By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

Yesterday we hosted the South Arkansas Prospect Identification Showcase, at Ouachita Baptist University. The showcase had 24 players in attendance, there were some impressive performances. Below is a breakdown of the top players at each position.

Pitchers

Tanner Vaught, 2016, RHP, Horatio HS
Vaught is a 6-foot, 185-pound right-hander with a large-frame and a physical build. He pitches from an H ¾ arm slot with a short arm action that has some stiffness in it. He repeats his mechanics and rhythm allowing him to throw strikes on a consistent basis. He located his fastball at 83-86 mph with slight sink. His changeup is a quality secondary pitch thrown with near fastball arm speed 79 mph and arm side run. His curveball was located for strikes but lacked consistent shape and depth. Overall Vaught is a physical strike thrower with some arm strength, he would benefit from lengthening his arm circle.  This would allow him to throw harder and give him time to execute a breaking ball.

Carter Wade, 2016, LHP, Little Rock Christian Academy
Wade is a 5-foot-11 165-pound left-hander with a medium frame and an athletic build. He controlled his fastball in the bottom half of the strike zone at 78-81 mph. He threw a curveball with 2/8 shape and gradual break at 63-65 mph. He completed his display of advanced pitchabilty by locating his changeup at 71-72 mph. He is able to throw strikes by repeating his rhythm and mechanics. I believe he could throw harder if he would slow down his rhythm and find a distinct balance point. He works from an H ¾ arm slot with a clean arm action.

Catchers

Greyson Pinkett, 2016, C, Conway HS
Pinkett is a 6-foot 175-pound catcher with a medium frame and athletic build. Defensively he starts with an athletic stance, and maintains proper arm angles while receiving the baseball quietly. He threw a 1.97, 1.97 and 2.03 pop times, working through home plate, with a quick exchange. Offensively he produced exit velocities up to 86 mph. His swing is a compact line drive swing that allowed him to keep the bat in the strike zone for a long time and hit the ball to all fields. He ran a 7.21 in the 60. Overall Pinkett is a solid catcher with enough offensive aptitude to play at the next level.

Erick Aguirre, 2016, C Lakeside HS
Aguirre is a 5-foot-11 165-pound catcher with a medium frame and an athletic build. He showed a quick exchange and an accurate throwing pop times of 2.02, 2.03 and 2.06. Defensively he receives from an athletic stance and receives the ball deep with proper arm angles. Offensively he produced exit velocities up to 84 mph with a slight uphill bat path and a swing that had some length. He ran a 7.28 in the 60. Overall Aguire is a solid catcher that would benefit from adding strength as this happens all phases of his game will improve.

Infielders

Kade Stuart, 2018, CIF, Lonoke HS
Stuart is a 6-foot-1 155 CIF with a large frame and an athletic build. He showed plus athleticism for his age running a 6.97 in the 60. Defensively he worked through the baseball with soft hands. He had a fluid exchange and showed arm strength up to 82 mph. Offensively, he attacked the baseball fast bat speed, with exit velocity up to 84 mph. His swing is somewhat rotational with an uphill bat path. He did a good job driving balls to the pull side. Overall a solid young player showing above average tools in all areas.

Harrison Rutledge, 2016, MIF, Maumelle HS
Rutledge is a 6-foot, 165 pound MIF/OF with a medium frame and a thin build. He flashed solid athleticism during the defensive evaluation with fluid footwork as he played through the baseball with raw actions. He has a quick exchange and velocity up to 79 mph. Offensively, he produced exit velocities up to 83 mph. He would benefit for cleaning up some timing issues with a disconnected lower half. He showed a good feel for the barrel squaring balls up with pure athleticism. He did a good job staying balanced throughout his wing. Overall Rutledge is a good athlete with raw tools, as he continues to refine his tools and add strength he will be a solid collegiate player.

Outfielders

Thomas Broyles, 2016, OF, Fayetteville HS
Broyles is a 6-foot-1 185-pound outfielder with a medium frame and a physical build. He was the most impressive prospect in the showcase leading in every measurable tools. He ran a 6.59 in the 60, threw 86 mph from the outfield and produced exit speeds up to 91 mph. Defensively he plays through the baseball with a fluid exchange and an accurate arm with carry. Offensively he attacks the ball with fast bat speed and compact slight uphill bat path. He maintained balance and through extension. Overall Broyles is a very talented player and is ready to compete at the collegiate level.

Pierce Mitchum, 2017, OF, Heber Springs HS
Mitchum is a 5-foot-9 160-pound outfielder with a medium frame and physical build. He played threw the baseball with a fluid exchange and an accurate arm. He registered up to 79 mph throwing from the outfield. Offensively he has a short lined drive swing with fast bat speed. He produced exit velocity up to 89 mph. Mitchum is a premium athlete running a 6.59 and the 60. As he continues to develop Mithcum should turn into one of the better prospects in the 2017 class. 

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