Arkansas Signs Four In-State Players in Early Signing Period

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

The University of Arkansas picked up commitments from the Top 4 players in the state of Arkansas.

Casey Martin, MIF, Lonoke HS
Martin is a 5-foot-11 175-pound MIF/OF with an athletic frame and build. He is a premium athlete running a 6.65 in the 60. Defensively he is a versatile player with arm strength. He throws the ball 84 mph across the infield and 88 mph from the outfield. Offensively he starts from an athletic stance with a smooth load. He has fast bat speed with a slight uphill swing path. He has shown the ability to hit the ball to all fields and has flashed some pull power. Overall Martin has shown a 5 tool player that needs to continue to refine his game.

Martin is the No.1 ranked player from the state of Arkansas and is ranked 66^th overall and the 11^th ranked short stop in the national rankings.

Hunter Milligan, LHP, Greenbrier HS
Milligan is a 6-foot-4 200-pound left-hander with a large frame and a sturdy build. He competes in the strike zone with a fastball that works 85-87 mph with slight arm side run. He has a feel for his mid 70’s curveball with a slowed arm action. He throws his changeup 79 mph. He pitches from a H ¾ arm slot with some stiffness and a deliberate delivery. Overall a physical player that can pitch with some project-ability.

Milligan is the No. 2 ranked player from the state of Arkansas and is ranked 78th overall and 11^th ranked left-handed pitcher.

Evan Hooper, OF, Cabot HS
Hooper is a 5-foot-11 175-pound OF/RHP with a wide shoulders and an athletic build. Defensively he is sound with the ability to defend gap-to-gap due to his overall sped. He runs a 6.34 in the 60. He has a short arm action that is accurate with carry at 85 mph. Offensively he has a line drive swing with fast bat speed. He produces exit velocity up to 95 mph. He repeats his mechanics and stays balanced through extension. Overall Hooper is a rare athlete with a ton of tools, over time he should develop more offensively finding barrel on a more consistent basis.

Hooper is the No. 3 ranked player from the state of Arkansas and is ranked 136^th nationally and the 24^th ranked outfielder.

Austin Kelly, RHP, Bryant HS
Kelly is a 6-foot-1 180-pound RHP with a large frame and a physical build. He pitches from a H ¾ arm slot with a quick arm. His fastball works 86-89 mph with late sink. He also throws a sharp 10/4 slider at 76-79 mph. Struggles with command at times but when he is in the strike zone he possesses swing and miss stuff. Overall a premium athlete with a quick arm, he has a high ceiling and should improve as he continues to pitch more consistently.

Kelly is the No. 4 ranked player from the state of Arkansas and is ranked 175^th nationally and the 73rd ranked right-handed pitcher.

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