Prep Baseball Report

Five Arkansans move into the 2016 Rankings



By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

The updated 2016 rankings have been posted, Arkansas is well represented with 5 players being ranked in the top 300. The Arkansas Player rankings will be released in Mid-January after our Elite Underclassmen Showcase on January 10th, at University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Below we have a complete breakdown of the players that broke into the Prep Baseball Reports Rankings.

Luke Bandy, MIF/RHP, Shiloh Christian HS,
Luke is a 6-foot, 175 pound athlete that has shown the ability to compete on the mound or playing a position. He runs the 60 in 6.75. He has smooth defensive actions with solid footwork and throws up to 82 mph across the diamond during defensive work. Bandy showed fast bat-speed and some raw power with an uphill swing plane. On the mound he works from a high ¾ arm slot, he has a clean arm action that is very repeatable. Bandy pounds the strike zone with his with a fastball of 81-84 that shows late life. His curveball had 10/4 action with sharp break that he throws for strikes to put hitters away. He leaks the lower half at times, if he will stay in his legs he will have an increase in velocity.

Evan Lee, LHP, Bryant HS,
The 6-foot, 175 pound left-hander has an advance understanding of how to pitch. He pitches off his fastball that sits 84-87 mph and gets up to 89 mph. He has a good feel for a change up that he throws with fastball arm speed. The change up has arm side run. Lee also throws a curveball with 12/6 action and good depth. He is a good athlete with a projectable frame.

Kasey Ford, RHP, Bentonville HS
Ford, is a 6-foot-5 245-pound right hander, which really projects. He works from a High ¾ arm slot, with a quick clean arm. He pitches off his fastball of 86-89 mph and touches 90 mph. He throws a change up and curveball as his off speed pitches. Ford understands how to compete at a high level and will continue to get better.

Luke Price, OF, Dover HS
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound, Price is a good athlete with raw power. He runs a 6.75 in the 60. He has good defensive instincts in the outfield and a strong accurate arm. Offensively he attacks the ball with fast bat speed, and he maintains balance through extension. Combine that with his pure strength, makes Price the best power bat in the state.

Dylon Thompson, LHP, Catholic HS
Thompson, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound left hander. He locates his fastball on both sides of the plate and has a feel for two off speed pitches. He works 82-85 mph with is fastball. The curveball has 1/7 action with good depth. The change up has good action with arm side run, however it would be better if he could maintain fastball arm speed. Mechanically, Thompson is sound with a quick clean arm, he has good balance and finishes online to the plate. I would like to see him stay stacked over the back side more, if he does this he will throw harder.

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