defender, with advanced instincts on balls off the bat. He plays through the baseball with fluid footwork. He uses a normal exchange and throws the baseball 86 mph accurately from the outfield. Overall Ulmer is solid defender with a strong arm and shows a feel to hit.

2020

Luke Pectol, 1B committed to the University of Kentucky. Pectol was a bright spot for Robinson High School as an advanced left-handed hitter, they challenged for a state tournament berth. In the summer and fall he plays for the Arkansas Prospects. He had a strong showing at Battle of the Borders at the beginning of the month sparking interest from several schools in power 5 conferences. He also attended our Top Prospects Games in June and below is the report.

Pectol is a 6-foot-1 170-pound corner infielder with a large frame and an athletic build. He played through the baseball with fluid footwork, a normal exchange and loose arm action from a H ¾ arm slot. He throws the baseball 80 mph across the infield. Offensively he hits from the left-side, he starts from a tall stance, he uses a simply load stride combination, he attacks the baseball with fast bat speed and an uphill swing. He produces exit velocity up to 96 mph. He maintains leverage throughout his swing and shows and advanced feel for the barrel. Overall Pectol is a projectable athlete with advanced feel to hit.

Recruiting Roundup; 9-26-17

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