5A Central Season Preview

February 17, 2016

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

5A Central

A top heavy but competitive league, in 2016. The big four return to battle it out for conference championships. Coach Burrows and the Jacksonville Red Devils reload in 2016 after winning the conference last season, so the race should be wide open. Here is my break down of the four teams that should represent the 5A Central in Harrison come may.

Pitching

Beebe: On the mound it starts with 2016 RHP Angus Denton. Denton is a 6-foot right hander who throws well below a low ¾ arm slot. He mixes his pitches well, his fastball works 84-86 mph and he throws a sharp Frisbee breaking ball. The rest of the rotation will have to gain consistency but No. 1 vs No.1 Beebe may be the toughest out in all of 5A.

Jacksonville: The Red Devils lost a large senior class that will leave holes through out, fortunately for them they have had some arms waiting for their opportunity. 2016 LHP Brandon Hawkins and 2016 RHP Brandon Hickonbothan should provide a sloid 1-2. Hawkins is a 6-3 left-hander that pitches 80-82 mph with a solid breaking ball. Hickonbotham is 6-3 right-hander who has shown the ability to make tough pitches.

Pulaski Academy: The Bruins have experience on the mound, returning 2 of their top 3 pitchers in innings pitched from 2015. They will look to 2017 Will Osment and 2018 Layne Hatcher to stabilize the rotation while receiving contributions from 2016 Jackson Ward, 2017 Dylan Nosler and 2018 Jason Smith.

Sylvan Hills: The bears will rely on some talented but unproven pitches this spring. 2017 River Hunter, 2017 Michael Coven, and 2018 Ryan Lumpkin will be key contributors. This group has plenty of talent and should comprise the deepest pitching staff in the conference.

Hitting

Beebe: Denton is pretty handy with the bat as well and should play short stop when not pitching. 2017 CIF Carson McNeil and 2019 CIF Noah Jolly should provide a consistent middle of the order threat for the Badgers. Jolly is young but has an advanced approach at the plate and doubles powers for a left-hander.

Jacksonville: Hickonbotham, led the Red Devils in batting average in 2015. He will have to be a steady force in an inexperienced lined up. Look for 2016 MIF Tyson Flowers, 2016 C Jordan Wakefield and 2017 MIF Caleb McMunn to be key contributors.

Pulaski Academy: In 2015 the Bruins played a lot of underclassmen, they may reap the benefits in 2016 returning 6 starters. They’ll look for 2016 OF Cody Anderson and 2017 OF Cameron Blann to set the table while 2016 CIF Caden Hawes anchors the middle of the order. Other contributors should be 2017 Dylan Nosler, 2018 Thomas Wheelis and 2016 Jacob Andersen.

Sylvan Hills: 2018 C Nick Farkouri will the steady bat in the middle of the Bears line up. Farkouri has raw power to the pull side. He shown consistent ability to find barrel. Other contributors will be 2016 MIF Mackenzie Seats, and 2017 CIF Zachary Douglas.

Overall

A tough league, but a consistent league. Beebe, Jacksonville, Pulaski Academy, and Sylvan Hills, will all advance to the state tournament again. This will leave McClellan, Mills and JA Fair Missing the playoffs in 2016. A conference with consistent contenders for state championships, as each program has one at least one state title since 2005.

Pick

I am picking the Sylvan Hills Bears to win the 5A Central in 2016. They will rely on a young pitching staff that should be benefited by pitching in front of tough defense, with 2018 Nick Farkouri behind the plate and 2016 Mackenzie Seats, 2017 Michael Coven one of the better middle infield combinations in the state in all classes.

5A Central Season Preview

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