Prep Baseball Report

State Tournament Predictions: 4A-2A



By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director 

The 2015 season is right around the corner, if it ever stops snowing. Here is the 2015 state championship prediction for class 4A to 2A and the other teams that could challenge in each classification.

4A
Pick: Arkadelphia High School, is the back-back defending state championship, 2015 looks like they have enough pieces to make a run for a three peat. They will be led by their large junior class. On the Mound they will lean on RHP Brayden Beebe 9-0 in 2014 and LHP Brandon Matros, who was their stopper out of the pen as a sophomore. MIF/ RHP Cutter Jester will do a little bit of everything for the Badgers again playing shortstop, hitting in the top of the lineup and logging meaningful innings on the mound. Other hitters to keep an eye on will be 3B Ty Koster and C Danny Jo Spradlin.
Challenger: Star City High School, the Bulldogs have two quality arms with RHP Blake Wynn and Gary Hill. Couple that with a good defensive catcher to lead the show, Austin Powell. It looks like Star City will be the biggest challenger
Under the Radar: Hamburg High School and Dover High School could be surprise teams in the class 4A Hamburg made a run in the state tournament in 2014 with a core group returning from that class including OF/LHP Darien Burns. Dover returns a talented group from 2014 and could have enough punch in the middle of their line up with junior OF Luke Price returning off his 10 homerun performance in 2014.

3A
Pick: Genoa Central High School, the Dragons won the 3A title in 2014 are the favorite again in 2015. They have two upper echolean offensive performers in Garrett Huff (Arkansas State) and Cale Ridling (UALR). Junior Justin Swecker looks to lead a young but talented pitching staff. 2015 should in with Genoa Central winning their 4th title in the past 6 season.
Challenger: Smackover High School, the Buckaroos have a veteran group with plenty of talent. On the mound they will lean on senior LHP Logan Clark (Central Arkansas). Offensively they will look to seniors OF Tripp Evans (Henderson State) and MIF/RHP Jackson Martin (Henderson State) to lead the offense and hold down the middle of the field defensively. The X factor for this group should be junior catcher Keandre Purifoy.
Under the Radar: Harding Academy is a young but talented group that if they mature could be a team to make some noise in the state tournament. Offensively they will be led by C J. Paul Fullerton and OF Noah Holt. These two are not only two of the top hitters in 3A but in the entire state. The question will be on the mound, if juniors RHP Bryce Bartlett and Reid Maddox can compete on the big stage the wildcats may be able to make a run.

2A
Pick: Woodlawn High School, the Bears looked primed to make another run to the state championship. They are led by two seniors J. P. Aiken and Taylor Stitt. Aiken is a talented two way player that will anchor the middle of their line up and will be the number two on the mound for them. Taylor Stitt will try to repeat his great 2014 campaign. The addition of some talented young players may give them the final push to a title after a state semi-final run in 2014.
Challenger: Parkers Chapel High School, is consistently in the mix in the 2A classification. In 2014 they finished in the state semi-finals. They will have to replace RHP/CIF Eric White who anchored them in the middle of the lineup and the top spot of the rotation. Regan Cates will lead them at short shop and the top of the order. Coach Looney will have this young group as competitive as anyone.

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