Prep Baseball Report

Unsigned Seniors: 8.17.17



By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

School is began Monday; marking the official end to summer. Recruiting is getting kicked off for several 2018 graduates as college coaches have spent the summer on the road evaluating talent and their current rosters movement. Here is a look at some unsigned seniors that I expect to have recruiting movement over the next few weeks.

Chris Willard SS / RHP / Nashville High School, AR / 2018

 Willard is a 6-foot-2 165-pound infielder with a large frame and an athletic build. He runs a 6.97 in the 60. Defensively he plays through the baseball with fluid footwork and normal actions. He uses a smooth transition, he throws from a short arm action, with velocity of 77 mph. Offensively he starts from an open stance, he uses a leg lift as his load stride combination. He attacks the baseball with a line drive swing, which he has shown the ability to hit balls to all fields. Overall Willard is a projectable athlete with a feel to hit.

Jacob Davenport RHP / Fayetteville, AR / 2018

Davenport is a 6-foot 175-pound right-hander with an athletic frame and build. He competes in the strike zone with a fastball that works 81-84 mph with slight sink. He also shows a feel for curveball thrown 71-73 mph with 11/5 shape and gradual break. He throws a change up as well at 73-75 mph, thrown with fastball arm speed and slight fade. Mechanically he uses a simple repeated delivery with a short arm action from a H ¾ slot. Overall Davenport is an athletic right-hander with a feel for three pitches.

 

Garrett Dennis C / Watson Chapel , AR / 2018

Dennis is a 5-foot-10 180-pound athlete with an athletic frame and an average build. He is an intriguing prospect due to his versatility. On the mound he pitches off his fastball, which works 81-84 mph with two solid secondary pitches. As an infielder he plays through the baseball with normal footwork and exchange. He throws the baseball accurately with carry. Behind the plate he uses an athletic stance, he maintains proper glove angles and receives quietly. Offensively he starts from an athletic stance, he uses a leg lift as his load stride combination. He attacks the baseball with fast bat speed and an uphill swing. He uses rushed rhythm which causes a variation in swing mechanics. Overall Dennis is a versatile player with upside as he settles into one position. 

Tucker Sparks RHP / North Little Rock, AR / 2018

 Sparks is a 6-foot-1 175-pound right-hander with a large frame and an average build. He has an advanced feel for three pitches. His fastball 81-84 mph with slight cut action. His curveball works 71-74 mph with 11/5 action and early break. His changeup works 71-73 mph thrown with fastball arm speed 72-74 mph. Mechanically Sparks pitches from a H ¾ arm slot with short arm action with a slight stab in the back. He finishes athletically toward the plate. Overall Sparks has advanced pitchability and has had great success throughout his high school career. 

Gabriel Helsley OF / jacksonville, AR / 2018

Helsley is a 5-foot-10 170-pound outfielder with an athletic frame and build. He runs a 6.90 in the 60. Defensively he plays through the baseball with fluid footwork, he has a normal exchange and a short arm action. He throws the baseball 79 mph from the outfield accurately. Offensively he starts from an open stance, he uses a slight leg kick with inconsistently rhythm on his lower half. He attacks the baseball with a line drive swing from a low hand slot. His swing produces line drives consistently to all fields. Overall Helsley is an above average athlete with solid baseball instincts and a line drive swing. 

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