By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

 

4A East

4A-2

1. Lonoke HS: The Jackrabbits will look to their talented junior to continue their recent run of success. This class includes, MIF Casey Martin, OF/RHP Haven Hunter and MIF/RHP Caleb Horton.  Martin is one the elite players in the state of Arkansas will an advanced skill set with most tools. He helped power their offense from the leadoff spot as a sophomore look for him to be the middle of the order bat this spring. Horton and Hunter will have to be consistent on the mound but the offense should be dynamic enough to have too much pressure.
   
   
2. Heber Spring HS: A large number of returners from the 2015 roster. The reason for missing the regional tournament in 2016 could be attributed to the young roster. A group with another year under their belt they should be a tough out. Their offense will have a consistent threat in 2017 OF Pierce Mitchum. A tremendous athlete with great baseball instincts. Mitchum is good enough to carry a team for a stretch, they will need consistent play from others to advance.
   
   
3. Stuttgart HS: 2017 RHP Cole Morgan has advanced pitchability, showing that he can locate three pitches on a consistent bases. This gives the Ricebirds a piece to that most teams don’t have the luxury of having and that’s a consistent No. 1 in their rotation.  Morgan will win a game in the district tournament putting them in the regional.
   
   
4. Riverview HS: A group that should be led by an offense that scores runs in bunches with two power bats in the middle of the order with 2016 C Andrew Moore and 2018 CIF/RHP Tyler Langley. They may be challenged for the four spot but I expect them to hold off, Newport and Co.

4A- 3

1. Pocahontas HS: 2016 RHP Grant Pritchard will receive the ball in elimination games for this group which should be a positive for the. Prichard is a 6-foot-2 185-pound right-hander with Mid-80’s fastball and solid secondary stuff. They won the league in 2015 and I expect nothing less in 2016.
   
   
2. Brookland HS: Coach Preston Despain, does a great job with the Bearcats. His group always plays fundamental baseball with limited mistakes. It maybe new names and faces but the results stay consistent.
   
   
3. Gosnell HS: The Pirates are on consistent contender, year in and year out. Nothing less is expected in 2016. The lost their top arm from 2015 so they have some questions to answer but I am confident that they will get it done.

1. Trumann HS: Trumann played a fairly young roster in 2015, so I expect them to get better as the roster matures. Wildcats should be regional bound and compete hard for a high seed.

Overall

A competitive regional, in 2015 the 4A-3 won three out of the 4 first round games to advance to the state tournament. In 2015 I expect this region to flip with Lonoke, Heber Springs and Stuttgart advancing to the state tournament. Stuttgart to beat will Gosnell is picked due to 2017 RHP Cole Morgan giving the Ricebirds a consistent No.1.

Pick

I am picking the Lonoke Jackrabbits to continue their recent run of success winning the 4A East regional. They have more versatile athletes that can make up for not having dominant pitching. This league is lacking in dominant pitching so the best offense should prevail.