ArkLaTex Open: Sticks Baseball Preview

June 27, 2017

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

The Arklatex Open will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the campus of Louisiana Tech University. This tournament will feature Louisiana Knights and Sticks Baseball Academy. Both programs will bring three teams that will compete against each other.

For complete information on the event including schedule and pitching rotation as the week end approaches click here.

I will preview the teams from Sticks Baseball Academy, while PBR Louisiana Scouting Director Trey Sofio will preview the teams from the Louisiana Knights.

Sticks Baseball 2019

A group comprised of some the most talented players in the state of Arkansas. Their roster has 8 of the top 20 players ranked in the PBR Arkansas 2019 Rankings.

2019 LHP Zach Morris is their top prospect. The 6-foot 2 220-pound left-hander has been dominant this summer. He has used a steady two pitch mix to keep hitters off balance. Morris’s fastball works 84-86 mph with slight sink. His curveball is thrown with fastball arm speed with velocity of 72-74 mph with 1/7 shape and late break. Morris has a high ceiling with a large frame and an average build. Other names to know on the mound include 2019 RHP Zane Cox, 2019 LHP Colen Morrow, 2019 RHP J Matt Rogers and 2019 RHP Dalton Muse.

2019 OF/INF Jackson Huskey and 2019 OF Alex Cauley are two players that have the ability to sit the table for their offense. Huskey is an advanced left-hander hitter with a line drive swing and shown the ability to make loud contact on a consistent basis. 2019 C/INF John Hoskyn and 2019 C/INF William Poppy have both shown the ability to hit with projectable power. Both players have advanced strength and fast bat speed. Hoskyn has shown the ability to work both gaps, while Poppy works more to the pull side but has raw power to that side.

Sticks Baseball 2020

Sticks Baseball 2020, is a roster which is comprised of all players from the 2020 class, with players from all four corners of the state of Arkansas.

Offensively they are led by 2020 INF/OF Brayden Sites, is a versatile athlete with advanced bat speed and feel to hit. Defensively Sites has the ability to compete in the infield or in the outfield. Another name to know offensively is 2020 CIF Luke Hyndman. Hyndamn is an advanced hitter with raw bat speed and shown the ability to hit doubles to both gaps.

On the mound, this group has shown the ability to compete at a high level. 2020 RHP/MIF Keelan Hodge is a name to watch throughout the week end. Hodge pitches off his fastball which works 80-83 mph with late life through the strike zone. He complements his fastball with curveball thrown 68-71 mph. He has throws a change up 70-72 mph with some arm side run. Hodge impressively attacks the strike zone consistently for a young pitcher. Other pitchers I expect to see over the week end include, 2020 RHP Jace Presely, 2020 RHP Cason Brigham, 2020 LHP Jackson Davis, and 2020 RHP Wyatt Marshall.

In the younger age group most players are two way players; this roster is no different as most player on this roster compete as a pitcher and a position player. Two that stand out as players that the game has not separated as position player or a pitcher is 2020 LHP/OF Nick Griffin, and 2020 RHP/CIF Will Gross. Griffin pitches 80-83 mph with a quick arm, and feel to pitch. He compliments his fastball with a curveball 68-71 mph. As a position player he is an advanced athlete with a line drive swing and a feel for the barrel. Gross is a 6-foot right-hander/ corner infielder with advanced arm strength. On the mound he commands the strike zone with a fastball thrown 80-83 with slight sink. He also locates his breaking ball thrown 71-73 mph. Offensively he attacks the baseball with aggression and bat speed. He projects to hit for power as he continues to advance as a hitter.

Sticks Baseball 16U

Sticks Baseball 16U team is a combination of 2019s and 2020s from all corners of the state of Arkansas. This roster has some intriguing prospects both on the mound and a position players.

2020 CIF/OF Nick Ward is their most intriguing prospect as he has shown the ability to hit for power. In the 2017 1A State Championship Game he showed power to both gaps. Last week end at the Arkansas State Invitational he again showed advanced pull power. He is physically advanced in the strength department and attacks the baseball with fast bat speed with aggressive intent.

On the mound they will lean on 2019 RHP Mason Morgan, 2019 RHP Cole Kelly 2019 RHP/C Matthew Waymon and 2019 RHP/INF Sam West will handle the majority of the pitching for this group. Morgan is an interesting prospect as he is 6-foot-5 with an athletic frame and build. His fastball works 81-83 mph with slight sink. The Sticks have also picked 2019 RHP Landon McAllister from Perfect Timing, out of Northwest Arkansas. McAllister has performed well in the Top Prospects Games and Underclass Games with a mid 80’s fastball and a feel for his slider.

ArkLaTex Open: Sticks Baseball Preview

Related Content