By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

Little Rock picked up a commitment from 2017 RHP Hayden Arnold. Arnold is the 13^th ranked player in the 2017 class and the 5^th ranked right-handed pitcher in this class. Arnold had a solid spring anchoring Watson Chapel High Schools talented pitching staff, giving them consistent outing all year. Watson Chapel won the 5A South and finished the state tournament in the Semi-Finals.

Recruiting began to pick up for Arnold after the Top Prospects Games at Arvest Ball Park in early June, where he showed advanced pitch ability throwing well against some of the best players in the state. He continued to show strides with better fastball velocity later in summer competing for the Extra Innings Sticks. His fastball numbers improved when I saw him pitch at PBR Arkansas Super 16 Tournament at Baum Stadium in early July.  Over the past few weeks he had received multiple offers before deciding to continue his baseball career with the Little Rock Trojans. Below is my full report on Arnold.

Hayden Arnold RHP Watson Chapel High School
Arnold is a 6-foot-2 170-pound right-hander with an athletic frame and an athletic frame. He works from an H ¾ arm slot with a loose quick arm. He has a repeatable delivery with easy effort and an average balance point. He located his fastball with slight run 86-88 mph. His secondary were effective, he located his curveball was throw 72-74 mph with early 11/5 break. His changeup had more deception thrown with near fastball arm speed and 76-78 mph with arm side run. Overall Arnold is a projectable right-hander with a loose arm. He will improve if he will get consistent extension to home plate.