On the Rise: 2019 Names to Know

April 14, 2017

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

In some classifications throughout the state next week is the final week of the regular season. This has us looking forward to a busy summer. Looking forward to the summer we begin to dive into names from the 2019 class, that could end up being hot commodities before summers end.

Brandon Ulmer, OF, Booneville HS
Ulmer is a 5-foot-9 160-pound outfielder with a slight frame and an athletic build. Offensively he starts from an athletic stance, he uses a minimum load and stride. He uses a line drive swing, and works primarily to the pull side. He manipulates the barrel well enough to keep it in the hit zone for an extended period of time. He stays balanced through extension and gets down the line well running a 3.89 home to first. Defensively, he works through the baseball with fluid footwork. He throws the ball accurately using H ¾ arm slot and a loose arm. He throws the ball 79 mph from the outfield. Overall Ulmer is a premium athlete with a feel for the game, time will tell as he physically matures on his ceiling.

Peyton Holt, MIF, Greenwood HS
Holt is a 5-foot-9 160-pound middle infielder with an athletic build and frame. Offensively he starts from an athletic stance. He uses a slight hand load and a leg kick, he attacks the baseball with a line drive swing. He maintains balance through extension and has shown the ability to hit the ball to all fields. He produces exit velocities up to 88 mph. Defensively he plays through the baseball with fluid footwork, he as a fluid exchange and throws the ball accurately from multiple arm slots. He runs a 3.98 home to first time. Overall Holt is an advanced athlete with a solid skill set, he is intriguing to watch over the next two years.

Zach Morris, LHP Cabot HS
Morris is a 6-foot-2 230-pound left-hander with a large frame and an average build. Morris pitched 2 innings allowing 1 run while striking out 2 and walking 1. He was the winning pitcher. He commanded the strike zone with a fastball that worked 80-83 mph with downward action. He complimented his fastball with a curveball and slider. His curveball was thrown 68-70 mph with gradual break and 1/7 shape. His slider had 2/8 shape and late break throw 72-74 mph. His simple delivery was repeated consistently with repeated delivery. He pitches from a H ¾ arm slot with a quick arm with a slight wrap on the backside. Overall Morris is a intriguing prospect in the 2019 class as his large frame and consistent ability to sink the baseball.

Kirby Jenkins, INF, Har-Ber HS
Jenkins is a 6-foot-2 175-pound infielder with a large frame and an athletic build. Defensively he plays through the baseball with fluid footwork and solid glove actions. He uses a normal exchange and a short arm action throwing the baseball 80 mph accurately across the infield. Offensively he starts from a tall stance, uses a slight hand load and a leg kick. He attacks the baseball with a slight uphill swing. He stays balanced through contact and shows an advanced feel for his barrel. As he grows into his large frame power production should increase. Overall Jenkins is a polished baseball player, how physical he becomes will determine the level of baseball he plays after high school.

2019 Jake Wright, C/OF, Bryant HS
Wright is a 5-foot-9 175-pound catcher with an athletic frame and build. Defensively he used an athletic stance, he receives with soft-hands. He showed effort and solid technique while blocking and receiving. He threw pop times ranging between 2.03-2.18 in between innings. Offensively he works from an athletic stance, he uses a simple load stride combination. He attacks the baseball with fast bat speed and a line drive swing. He maintains balance through contact. Overall Wright is a solid athlete that competes defensively and has an advanced feel as an offensive player.

On the Rise: 2019 Names to Know

Related Content