5A South Season Preview

February 19, 2016

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

Always a league with a ton of talent and has consistently produced teams that make a run for State Championship. The 5A state champion has come out of this league three of the last five years.

Pitching

Camden Fairview: 2017 LHP Jameson Milner looks to lead this group into the state tournament. A tradition rich program looks to bounce back in 2016 after, missing the playoffs in 2015. Milner has advanced pitchability locating his fastball, changeup and curveball with strikes.

Lakeside: 2016 RHP Jon Youngblood will carry the load for the Rams in 2016. Youngblood pitches from a low ¾ arm slot with a mid-80s’ fastball with late sink. He locates his Frisbee slider and change up in any count. Behind Youngblood look for 2016 Kyle Lightsey to contribute significant innings as well.

Watson Chapel: 2017 RHP Aaron Frazier, 2017 RHP Hayden Arnold and 2018 LHP Kaleb Hill will make the base for a deep pitching staff. All three could easily receive the ball I the first round of the state tournament. 2018 LHP Jakobi Jackson and 2018 RHP Blake Phillips will add depth to the rotation.

White Hall: A veteran staff led by three seniors. 2016 RHP Cade Canada will be the No.1 in the rotation. The 6-foot-5 right-hander pounds the strike zone with three pitches. Canada has experience winning big games as he has been a part of the Bulldogs run to Baum Stadium the last two season. The other contributors should be 2016 RHP Bailey Smith, 2016 RHP Jared Chavis and 2018 Layne Hartsfield.

Hitting

Camden Fairview: The Cardinals will be led 2016 INF/OF DJ Franklin. Franklin is a terrific athlete with fast bat speed and once he gets on base look out, as he can put his sub 6.6 speed to work. They should receive with large contributions from 2017 MIF John Dawson, and several other underclassmen.

Lakeside: 2016 CIF Brandon Hall will anchor the middle of the line up again in 2016. The infielder has been a tough out for his entire career for the Rams. He should have plenty of help around him, with contributions from 2016 C Erick Aquirre, 2018 C/INF Zachary Melugin, and 2016 OF Tanner Rice.

Watson Chapel: The 2016 lineup with look similar to the lineup Coach Chad Cope used in 2015 to win their 6^th consecutive 5A South conference championship. A key returner will be 2018 OF Jakobi Jackson. Jackson is a hybrid player, which is an above average runner, and has the ability to hit for power, as he led 5A baseball in home runs as a freshmen. A new face to the roster should be 2018 MIF Braelin Hence who transferred from Pine Bluff High School and should be the replacement for 2015 MIF Jalen Jackson.

White Hall: 2016 OF Caleb Carr, 2017 OF Chase Bryan and 2018 Layne Hartsfield will try to lead this group on another in run in the state tournament. This group is premium athletes with bat speed, once they get on base they can create offense. If the Bulldogs can consistent play from the rest of their line up, they will have a shot to challenge for a conference championship.

Overall

I see this group making the state tournament, Magnolia could push for one of these spots but after a great year in 2015, they have too many questions to pick for a playoff run. De Queen, Hope and Hot Springs don’t look to have the depth to make the playoffs but have enough talent to affect the race with some upsets.

Pick

I am picking Watson Chapel to win their 7^th consecutive conference title. The amount of talent they have on the mound, make them one of the tougher teams in all of 5A. Hence should answer their question at short stop. Jackson and company have a proven record of scoring runs. Lakeside has the experience to challenge and you can’t count out White Hall with a senior class that has helped reach the state finals the last two seasons. Winning the 5A State Title in 2014.

5A South Season Preview

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