By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

With the beginning of the season just a month away, Prep Baseball Report has released the initial rankings for Arkansas’ Class of 2016. This class is balanced, with four pitchers, four position players and a couple two-way players in the top 10.

The No. 1 prospect, LHP Evan Lee (Bryant HS) is a 6-foot, 165-pound left-hander with a quick, clean arm. He commands both sides of the strike zone with a fastball that works 84-87 mph. He shows advanced pitchability, controlling his changeup with arm-side run, and a 12/6 curveball with late break. He is committed to Arkansas. Coming behind Lee is MIF/RHP Luke Bandy (Shiloh Christian HS an intriguing athlete that shows potential to be a top performer either on the mound or at the plate. He is a 6-foot, 175-pound athlete that runs a 6.71-second 60. As a position player, he shows soft hands, fluid footwork and a quick exchange. Offensively, he throws the barrel with quickness and an uphill path. On the mound, he works from a high-3/4 arm slot and commands the fastball to both sides of the plate, sitting 81-84 mph with late life. His curveball has 10/4 action with sharp break. Bandy is currently uncommitted.

Rounding out the top 10 are RHP Kasey Ford (Bentonville HS), OF Luke Price (Dover HS), LHP Dylon Thompson (Catholic HS), C Austin Powell (Star City HS), LHP Joey Savin (Fayetteville HS), OF/MIF Ryan Hunter (Maumelle HS), C J. Paul Fullerton (Harding Academy) and RHP/MIF Blake Wynne (Star City HS).

This group is still in the thick of the recruiting process with only Lee and Ford currently committed to Arkansas and Kansas State respectively.

Take a look at the top 10

Rank	Name	Position
1	Evan Lee	LHP
2	Luke Bandy	2B/MIF
3	Kasey Ford	RHP
4	Luke Price	OF
5	Dylon Thompson	LHP
6	Austin Powell	C
7	Joey Savin	LHP
8	Ryan Hunter	OF
9	J. Paul Fullerton	C
10	Blake Wynn	SS