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College  | Recruiting  | 11/16/2020

Head of the Class: No. 3 Arkansas

John McAdams     
Photo: Drew Gray (Perfect Game)
Recruiting Rankings |  2021 High School Player Rankings | Recruiting Database


No. 3 Arkansas
 
Full 2021-2022 Recruiting Class
 Head Coach: Dave Van Horn | Recruiting Coordinator: Nate Thompson
 
Top 5 Recruits:



Rk. Name POS. HT WT B-T High School Hometown ST
36 Drew Gray OF/LHP 6-3 180 L-L IMG Academy Swansea IL
40 Braylon Bishop OF 6-1 196 L-L Arkansas Texarkana AR
56 Maxwell Muncy SS 6-1 170 R-R Thousand Oaks Camarillo CA
82 Brady Tygart RHP 6-3 195 R-R Lewisburg Hernando MS
103 Vincent Trapani RHP 6-1 215 R-R Memorial Eau Claire WI

*Rk. Denotes National Rank in PG HS Class of 2021


Head Coach Dave Van Horn and his staff’s annual place amongst the top 10 recruiting classes in the nation dates back to 2017 and this talent laden class is no different by checking in at #3 in 2021. With the expectations of competing year in and year out in the SEC, the aptly named Omaha Hogs have taken their spot as a pretty good bet to end their season in the College World Series. The Razorbacks were off to an 11-5 record before the cancellation of the remainder of the season took place. The coaching staff at Arkansas is always in the mix for the top talent they identify as good fits for the program.

This year’s class is led by a pair of Perfect Game All American Classic participants in intriguing two-way prospect Drew Gray (2021, Swansea, IL) and dynamic in-state OF Braylon Bishop (2021, Texarkana, Ark.). Gray has legitimate two-way potential that very well could see him pitch on Friday nights, while also solidifying a place within the lineup on days he does not pitch. Blessed with a 92 mile per hour fastball and a couple secondary offerings that generate tons of swing-and-misses, Gray has the potential to become Arkansas next big-time pitching prospect under Pitching Coach Matt Hobbs. The athleticism will allow for the opportunity for his two-way ability to continue into the college rankings as he is a 6.7 runner in the 60-yard dash and shows plenty of bat-to-ball skills at the plate.

For those that have not seen the uber-athletic Bishop live would be hard pressed to find a potentially more dynamic speed and power combo among prospects. The tools that he possesses rival anyone in the class and the near limitless upside is something to dream on. The Arkansas native is a 6.5 runner, throws 92 from outfield and has immense power potential at the plate. Bishop has hit some of the more prodigious homers that our scouting staff has seen in recent memory and there is some things that need to be refined as Bishop makes his way to the next level. Ultimately, if these two can get to campus, the consistent run of appearances in the Omaha will surely continue.

Pitching and plenty of it is key when trying to navigate the weekly load of games within a college season and Pitching Coach Matt Hobbs has a track record of taking high risk, high reward arms and making them potential stars once they leave campus. This year is no different with a trio of arms from various locations throughout the country. Brady Tygart (2021, Hernando, MS) is a strongly built right-hander that has been up to 95 mph with his fastball and creates a pretty uncomfortable at-bat for any hitter. Tygart is a high energy type guy that has immense arm talent and will continue to get better as he gets on campus. The difference maker for Tygart is the ability to tunnel his full-mix well, mixing in sweeping slider and faded changeup effectively to go with the high-octane fastball.

Wisconsin native Vincent Trapani (2021, Eau Claire, WI) is a physical right-hander with a starter’s arsenal. The 6-foot-1, 215 pound Trapani possesses plenty of power within his frame, while running his fastball up to 95 mph and flashing a high spin rate slider that generates tons of awkward swings. Trapani has slightly less refining to do than other pitchers within the class and could be an immediate impact power arm should he make it to campus.

Finishing off the trio is an intriguing left-handed pitcher that could be the true darling of this class once all is said and done. Hagen Smith (2021, Bullard, TX) has a prototypical pitchers frame with long levers and high upside as he recovers from an arm injury. When fully healthy, Smith is absolutely electric on the mound with lots of angle on his fastball that was up to 93 mph before the injury. The slider possessed by Smith is a true banger with hard bite and tons of swing-and-miss capability. Adding this type of arm to a recruiting class regardless of the injury or not could be a key factor in Coach Van Horn and his Hogs gracing the CWS for years to come.

Maxwell Muncy (2021, Camarillio, CA) and Gabe D'Arcy (2021, San Clemente,CA) bring a West Coast feel to this recruiting class with high level tools, advanced instincts and polish within their game that should bode well for this classes future success on the field. Muncy is a twitchy defender with advanced actions in the dirt and plenty of versatility and arm to man any spot in the infield. An advanced approach at the plate with the ability to spray line drives all over the field should allow for him to produce consistently should he be called upon within the lineup. D’Arcy comes from a JSerra Catholic program that is no stranger to producing high level talent that litter the top programs in the nation. The strongly built D’Arcy runs well for his size (6.6 runner in the 60) with good instincts and routes to run down fly balls in all three outfield spots. He may be best suited for right field as his size may dictate but there is potential for a high average hitter that grows into his power potential as he gets to school. At the plate, D’Arcy uses a short, compact stroke that attributes to a high contact rate and the ability to use all fields effectively.

Rounding out the potential impact performers is a trio of position players that will contribute in many ways throughout their college careers. Big-bodied backstop Max Soliz (2021, Madison, AL) has immense power potential at the plate and a big arm behind the dish. Getting onto campus will be integral for Soliz as the catch-and-throw skill set needs some refining but the overall strength and size combo is something any coach would love to mold. Athletic infielder Peyton Stovall (2021, Haughton, LA) has tremendous upside on both sides of the ball and could provide positional versatility by being more than capable of playing all three infield spots. At the plate, the smooth left-handed hitting Stovall flashes consistent bat-to-ball skills with juice to the gaps and the ability to manipulate the barrel. Not to be forgotten by any means is Drake Varnado (2021, Port Neches, TX). Varnado brings intriguing all-around tools across the board with fluid actions in the infield and tons of offensive upside at the plate. The Lone Star state native continues to improve each time out and will surely be a name to continue to watch grow as he gets on campus.
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