Prep Baseball Report

PBR AR 2023 Rankings Update


Brian Walker and Scott Hood
Arkansas Staff

After a full slate of preseason events with 3 Preseason ID's and our Preseason All-state, as well as our scouts being out chasing prospects early in the season, we tackle an updating of the 2023 Rankings.  The list is loaded with Division 1 commits with 15 of the top 20 finding themselves heading to Division 1 campuses and 7 more outside of the top 20.  It isn't just about the D-1 commits that makes this class strong with multiple guys signing to JUCO's that will be heavy follows over the next couple of years.  Today we take a look at the updated Top 10 as well as dive deeper into a couple of prospects that are off to fast starts, big rankings movers, and a newcomer making his debut to the list.

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THE TOP 10

1 Charlie Carter AR Little Rock Christian 2023 C Oklahoma State
2 Ty Waid AR Arkansas High School (Texarkana) 2023 3B Arkansas
3 Jake Jones AR Benton 2023 RHP Central Arkansas
4 Martavius Thomas AR Camden Fairview 2023 CF Arkansas
5 Kade Smith AR Harding Academy 2023 OF Arkansas
6 Hutson Guinn AR Greene County Tech 2023 3B Louisiana Tech
7 Reece Tarini AR Little Rock Christian 2023 LHP Louisiana Tech
8 David Sorg AR Southside 2023 3B Oklahoma
9 Kyler Spencer AR Conway 2023 3B Arkansas
10 Ty Durham AR Bentonville West 2023 OF Southern Miss

 

MOVERS, NEWCOMERS, AND HOT STARTERS

 

 

Ty Waid 3B / C / Arkansas High School (Texarkana), AR / 2023

Waid retains his spot as the number 2 ranked player in the spot but his hot start to the spring campaign has not gone unnoticed.  Pitching staffs have been ultra careful with Waid early on in the season but that hasn't stopped him from doing significant damage in his limited opportunities.  Waid is currently 6-11 through 8 games with 10 RBI and 5 homers.  What might be even more impressive is his 17 walks taken already showing excellent plate discipline and the ability to not miss his pitch when he's getting it.  The Arkansas commit has also shined on the mound where he's worked 13.1 innings so far scattering 7 hits and picking up 24 strikeouts.  It's tough to argue that there is anyone hotter in the Natural State than Waid is right now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jake Jones RHP / C / Benton, AR / 2023

Jones sees a rise in the rankings to the number three spot and the top ranked arm in Arkansas after seeing another velocity jump now working in to the low 90's and racking up strikeouts in a hurry.  The UCA commit has a tough over the top arm slot that gives the fastball some serious ride through the zone and making it tough for hitters to get on plane.  With his physical frame and live arm, look for Jones to continue to make some noise throughout the spring for Benton and will be a fun follow over the next couple of years.

 

 

 

 

Reece Tarini LHP / OF / Little Rock Christian , AR / 2023

Tarini works his way into the top 10 landing at number 7 overall showing more pitchability and missing bats in a big way so far this spring.  The La Tech commit has racked up punch outs in bunches so far in 2023 thanks to his unique delivery and arm action and a mid to upper 80's fastball paired with a short slider with depth and a fading changeup to make hitters uncomfortable.  

 

 

 

 

 

Ty Durham OF / SS / Bentonville West, AR / 2023

Durham slides into the Top 10 as one of the most athletic prospects in the State and his hot start to the spring season working as Bentonville West's leadoff man.  Currently the Southern Miss commit is 14-31 with 8 of those 14 hits coming in extra base fashion.  He's got 2 doubles, 5 triples, and a homer making him a serious offensive threat when you factor in his 6.3 speed.

 

 

 

 

Gael Salinas / Rogers, AR / 2023

Salinas enters the rankings for the first time landing at number 35 in the State Rankings.  Salinas has a knack for finding barrels and driving in runs in the middle of the Mounties lineup.  He's currently 9-11 with 11 RBI and 2 doubles and triple showing his strong ability to hit with runners in scoring position while manning the hot corner.  The Frontier CC commit will continue to be relied upon to be a run producing force for the Mounties and should be a heavy follow in junior college.

 

 

 

 

 

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