7A East Conference Preview

February 8, 2016

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

7A East
Today we take a look at this competitive league with four teams complimented by the addition of competitive 6A programs to give each team a challenge every game.

Pitching
Cabot: Deep rotation led by 2016 RHP Chase Kyzer. Kyzer works 84-86 mph with a wipe up slider. He is backed by 2017’s RHP/OF Evan Hooper, RHP Logan Gilbertson, and RHP Brett Brockington. Hooper uses a quick loose arm to pound the strike with his fastball 86-88 mph from a low ¾ arm slot. Gilbertson is a large framed right-hander with advanced pitch-ability. Brockington is one of the sleepers in his class a large frame with a quick arm, if he is consistent it will go a long way to helping the Panthers repeat.

RELATED: Watch Cabot's Evan Hooper

Central: The Tigers will lean on their senior duo of LHP EJ Scott and RHP Nathan Abraham. Scott works from an H ¾ arm slot with a quick arm and repeatable mechanics that allows him to pound the strike zone. Abraham has advanced pitch-ability locating three pitches for a strike on a consistent basis.

North Little Rock: The Charging Wildcats have a distinct No.1 with 2016 RHP Christian Goshen. Goshen pounds the strike zone with a fastball 85-87 mph. He compliments his fastball with a solid curveball and changeup. After Goshen they will pitch by committee with 2016 RHP Jordan Reed, 2017 RHP Owen Stuckey and 2017 OF/RHP Nick Butler. They may find some help with the freshman group as well.

West Memphis: West Memphis will have some question marks on the mound trying to replace Baltimore Oriole draftee 2015 Gray Fenter.

Hitting
Cabot: This group will be led by 2017s C Denver Mullins, MIF Blake McCutchen and OF Evan Hooper. Mullins is a physical player with bat speed, he will anchor the middle of the lineup. McCutchen is a tough out that will grind out at bats. Hooper is one of the most talented players in the state, maybe the country if he figures it out he will be a dominate force with his bat speed and ability to run.

Central: Central returns a majority of their roster from 2015, which led to a state tournament victory. 2018 CIF Aaron Mann will be the bat in the middle of the order they look to produce runs. If his freshman campaign was any preview of the Tigers will be fine. Other key contributors should be 2016 C Dakatoh Stafford and 2016 1B/LHP EJ Scott.

North Little Rock: Maybe the deepest line up in conference. 2017 MIF Zac Freeman will get things going at the top of the lineup. Freeman is a great athlete has shown the ability to hit the ball to all fields. 2016 C Ben Bailey will be their thumper in the middle of the order. Bailey is a polished left-handed hitter with doubles power to both gaps. Other contributors should include 2017 INF Reed Sheppard, 2017 OF Nick Butler and 2016 OF Jordan Reed.

West Memphis: 2018 INF Curtis Washington returns and should hit lead off as he did as a freshman. 2017 INF Hayden Spears returns in the middle of the lineup. The Blue Devils were young in 2015, this year they should see some results from playing a bunch of young players last year as they return 7 starters.

Overall
A competitive league that should be entertaining to watch night in and night out. Everyone should be tough when pitching is each teams-1 vs 1 on the mound. The separation will come from pitching depth. It looks like West Memphis will miss the State Tournament this season, but with the experience they are returning, they may surprise someone.

Pick
Cabot looks to be the team to beat in 7A East, their pitching staff looks to be deep with right-handers that do a good job competing in the strike zone with solid stuff. McCutchen and Hooper are premium defenders at short stop and centerfield. Mullins and company should be able to produce enough runs for the Panthers to repeat as conference champions

7A East Conference Preview

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