By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

The 2017 Underclass Games were hosted on Wednesday June 21^st at Arkansas Tech University. This event featured 40 of the underclassmen from the state of Arkansas. This group competed in a pro-style work out and a 10 inning game. We will continue to work through this event as the summer continues and we update each class rankings, for today we have a brief overview.

Here is a quick look at the statistical leaders from the work portion of the day,

60 Times
2019 RHP/CIF Landon McAllister		7.09
2020 C/INF Coutland Todd		7.09
2020 C/CIF Sam Golden		7.13
2019 INF Charlie Summers		7.15
Defensively Velocity
2020 C/CIF Sam Golden		83mph
2019 MIF/RHP Zane Cox		81mph
2019 RHP/CIF Landon McAllister		80mph
Top Exit Velocity
2020 C/CIF Sam Golden		93mph
2020 CIF/RHP Will Gross		89mph
2019 MIF Zane Cox		88mph
2019 INF Brandon Scott		88mph
2020 INF/OF Brayden Sites		86mph

 

2020 Sam Golden continued his strong showing throughout the morning with two impressive rounds of batting practice. He used a slight uphill bat path, fast bat speed, overall physical strength in his swing to drive balls over the leftfield wall. 2020 INF/OF Brayden Sites showed an advanced feel to hit as he drove balls into the opposite field gap showing doubles power, with bat speed and athleticism. 2020 CIF/RHP Will Gross, impressed with a strong swing which produced consistent loud contact as he drove the baseball.

After a quick break for lunch we rolled into a 10 inning game that was well played with solid energy.

2019 RHP Zane Cox worked off his fastball 78-80 mph with a feel for the strike zone and a curveball thrown 68-70 mph. He worked an efficient inning. He had late hand separation and limited use of his lower half, his arm speed projects him to throw harder as he cleans up some mechanical issues.

2019 MIF/OF Mason Huie impressed with his energy and defensive abilities. He made the best defensive play of the day with diving catch in center-field

to end an inning. Defensively he played through the baseball with fluid footwork, a quick exchange and an accurate arm. He showed similar in the spring when I scouted him in the state tournament. He seems to bring energy each time he comes out.

2019 RHP Landon McAllister backed up last week’s strong showing at the Top Prospects Games with a similar performance. His fastball worked 82-84 mph with slight sink, he did also flash as two seam that he located for strikes at 79-81 mph with late run. He complimented both fastballs with a slider and change up. He commanded both for strikes consistently.

2020 RHP Will Gross commanded the strike zone with a heavy fastball which worked 81-83 mph with late sink. This complimented with a solid curveball thrown 64-66 mph with 11/5 shape and early break. Gross is an intriguing player to watch in the talented 2020 class with advanced strength and a feel for the game.

2019 MIF/RHP Coby Griener impressed on the mound pitching from multiple arm slots with command of the fastball in all slots. His fastball worked 77-80 with late arm side run. His arm action is loose and may be best from the side arm slot as he gained movement without losing velocity. He also flashed a slider with late break thrown 64-66 mph with Frisbee action. Overall he is a name to watch as he shows advanced athleticism, and a loose arm.

2020 C/INF Courtland Todd, is a name to learn as he showed athleticism and the ability to play all over the field competing on the mound, behind the plate, in the infield and in the outfield. He looks to be just a baseball player.

2019 MIF/C Alec Ruble stood out defensively at short stop in game, making solid plays straight on, tow his right and left including a back hand play which he showed a strong accurate arm. He is versatile as he was sound behind the plate as well.

2019 C Rylie Huie, backed up his morning workout with a strong performance in game. He was a quiet receiver, working from an athletic stance. He used proper technique and work ethic in blocking. What made him stand out from other catchers is his arm strength and quick release. Which was on display as he threw out a runner attempting to steal.  

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