Arkansas Scouting Reports
It's another ho-hum year in Arkansas, which probably won't have a player taken in the first five rounds. There's no match for last year's top prospect, high school lefthander Travis Wood (who became a second-round pick of the Reds), and the state hasn’t produced a significant hitter since Eric Hinske came out of the University of Arkansas as a Cubs 17th-rounder in 1998. The best prospect in the state is Razorbacks lefthander Nick Schmidt, but he's a sophomore who won't be draft-eligible until 2007.
1. Jarred Holloway, lhp, Russellville HS
2. Danny Hamblin, 1b, Arkansas
3. Craig Gentry, of, Arkansas
4. Aubrey Miller, rhp, Arkansas Tech
5. DeMarcus Ingram, of, North Little Rock HS, Little Rock
6. Murray Watts, 1b, Jonesboro HS
7. Blake Parker, 3b/c, Arkansas
8. Daryl Maday, rhp, Arkansas
9. Brett Kinning, 2b, Arkansas State
10. Joel Boeschen, lhp, Arkansas State
Razorbacks Dominate State's Talent List
Lefthander Jarred Holloway is still the state's top prospect, but his stock has dropped a little over the course of the spring. Though he's big (6-foot-3 and 210 pounds) and strong (his fastball sits at 89-91 mph), scouts would like him to tone up his body and show good stuff on a more consistent basis. While his curveball is promising, his command needs a lot of improvement. He may not get picked high enough to divert him from Mississippi State.
First baseman Danny Hamblin profiled better as a third baseman, the position he played before damaging his right shoulder on a slide as a freshman in 2004. His arm strength hasn't come back since surgery that offseason, though he's athletic enough to possibly play the outfield as a pro. He's a solid athlete with power and speed. If Hamblin signs, his replacement at first base for the Razorbacks will be imposing 6-foot-7, 250 pound Murray Watts. The state's high school athlete of the year, Watts has tremendous lefthanded power potential and runs well for his size.
Outfielder Craig Gentry offers an impressive physical package. He's 6-foot-2, 190-pounder with speed, raw power and center-field skills. He wasn't drafted as a junior last year in part because he needed Tommy John surgery, and he missed time this spring with an infected right knee. He should go in the sixth to 10th round as a senior sign.
Arkansas Tech, an NCAA Division II program, is the home of the state's best college pitching prospect. Righthander Aubrey Miller is a 6-foot-4, 211-pounder with an 88-92 mph fastball. He could sneak into the first 10 rounds.
Outfielder DeMarcus Ingram should be at least a draft-and-follow after committing to Pensacola (Fla.) Junior College. A star at tailback for North Little Rock High's football team, he's an outstanding athlete with speed and plenty of center-field range. He's a spray hitter and some scouts have questions about him at the plate, though he does have bat speed.
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Print| THIS YEAR'S CROP | |
| ***** | One for the books |
| **** | Banner year |
| *** | Solid, not spectacular |
| ** | Not up to par |
| * | Nothing to see here |
1. Jarred Holloway, lhp, Russellville HS
2. Danny Hamblin, 1b, Arkansas
3. Craig Gentry, of, Arkansas
4. Aubrey Miller, rhp, Arkansas Tech
5. DeMarcus Ingram, of, North Little Rock HS, Little Rock
6. Murray Watts, 1b, Jonesboro HS
7. Blake Parker, 3b/c, Arkansas
8. Daryl Maday, rhp, Arkansas
9. Brett Kinning, 2b, Arkansas State
10. Joel Boeschen, lhp, Arkansas State
Razorbacks Dominate State's Talent List
Lefthander Jarred Holloway is still the state's top prospect, but his stock has dropped a little over the course of the spring. Though he's big (6-foot-3 and 210 pounds) and strong (his fastball sits at 89-91 mph), scouts would like him to tone up his body and show good stuff on a more consistent basis. While his curveball is promising, his command needs a lot of improvement. He may not get picked high enough to divert him from Mississippi State.
First baseman Danny Hamblin profiled better as a third baseman, the position he played before damaging his right shoulder on a slide as a freshman in 2004. His arm strength hasn't come back since surgery that offseason, though he's athletic enough to possibly play the outfield as a pro. He's a solid athlete with power and speed. If Hamblin signs, his replacement at first base for the Razorbacks will be imposing 6-foot-7, 250 pound Murray Watts. The state's high school athlete of the year, Watts has tremendous lefthanded power potential and runs well for his size.
Outfielder Craig Gentry offers an impressive physical package. He's 6-foot-2, 190-pounder with speed, raw power and center-field skills. He wasn't drafted as a junior last year in part because he needed Tommy John surgery, and he missed time this spring with an infected right knee. He should go in the sixth to 10th round as a senior sign.
Arkansas Tech, an NCAA Division II program, is the home of the state's best college pitching prospect. Righthander Aubrey Miller is a 6-foot-4, 211-pounder with an 88-92 mph fastball. He could sneak into the first 10 rounds.
Outfielder DeMarcus Ingram should be at least a draft-and-follow after committing to Pensacola (Fla.) Junior College. A star at tailback for North Little Rock High's football team, he's an outstanding athlete with speed and plenty of center-field range. He's a spray hitter and some scouts have questions about him at the plate, though he does have bat speed.
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