By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

Digging into the 45 players that have committed, and looking at the remaining players on the board. The 2017 class still has a solid core of players that will impact collegiate rosters, in the near future. Here is a look at five players that are flying under the radar.

Mckinley Williams, OF/C, Sheridan HS
Williams has a large frame and physical build at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds. He is a solid athlete running a 6.8 in the 60. He plays multiple positions and is serviceable behind the plate, but projects for me as an outfielder. He plays through the baseball with fluid footwork, uses a smooth exchange and throws with a short arm action. Offensively starts from an athletic stance, he uses a minimum load stride, he drops his hands and uses an uphill swing with a fast bat speed. Overall Williams is a physical player with the ability to hit for power to the pull side.  

Beau Burson, RHP, Smackover HS
Burson is a 6-foot 160-pound RHP with an athletic frame and build. He pitches from a 3/4 arm slot with a quick arm action. He repeats his mechanics quickly using a rushed rhythm and a tall finish. His fastball works 81-8 with slight run. He compliments his fastball with a 12/6 curveball  with late break throw 68-70 mph. Overall Burson is a projectable athlete with a quick arm and a feel for two pitches.

Caleb Horton, INF/OF Lonoke HS
Horton is a 5-foot-9 140-pound middle infielder with an athletic frame and build. He plays through the baseball with rushed footwork and solid actions. He uses a normal exchange with short arm action from a H ¾ arm slot. He throws the baseball accurately across the infield. Offensivley he starts from an athletic stance with a simple load and stride. He attacks the baseball with a slight uphill swing with rotation. He maintains balance through out contact. Overall Horton is solid player that competes at a high level.

Zachary Douglas, INF, Sylvan Hills HS
Douglas is a 6-foot, 170-pounds athletic frame and build. He is a versatile infielder with the ability to play 2nd 3rd and Short Stop. He plays through the baseball with fluid footwork, and a normal exchange. He throws the baseball accurately across the infield from a H 3/4 arm slot with a short arm action. Offensively he starts from an athletic stance, with a minimum load and stride, he attacks the baseball with a line drive swing and fast bat speed. He consistently produces line drives to all fields. Overall Douglas is a versatile defender with a feel for the barrel and plays with high energy.  

Preston Pope RHP, Nashville HS
Pope 5-foot-9 with an athletic frame and build. He pitches from an H ¾ arm slot with clean arm action. He has a simple delivery which is repeated consistently. He uses a distinct balance point before driving to home plate. His fastball 79-82 mph located on both sides of the plate and is complimented by a curveball thrown 69-71 mph with early break and 11/5 shape. He commands his changeup with arm side, run he did maintain arm speed for added deception. Overall Pope has advanced pitch ability and competes at a high level. 

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