Season Preview: 6A East

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

The 2017 season is rapidly approaching. As we get closer to season, I begin my preview of each team and stories that will affect the overall results of the high school season, and who will ultimately end their season in Baum Stadium on the campus of the University of Arkansas. We move onto coverage of 6A Baseball and more specifically a look at the 6A East.

The 5A/6A conference play will make it a bit unclear on how this group stacks up until the district and state tournaments. Below are our thoughts on teams and players that will shape the 6A East.

Jacksonville 
Coach Burrows will take a young group into the 6A classification, after a few years down at the 5A level. The last time he had a group in 6A they won the state title. This team will be short of the talent of that group, but will play hard and be in the mix to make the state tournament, simply on tradition of Jacksonville baseball.

Jonesboro 
The 2016 6A State Champions will look to defend their conference and state title in 2017. They have depth on the mound with 4 or 5 guys showing the ability to record outs on a consistent basis. 2018 LHP Cameron Poston, 2019 Logan Orr and 2019 Zane Neves are names to watch. Poston is also a solid outfielder with a compact swing that will have an impact offensively.

LR Hall
Hall will work hard to be in the mix and compete the best they can. They are short on frontline pitching with experience. It will be hard to compete at this level without consistent pitching and defensive. Offensively they will compete at the plate, with athletes up and down their lineup.

Marion
Marion will run out a young roster, with only 9 upperclassmen on their 34 man roster. Look for 2018 C Peyton McElroy to lead this unit behind the plate, he shown the ability to block and receive at a high level. Offensively a solid player that will help stabilize a young roster in the middle of the order.

Mountain Home 
A young group that will look to build on the late success they had last spring, as they got hot during the state tournament and finished as the 6A State runner up. They have a big loss on the mound but have some promising young players that project to have a high ceiling. 2019 MIF Luke Jackson will anchor the defensive at Short Stop, the versatile athlete was a big key to success last spring starting at short stop as a freshman. Other young players that should have an impact is 2019 CIF/RHP Luke Kruse and 2020 RHP Will Gross.

Pine Bluff 
Pine Bluff lost several players from the 2016 team which competed at a high level in the 6A South. Fortunately they return their No.1 and No. 2 on the mound. 2017 RHP Jaylon Deshazier and 2017 RHP Brandon Little will be stabilizers on the mound. Both will be keys to success offensively as well. A team that should challenge Jonesboro as one of the better teams in the east.

Searcy 
Searcy graduated two arms that were difference makers in 2016 RHP Bryce Bartlett and 2016 RHP Austin Allen. There may be some question marks on the mound. Expect 2017 CIF/RHP Adrian Hannah and 2017 MIF/RHP Hayden Bowman to carry a big part of the load this spring. Offensively Hannah will be the anchor hitting in the middle of the order. Hannah is one of the top left-hander hitters, in the state. If you are looking for a centerpiece of an offense, he’s a pretty good piece.

West Memphis
West Memphis has a veteran roster with 17 upperclassmen, with loads of returning experience over the past few season. The Blue Devils are hoping the hard knock experience will finally pay off this spring and translate to wins on a consistent basis. Look for 2017 INF/RHP Nick Alsbrook, and 2017 3B/RHP Hayden Spears to lead the way as consistent production and leadership.

Preseason All Conference 

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