PBR Arkansas 2018 Rankings
August 15, 2016
By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director
After a busy spring and summer, we have finally come to a consensus updated 2018 rankings. A very deep class that took a lot of time energy and discussion from our staff.
2018 LHP Evan Hiatt from Catholic High School takes over the top spot. The 6-foot-2 left-hander looks to be the most polished player in the class. He has proven time in time again to locate his fastball 84-86 mph on both sides of the plate. His curveball has pushed him to the front, he locates his curveball in any all locations at 74-77 mph. He also has solid command of his change up. Hiatt is an Arkansas commit.
Hiatt is followed by No. 2 2018 RHP Connor Noland from Greenwood (Arkansas commit). Two highly recuited pitchers No. 3 Jaden Hill and No. 4 Kaleb Hill. Jaden is a 6-foot-3 right-hander who made a huge jump this spring, coming off a broken wrist late in the spring. He came back strong locating his fastball 88-91 mph with late life through the strike zone. Jaden is sorting through the recruiting process with offers from multiple programs in the SEC. Kaleb is a 6-foot-4 left-hander that works primarily off his fastball that works 84-87 mph and has been as high as 89 mph. Mechanically the least polished of the four pitchers but he has a high ceiling as he continues to get better.
No. 5 Tyler Johnson is the first position player in the rankings. As a sophomore he helped anchor Bentonville High School line up, as the Tigers won the 7A West. Johnson is a 6-foot-2 185-pound CIF/OF with an advanced feel to hit and the potential to hit for power consistently.
Two players have made a large jump, No. 7 Wade Beasley, after sitting out the spring Beasley had a strong summer playing for Southern Athletic. He has shown the ability to locate his fastball in the upper 80’s with a solid slider thrown 72-74 mph. No. 12 C Andrew Stanley has consistently showed an improvement and he has been rewarded with a jump, a strong showing at the PBR Futures Games earlier this month has led to an increase in recruiting activity.
Top 20
Rank
Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment | |
1 | Evan Hiatt | AR | Catholic | 2018 | LHP | Arkansas |
2 | Connor Noland | AR | Greenwood | 2018 | RHP | Arkansas |
3 | Jaden Hill | AR | Ashdown | 2018 | RHP | |
4 | Kaleb Hill | AR | Watson Chapel | 2018 | LHP | |
5 | Tyler Johnson | AR | Bentonville | 2018 | 1B | Arkansas |
6 | Connor McCullough | AR | Maumelle | 2018 | RHP | Oklahoma |
7 | Wade Beasley | AR | Forman | 2018 | RHP | |
8 | Jordan Wicks | AR | Conway | 2018 | LHP | |
9 | Jakobi Jackson | AR | Watson Chapel | 2018 | OF | |
10 | Kam'Ron Mays-Hunt | AR | Bentonville | 2018 | SS | |
11 | Pate Fullerton | AR | Harding Academy | 2018 | SS | |
12 | Andrew Stanley | AR | Searcy | 2018 | C | |
13 | Will Richardson | AR | Woodlawm | 2018 | RHP | |
14 | Miller Pleimann | AR | Fayetteville | 2018 | RHP | |
15 | Jackson Stroth | AR | Conway | 2018 | C | |
16 | Landon Brown | AR | Shiloh Christian | 2018 | RHP | |
17 | Luke Johnson | AR | Shiloh Christian | 2018 | 1B | |
18 | Hank Hannah | AR | Catholic | 2018 | LHP | |
19 | Nick Fakouri | AR | Sylvan Hills | 2018 | RHP | |
20 | Bennett Shoptaw | AR | Little Rock Christian Academy | 2018 | RHP |
To see the complete rankings, click here
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