By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

The 2017 season is rapidly approaching. As we get closer to season, I begin my preview of each team and stories that will affect the overall results of the high school season, and who will ultimately end their season in Baum Stadium on the campus of the University of Arkansas. We move onto coverage of 6A Baseball and more specifically a look at the 6A South.

The 5A/6A conference play will make it a bit unclear on how this group stacks up until the district and state tournaments. Below are our thoughts on teams and players that will shape the 6A South.

Arkansas High School
Arkansas High School will look to make strides as a contender in the 6A South. On the mound they will lean on 2017 RHP Jacob Jackson, 2018 RHP Dylan Adcock and 2019 RHP Drake Browning. All have shown the ability to locate in the strike and compete at a high level. Offensively they will be anchored in the lineup by 2019 CIF/C Nick Vaughn who is a legitimate middle of the order bat with pull side power. 2018 OF Gage Gore will sit the table at the top of the order. The rest of the lineup will be athletic players that will compete at a high level and execute their offensive game plan.

Benton High School
The panthers lost a big graduating class in 2016, so there will be a large drop off in 2017… Or not, it seems that Benton will not just rebuild but they will reload. On the mound they will look to 2017 RHP Ross Carver to lead them on the mound. The senior right-hander has an upper 80’s fastball and a feel for his breaking ball. Behind Carver look for 2018 RHP Preston Fleeman and 2019 LHP Colin Morrow to stabilize the pitching staff. At short stop they return 2018 MIF Drew Chilton, who is a steady in making all the routine plays. Offensively they may struggle to replace large gaps left behind, but it’s more of an experience question mark than a talent issue.

El Dorado High School
Coach Sam Tyler continues to build a program in El Dorado, a program filled with young talent. A year older than last year so you can expect more success, probably a year away from being a contender in the competitive 6A South. Young players to watch are 2019 RHP/3B Jacob Boshears and 2019 RHP/INF Dereck Jobe. Both players have shown above average arm strength and solid athleticism.

Greenwood High School
Coach Hollaway enters year three as Greenwood’s head coach. He looks to have the Bulldogs ready to make a run to Baum Stadium. 2018 RHP Connor Noland will lead their pitching staff. He has advanced pitch ability locating three pitches for a strike. His fastball works in the upper 80s with a quality breaking ball and changeup. Noland will be followed by 2017 INF/RHP Cooper Van Kooten and 2018 INF/RHP Ryan Daggs. Offensively Noland, Van Kooten, and Daggs will be the core joined by 2019 MIF Peyton Holt and 2020 OF/INF Colten Sagely. This unit should be competitive up and down the line up.

Lake Hamilton High School
Lake Hamilton has a veteran roster with 13 upperclassmen, which look to make a run at the big three of the conference. They will have a shot to beat anyone in the league with 2017 RHP Korey Wasson on the mound. Wasson is an Arkansas State commit, which possesses the ability to locate an upper 80’s fastball and a quality breaking ball. Offensively I expect this group to stay discipline and to the plan Coach Hurley has in plan for them. They should be in the mix all season, with a shot to make a move in the district tournament.  

Russellville High School
The Cyclone look to be a young roster in 2017 with 22 underclassman of their 35 man roster. This group will play with great energy and competitive spirit as they go through the some growing pains of learning on the fly. They do have a dynamic player in 2018 OF Bryson George. George is a premium athlete with raw offensive ability, look for him to impact the offense and solidify the outfield defensively. There will be some names learned as this group goes through the season.

Sheridan High School
Sheridan will look to make a return to Baum Stadium again after their 2015 state championship. They are deep on the mound lead by 2018 RHP/MIF Tyler Cleveland, 2017 RHP/INF David Vilches and 2017 RHP David Rainwater. All three have shown the ability to get players out at a high rate. A new name to watch is 2020 RHP Tyler Caccitorri who is a dynamic young player. Offensively this is a veteran group key offensive names should be 2017 C/OF McKinley Williams, 2017 MIF Nick Whitley, and 2018 MIF Hunter Hicks all have had consistent production throughout their high school career. Overall one of the favorites to compete for the state championship.

Siloam Springs High School
A roster with a solid mix of experienced players and a group of young players looking to push for playing time. A key player for this group will be 2017 RHP/MIF Chandler Cook. Cook has an advanced feel to pitch with a mid-80’s fastball and a quality breaking ball. He is a sound middle infielder with bat speed a feel for the barrel on a consistent basis. Look for 2017 RHP/INF Josh Hunt 2017 RHP/INF Chance Junkerman and 2017 OF/RHP Dawson Armstrong to make this a competitive group in their final high school campaign.

Preseason Predictions

1. Sheridan

2. Greenwood

3. Benton

4. Lake Hamilton

5. Arkansas

6. Siloam Springs

7. El Dorado

8. Russellville

Player of the Year 2018 RHP/3B Connor Noland Greenwood
Pitcher of the Year 2018 RHP/INF Tyler Cleveland Sheridan

Preseason All Conference

P	Connor Noland-Greenwood
P	Tyler Cleveland-Sheridan
P	Ross Carver- Benton
P	Korey Wasson-Lake Hamilton
P	David Vilches-Sheridan
C	Mckinley Williams-Sheridan
1B	Nick Vaughn- Arkansas
2B	Nick Whitley- Sheridan
3B	Cooper Van Kooten-Greenwood
SS	Peyton Holt-Greenwood
OF	Gage Gore-Arkansas
OF	Bryson George- Russellville
OF	Jacob Boshears-El Dorado
DH	Ryan Daggs-Greenwood
UTL	Chandler Cook- Siloam Springs

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