2017 Arkansas Rankings

July 18, 2016

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

After a busy summer of running down the 2017 class, we have sat down and reconfigured the 2017 rankings. The time period for projection on this class is diminishing daily so they have reached the time were projections stops and it begins to be about on field play.

The top player in the class remains MIF from Lonoke High School Casey Martin. Martin has continued to impress as a complete baseball player. A new name jumps up to No. 2 with LHP Hunter Milligan garnering that spot after a solid spring and an impressive summer. The big left-hander looks to be healthy and on track to be the top pitcher in the state. The top uncommitted player also goes to the biggest riser in the top 20 RHP Jaylon Deshazier jumps from 19- 6. Deshazier has was a large contributor part in the resurgence of Pine Bluff High School’s baseball program. Being a key contributor this spring on the mound and in the middle of their lineup. Deshazier continued his upward climb in the ranking with the top performance at the Top Prospects games and competing well all summer. Below you will find comments on all three players

No. 1 Casey Martin, MIF, Lonoke HS
Martin is a 5-foot-11 175-pound MIF/OF with an athletic frame and build. He is a premium athlete running a 6.65 in the 60. Defensively he is a versatile player with arm strength. He throws the ball 84 mph across the infield and 88 mph from the outfield. Offensively he starts from an athletic stance with a smooth load. He has fast bat speed with a slight uphill swing path. He has shown the ability to hit the ball to all fields and has flashed some pull power. Overall Martin has shown a 5 tool player that needs to continue to refine his game.

No. 2 Hunter Milligan, LHP, Greenbrier HS
Milligan is a 6-foot-4 200-pound left-hander with a large frame and a sturdy build. He competes in the strike zone with a fastball that works 85-87 mph with slight arm side run. He has a feel for his mid-70’s curveball with a slowed arm action. He throws his changeup 79 mph. He pitches from an H ¾ arm slot with some stiffness and a deliberate delivery. Overall a physical player that can pitch with some projectability.

No. 6 Jaylon Deshazier, RHP/MIF, Pine Bluff HS
Deshazier is a 6-foot-1 180-pound RHP/SS with a projectable frame and an athletic build. He uses a loose arm from an H ¾ arm slot. He does a sound job repeating his simple delivery. He maintains balance throughout. His fastball works 84-86 mph with late cut action. He compliments the fastball with an 11/5 curveball thrown 74-76 mph. His changeup has depth and arm side run 70-72 mph. He plays through the baseball defensive with fluid footwork and a clean exchange. Offensively he attacks the baseball with fast bat speed. He shows an advanced feel for the barrel and some pull side power. He runs a 6.8 in the 60. Overall a versatile baseball player that will be a solid collegiate player with some aptitude to play either position moving forward.

Top 20

	Casey Martin	AR	Lonoke	2017	SS	Arkansas
2	Hunter Milligan	AR	Greenbrier	2017	LHP	Arkansas
3	Evan Hooper	AR	Cabot	2017	OF	Arkansas
4	Austin Kelly	AR	Bryant	2017	RHP	Arkansas
5	Paxton Wallace	AR	Greenbrier	2017	RHP	Wichita State
6	Jaylen Deshazier	AR	Pine Bluff	2017	RHP
7	Logan Easley	AR	Heritage	2017	3B	Wichita State
8	Kinner Brasher	AR	Southside	2017	OF	Arkansas-Little Rock
9	John (Ross) Carver	AR	Benton High School	2017	SS
10	Andrew Roach	AR	Springdale high/ Homeschool	2017	RHP
11	Cameron Tissue	AR	Catholic	2017	SS	Central Arkansas
12	Adrian Hannah	AR	Searcy	2017	3B
13	Tyler Gregg	AR	Farmington	2017	RHP
14	Jake East	AR	Bryant	2017	SS
15	Cade Tucker	AR	Conway	2017	3B
16	Pierce Mitchum	AR	Heber Springs	2017	OF	Arkansas State
17	Jacob Williams	AR	Bentonville	2017	RHP
18	Mathew Goodheart	AR	Magnolia	2017	2B
19	Chase Bryan	AR	White Hall	2017	SS
20	Logan Gilbertson	AR	Cabot	2017	RHP

Complete List

2017 Arkansas Rankings

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