By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

Saturday October 31^st is the first PBR Arkansas All-State Games the event is going to be hosted at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. This event is going to feature over 80 of the top players in the state, the players will be representing each of the five regions of the state. Here is a look ahead at some of the players I expect to stand out for Team Northwest Arkansas:

Pitcher

Kasey Ford, RHP, 2016, Bentonville HS
Ford is a 6-foot-5 245-pound RHP with a large frame and an average body. He pitched from a low ¾ arm slot with a short but quick arm action. During the 7A State Championship Game he attack the strike zone with a fastball of 88-91 mph with slight arm-side run. He complimented his fastball with a slider thrown at 75-78 mph with gradual 10/4 break. He repeated mechanics consistently allowing him to throw strikes throughout the game. Ford showed the ability to make big pitches in big spots. Overall is a big physical athlete with a strong arm and is highly competitive.

Best Athlete

Thomas Broyles, 2016, OF, Fayetteville HS
Broyles is a 6-foot-1 185-pound outfielder with a medium frame and a physical build. He was the most impressive prospect in the showcase leading in every measurable tools. He ran a 6.59 in the 60, threw 86 mph from the outfield and produced exit speeds up to 91 mph. Defensively he plays through the baseball with a fluid exchange and an accurate arm with carry. Offensively he attacks the ball with fast bat speed and compact slight uphill bat path. He maintained balance and through extension. Overall Broyles is a very talented player and is ready to compete at the collegiate level.

Best Dual Player

Logan Easley 2017  RHP/CIF Heritage HS
Easley is a 6-foot 170 pound right-hander with a quick clean arm. He pounded the strike zone with a fastball of 84-87 mph that had late life through the strike zone. He has an advance feel for his secondary locating both his changeup and curveball. Overall Easley has a clean arm action with a medium frame, and an athletic build. The fact that he is already showing the ability to pitch and advanced arm strength makes Easley a player to follow. He has the ability to hit at the collegiate level with fast bat speed and bat path that stays in the hit zone for an extended period of time. The question mark for Easley as a position player is if he can transfer to a corner as he continues to play the game.

Hitter

Quinn Cherry, 2017, C, Harrison HS
Cherry is a 6-foot-2 170-pound C/OF with a large frame and an athletic build. He impressed with his bat spraying balls to all fields with a compact swing. He attacked the baseball with fast bat speed generating exit speeds up to 91 mph. Defensively he has a strong accurate arm. He threw a 1.97, 2.06, and 2.17. He throw times will be more consistent as he shortens his elongated exchange. He receives the ball with soft hands and maintains good arm angles. Overall Cherry is a physically gifted player that as he refines his tools, he will become a good collegiate player.

Sleeper

Michael King RHP 2016 Har-ber HS
King is a 6-foot-2 right hander with a large frame and an athletic build. He worked from an H ¾ arm slot with a quick arm with a slight wrap. He commanded his fastball 83-86 with some run. He  complimented the fastball with a sharp slider 72-74 mph. King’s mechanics were repeatable with balance and throughout his delivery. Overall with he is a large athlete with repeatable mechanics as he continues to develop he is going to be a pitcher to follow in this 2016 class.

Up and Comers:

Kam’ron Mays-Hunt MIF 2018 Bentonville HS: Good athelete with raw tools, this will be his first year of high school baseball, as he played USSSA during his freshman year.

Blake Adams OF/RHP 2019 Har-Ber HS: Plus athelete with a plus arm. Physically advanced.

Jackson Huskey MIF 2019 Bentonville HS: advanced left-handed hitting middle infielder. Solid actions defensively with an accurate arm.

Peyton Holt MIF 2019 Greenwood HS: Has smooth defensive actions with a quick release and an accurate arm. Competes offensively with tough at bats.