Fall Prospect League: Pitcher of the Year

October 12, 2016

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

The 2016 Fall Prospect League was a huge success, this event allowed me to get a good feel for over 70 players, and players from multiple classes. The league featured a little of everything with some top in 2017, 2018, 2019, and emerging players in the 2020 class. Throughout this week we are going to announce our post season awards.

Pitcher of the Year

2017 RHP Preston Pope from Nashville High School, earned the pitcher of the year award. Pope went 4-0 with 16 innings pitched 0.00 ERA 14 strike outs and only 2 base on balls. His success came from his ability to pound the strike zone with three pitches on a consistent basis. He worked his fastball 79-82 mph on both sides of the plate and complimented his fastball with a curveball thrown 69-71 mph with early break and 11/5 shape. He commanded his changeup with arm side, run he did maintain arm speed for added deception.

Other notes on Pope; He is 5-foot-9 with an athletic frame and build. He pitches from an H ¾ arm slot with clean arm action. He has a simple delivery which is repeated consistently. He uses a distinct balance point before driving to home plate. He finishes square to home plate with an athletic finish.

In the Conversation

Kayden Tollett RHP: from DeQueen HS Tollett was a consistent performer on the mound. H pitches from a L ¾ arm slot working 77-80. His delivery is simple and repeatable. He uses some effort but maintains control of his head. His fastball has slight sink and induced groundballs on a consistent basis. He throws a Frisbee slider to compliment his fastball. The slider has gradual break. Overall Tollett is a solid pitcher, he showed the ability to pitch out of jams with his fastball inducing ground balls on a consistent basis.

Rockets: This group was primarily made up of young arms that all showed the potential to be a dominant arm. In week 1 2020 RHP Luke Hindman showed advanced pitchability pounding the strike zone with two advanced pitches for his age. In week 2 2019 RHP J Matt Rogers was dominant in his start cruises for 4 innings with 8 strike outs to lead his team to victory against PBR Select. 2019 RHP Josh Dawson had flashes of advanced fastball command and loose a projectable arm. 2019 LHP Lawson Tiffee was impressive at times with a swing and miss fastball with late movement.

Prospects 2020: 2020 Cayden Wallace impressed with efficient fastball command with late sink. He worked two efficient innings at Arkansas Tech, which is all he pitched in the league but it definitely turned some heads. RHP Tyler Cacciatori also pitched well at Arkansas Tech, showing advanced pitchability for such a young player, locating 3 pitches for a strike. His fastball worked 77-80 mph with late sink and his slider showed solid depth as he located it for strikes. Overall both have shown the ability to pitch right away in high school and will be players to watch in the 2020 class.