All State Games: Southwest Team

October 28, 2015

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

Saturday October 31^st is the first PBR Arkansas All-State Games the event is going to be hosted at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. This event is going to feature over 80 of the top players in the state, the players will be representing each of the five regions of the state. Here is a preview of the Southwest Team.

Pitcher

Jon Youngblood,2016, RHP, Lakeside HS
Youngblood is a 6-foot 200-pound right-hander with a large-frame and an average build. He works from a low ¾ arm slot with a loose arm. He commanded his fastball 83-85 mph up to 86 mph with late sink. He showed advanced pitchability locating two off speed pitches, a change up and Frisbee breaking ball. His changeup was thrown with fastball arm speed and arm side run. The breaking ball was thrown 74-76 mph with late sharp break. He repeats his mechanics he would benefit from loading his hips more and using his lower half more aggressively. Overall he is an advanced pitcher with some projectability. Youngblood recently committed to Henderson State University

Top Defender

Dakotah Stafford, 2016, C Central HS
Stafford is a 5-foot-11 170-pound catcher with a medium frame and an athletic build. He is one of the better defensive catchers in the state and he displayed that Saturday. He receives quietly maintain proper glove angles. He has a sound work ethic in terms of blocking on a consistent basis. He threw pop times between 1.85-1.97 with a strong accurate arm. Offensively he starts from an athletic stance with a slight load. He attacks the baseball with average bat speed and a line drive swing. He would benefit from a hand load and becoming more aggressive with his lower half. Overall Stafford is an upper level defender with a raw offensive game with structure to become adequate at the collegiate level.

Best Hitter

Cole Boyd, 2016, OF/C/RHP Horatio HS
Boyd is a 5-foot-9 160-pound athelete with an athletic frame and build, He is one of the most advanced hitters in the entire state. He starts from an athletic stance, he has a smooth load and attacks the baseball with an uphill bat path. He has advance bat speed and an explosive lower half. As a junior Boyd hit double digit homeruns for the Lions. Defensively he is well rounded playing outfield and catcher. At both position he shows an strong arm with carry.

Sleeper

Hunter Lansdell, RHP, 2016, Horatio HS
Lansdell is a 6-foot-2 180-pound right hander with a large frame and an athletic frame. He works from an H ¾ arm slot with a quick arm. He pounds the lower half of the strike zone with a fastball 84-87 mph. He compliments the fastball with a solid breaking ball. Mechanically he does a good job repeating his mechanics allowing for him to throw strikes on a consistent basis.

Up and Comers

Zach Izzo 2018 ATH Horatio HS: A well-rounded player who can defend anywhere on the field. Offensively he was a threat at the top of the order for the Lions last spring.

TJ Bale 2019 RHP Parkers Chapel: He has a small frame with a quick clean arm action. He pounds the strike zone with a 77-80 mph fastball and compliments with a sharp curveball with late break.