2017 Rankings Breakdown: Right-Handed Hitters

February 11, 2017

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

After a busy winter we have released updated 2017 rankings. As the week moves forward we will look at the top players at each position. Today we take a look at the reports on the right-handed hitters in the 2017 class.

Casey Martin, MIF, Lonoke High School
Martin is a 5-foot-11 175-pound MIF/OF with an athletic frame and build. He is a premium athlete running a 6.65 in the 60. Defensively he is a versatile player with arm strength. He throws the ball 84 mph across the infield and 88 mph from the outfield. Offensively he starts from an athletic stance with a smooth load. He has fast bat speed with a slight uphill swing path. He has shown the ability to hit the ball to all fields and has flashed some pull power. Overall Martin has shown a 5 tool player that needs to continue to refine his game.

Martin is the top ranked player in the 2017 rankings and is committed to the University of Arkansas.

Paxton Wallace, CIF/RHP, Greenbrier High School
Wallace is a 6-foot 200-pound with a large frame and a physical build. Offensively he starts from an athletic stance, he transitions with a smooth load. Once he gets loaded he attacks the baseball with fast bat speed, with a slight uphill bat path. He does a good job maintain balance through extension. Wallace has advanced bat speed and strength generating exit velocity up to 100 mph. Defensively he does a sound job at first base with some stiffness to his actions. He runs a 6.95 in the 60. He impresses on the mound showing advanced arm strength working 86-89 mph with the ability to reach up to 91 mph. He also locates a curveball thrown 76-78 mph with late action and change up thrown with fastball arm speed. He repeats his simple delivery consistently. Overall Wallace is a legitimate prospect as a position player or as a pitcher.

Wallace is the 2^nd ranked player in the 2017 rankings and is committed to Wichita State University.

Evan Hooper, OF, Cabot High School
Hooper is a 5-foot-11 175-pound OF/RHP with a wide shoulders and an athletic build. Defensively he is sound with the ability to defend gap-to-gap due to his overall sped. He runs a 6.34 in the 60. He has a short arm action that is accurate with carry at 85 mph. offensively he has a line drive swing with fast bat speed. He produces exit velocity up to 95 mph. He repeats his mechanics and stays balanced through extension. Overall Hooper is a rare athlete with a ton of tools, over time he should develop more offensively finding barrel on a more consistent basis.

Hooper is the 5^th ranked player in the 2017 rankings and is committed to the University of Arkansas.

Logan Easley, INF, Heritage High School
Logan Easley, is a 6-foot, 175-pound INF/RHP with a medium frame and an athletic frame. He runs a 7.15 in the 60 and throws 81 mph across the infield. He has plays through the ball defensively and has a quick exchange. Offensively he starts from a slightly open stance with a smooth load. He has fast bat speed generating exit velocity of 91 mph, with a short compact swing with a slight uphill swing plane. Easley does a good job maintaining balance through extension. He is going to be a player to watch over the three season of high school baseball with several above average tools.

Easley is the 6^th ranked player in the 2017 rankings and is committed to Wichita State University.

Cameron Tissue, INF, Catholic High School
Tissue is a 6-foot 165-pound middle infielder with an athletic frame and build. Defensively he plays through the baseball with fluid footwork, soft hands and a smooth exchange. He throws the ball 80 mph across the infield with accuracy. He throws with a short quick arm. Offensively is where Tissue separates himself, He attacks the baseball with fast bat speed with a line drive swing. He starts from an athletic stance, he has a smooth load and a short stride, and he has shown an advanced feel for the barrel with his line drive swing. Overall Tissue is a well-rounded player with and advanced offensive player, I think he will transition to third or second at the college level but he has the hands to compete at short stop.

Tissue is the 12^th ranked player in the 2017 rankings and is committed to the University of Central Arkansas.