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| 2,625 MLB PLAYERS | 16,400 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,625 MLB PLAYERS | 16,400 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Draft  | State Preview | 5/31/2017

State Snapshots: South Central

Photo: Houston Athletics/@UHCougarBB

 


Perfect Game 2017 MLB Draft Preview Index

South Atlantic
– FL, GA, NC, SC

Southeast – AL, KY, MS, TN
South Central – AR, LA, OK, TX
Mountain – AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, WY
Pacific – AK, CA, HI, OR, WA
Great Plains – IA, KS, MO, NE, ND, SD
Great Lakes – IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI
Mid-Atlantic – DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV
New England – CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT
Canada and Puerto Rico


Arkansas

BEST COLLEGE TEAM:
Arkansas
BEST JUNIOR COLLEGE TEAM: Arkansas Baptist
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Greenbrier

PROSPECT ON THE RISE: Blaine Knight, rhp, Arkansas
WILD CARD: Luke Bonfield, of, Arkansas

Top 2018 Prospect: Grant Koch, c, Arkansas
Top 2019 Prospect: Blake Adams, rhp, Springdale HS

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History:
Jeff King, 3b, Arkansas (1986, Pirates/1st round, 1st pick)

2012 Draft: Matt Reynolds, 2b, Arkansas (Mets/2nd round)
2013 Draft: Ryne Stanek, rhp, Arkansas (Rays/1st round, 29th pick)
2014 Draft: Brian Anderson, 2b, Arkansas (Marlins/4th round)
2015 Draft: Andrew Benintendi, of, Arkansas (Red Sox/1st round, 7th pick)
2016 Draft: Zach Jackson, rhp, Arkansas (Blue Jays/3rd round)

2016 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed:
 8/7
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 0/0
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 1/0

PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 500:

  • Blaine Knight, rhp, Arkansas (66)
  • Trevor Stephan, rhp, Arkansas (151)
  • Chad Spanberger, 1b, Arkansas (157)
  • Tyler Zuber, rhp, Arkansas State (436)
  • Luke Bonfield, of, Arkansas (474)
  • Paxton Wallace, 3b, Greenbrier (489)

 
Louisiana


BEST COLLEGE TEAM:
Louisiana State
BEST JUNIOR COLLEGE TEAM: LSU-Eunice
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: West Monroe

PROSPECT ON THE RISE:
Jacob Pearson, of, West Monroe

WILD CARD: Daniel Cabrera, of, Parkview Baptist HS

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Louisiana Connection:
 Cam Sanders, rhp, Northwest Florida State
Top 2018 Prospect: Christopher Willis, c, Ruston HS
Top 2019 Prospect: Zach Hess, rhp, Louisiana State

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History:
Danny Goodwin, c, Southern U. (1975, Angels/1st round, 1st pick); Ben McDonald, rhp, Louisiana State (1989, Orioles/1st round, 1st pick)

2012 Draft: Kevin Gausman, rhp, Louisiana State (Orioles/1st round, 4th pick)
2013 Draft: Ryan Eades, rhp, Louisiana State (Twins/2nd round)
2014 Draft: Aaron Nola, rhp, Louisiana State (Phillies/1st round, 7th pick)
2015 Draft: Alex Bregman, ss, Louisiana State (Astros/1st round, 2nd pick)
2016 Draft: Jake Fraley, of, Louisiana State (Rays/2nd round)

2016 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed:
28/21
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 0/0
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 3/1

PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 500:

  • Blayne Enlow, rhp, St. Amant (32)
  • Alex Lange, rhp, Louisiana State (35)
  • Jacob Pearson, of, West Monroe (70)
  • Daniel Cabrera, of, Parkview Baptist (89)
  • Greg Deichmann, of, Louisiana State (159)
  • Cole Freeman, 2b, Louisiana State (172)
  • Kramer Robertson, ss, Louisiana State (307)
  • Jared Poche, lhp, Louisiana State (420)
  • Hunter Feduccia, c, LSU-Eunice (428)
  • Hunter Kiel, rhp, Louisiana State (482)


 
Oklahoma


BEST COLLEGE TEAM:
 Oklahoma
BEST JUNIOR COLLEGE TEAM: Conners State
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Shawnee

PROSPECT ON THE RISE: Matt Whaley, c, Oral Roberts
WILD CARD: Cade Cavalli, rhp, Bixby

Top 2018 Prospect: Steele Walker, of, Oklahoma
Top 2019 Prospect: Jonathan Heasley, rhp, Oklahoma State

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History:
Mike Moore, rhp, Oral Roberts (1981, Mariners/1st round, 1st pick)

2012 Draft: Andrew Heaney, lhp, Oklahoma State (Marlins/1st round, 9th pick)
2013 Draft: Jonathan Gray, rhp, Oklahoma (Rockies/1st round, 3rd pick)
2014 Draft: Gavin LaValley, 3b, Carl Albert HS (Reds/4th round)
2015 Draft: Anthony Hermelyn, c, Oklahoma (Astros/4th round)
2016 Draft: Alec Hansen, rhp, Oklahoma (White Sox/2nd round)

2016 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed:
 19/14
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 10/6
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 2/0

PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 500:

  • Connor Uselton, of, Southmoore (50)
  • Ryan Vilade, 3b, Stillwater (62)
  • Matt Whatley, c, Oral Roberts (82)
  • Cade Cavalli, rhp, Bixby (112)
  • Mitchell Stone, lhp, Deer Creek (160)
  • Trey Cobb, rhp, Oklahoma State (277)
  • Tyler Buffet, rhp, Oklahoma State (287)
  • Garrett McCain, of, Oklahoma State (302)
  • Jake Taylor, c, Shawnee (334)
  • JB Olson, rhp, Oklahoma (447)
  • Vincenzo Aiello, rhp, Oklahoma (470)
  • Logan Gragg, rhp, Connors State (476)



Texas


BEST COLLEGE TEAM:
 Texas Tech
BEST JUNIOR COLLEGE TEAM: McLennan
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Wakeland

PROSPECT ON THE RISE: Mason House, of, Whitehouse HS
WILD CARD: Seth Romero, lhp, Houston

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Texas Connection:
 Trevor Stephen, rhp, Arkansas
Top 2018 Prospect: Luken Baker, 1b, Texas Christian
Top 2019 Prospect: Bobby Witt Jr., ss, Colleyville Heritage

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History:
David Clyde, lhp, Westchester HS, Houston (1973, Rangers/1st round, 1st pick); Matt Anderson, rhp, Rice (1997, Tigers/1st round, 1st pick)

2012 Draft: Courtney Hawkins, of, Corpus Christi Carroll HS (White Sox/1st round, 13th pick)
2013 Draft: Kohl Stewart, rhp, St. Pius X HS, Houston (Twins/1st round, 4th pick)
2014 Draft: Tyler Kolek, rhp, Shepherd HS (Marlins/1st round, 2nd pick)
2015 Draft: Trent Clark, of, Richland HS (Brewers/1st round, 15th pick)
2016 Draft: Forrest Whitley, rhp, Alamo Heights HS (Astros/1st round, 17th pick)

2016 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed:
 62/50
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 18/14
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 27/11

PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 500:

  • Shane Baz, rhp, Concordia Lutheran (9)
  • Tristen Lutz, of, Arlington Martin (38)
  • Seth Romero, lhp, Houston (40)
  • Corbin Martin, rhp, Texas A&M (42)
  • Morgan Cooper, rhp, Texas (46)
  • Alex Scherff, rhp, Colleyville Heritage (47)
  • Bryce Bonnin, rhp/ss, Barbers Hill (84)
  • Asa Lacey, lhp, Tivy (98)
  • Mason House, of, Whitehouse (99)
  • Cole Turney, of, William B. Travis (102)
  • Connor Wong, c, Houston (109)
  • Evan Skoug, c, TCU (117)
  • Austen Wade, of, TCU (125)
  • Bryce Johnson, of, Sam Houston State (136)
  • Adam Oviedo, ss, Alvarado (162)
  • Kamron Fields, of, Lakeview Centennial (166)
  • Zach DeLoach, of, Hebron (169)
  • Tylor Fischer, rhp, Langham Creek (180)
  • Glen Otto, rhp, Rice (197)
  • Kyle Johnston, rhp, Texas (202)
  • Orlando Garcia, ss, Texas Tech (209)
  • Dalton Higgins, rhp, Dallas Baptist (216)
  • Seth Elledge, rhp, Dallas Baptist (219)
  • Parker Mushinski, lhp, Texas Tech (222)
  • Jared Janczak, rhp, TCU (235)
  • Josh Breaux, c/rhp, McLennan (236)
  • Joe Gobillot, lhp, St. John’s HS (242)
  • Dane Myers, 3b/rhp, Rice (245)
  • Donny Diaz, rhp, San Jacinto (252)
  • Heston Kjerstad, of, Randall (258)
  • Brent Boswell, 3b, Texas (274)
  • Marshall Kasowski, rhp, West Texas A&M (311)
  • Tyler Ivey, rhp, Grayson (312)
  • Ryan Johnson, of, San Jacinto (319)
  • Cason Sherrod, rhp, Texas A&M (325)
  • Saul Garza, c, Edinburg North (328)
  • Blake Pflughaupt, lhp, Galveston CC (330)
  • Jacob Patterson, lhp, Texas Tech (339)
  • Isaiah Henry, of/rhp, North Shore (341)
  • Jordan Westburg, ss, New Braunfels (349)
  • Montana Pasrons, rhp, Baylor (357)
  • Lamar Sparks, rhp/of, Seven Lakes (367)
  • Jake Lyons, rhp, Weatherford (372)
  • Travis Jones, of, Texas (373)
  • Brendan Venter, 3b/1b, McLennan (378)
  • Tristan Gray, of, Rice (384)
  • Stephen Keller, rhp, Hargrave (388)
  • Jack Conlon, rhp, Clements (389)
  • Matt Duce, c, Dallas Baptist (407)
  • D’Mond LaFond, rhp, Refugio (412)
  • Russell Smith, lhp, Midlothian (416)
  • Camden Duzenack, ss, Dallas Baptist (434)
  • Mitchell Traver, rhp, TCU (448)
  • Jarod Bayless, rhp, Northeast Texas (469)
  • Nolan Brown, of, TCU (471)
  • Daniel James, rhp, UT-Arlington (475)
  • Will Olson, c, UT-Arlington (480)

Draft | Story | 9/11/2026

PG Draft: Potential Risers Into Top 50

Michael Albee
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We are in the early stages of the 2027 cycle and there is still plenty of time for players to make significant jumps up the board. While our current Top-100 provides an early look at the class, several players just outside that group have the upside to make a run at becoming Top-50 pick by next July. With that in mind, each member of the draft team each selected one college player and one prep player they believe could make the jump into the Top-50 over the course of the spring. These are the names to keep an eye on as the 2027 draft picture continues to develop. Joey’s Picks:   Jake Cueto (27 FL) goes oppo πŸ’£ on a mid-90s LonL heater. Performing at a very high level, hitting .464 with 5 homers. Excellent hit/run combo and here comes the juice! #PGHS #Miami commit @Florida_PG pic.twitter.com/g4gtml81mm — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) April 1, 2026 Prep: OF, Jake...
College | Recruiting | 9/14/2026

Class of 2026 Recruiting Rankings

Perfect Game Staff
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Tournaments | Story | 9/14/2026

Coastal Fall Battle of the Carolinas Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Deacon Hensley (2028, Zebulon, NC) stands at 6-foot-0, 165 pounds and is a left-handed hitting and throwing right fielder. Lean frame with good athleticism and additional strength likely to come with maturity. Compact swing with quick hands and good feel for the barrel. Relaxed setup with good bat speed through the zone. Good balance in the box with a direct path and solid contact skills. Hensley went 3-for-3, scoring three runs and hitting a double. Great day at the plate. Colt Funderburk (2027, Lancaster, SC) stands at 5-foot-10, 195 pounds with an athletic frame and present strength. Bats and throws left-handed. Physical hitter with a compact swing, good bat speed, and the ability to drive the ball with authority. Good pitch recognition with a disciplined approach. Quiet lower half with a controlled load and good balance. Funderburk went 2-for-4 with one double and two RBI. Cameron...
Press Release | Press Release | 9/14/2026

PG Athletes Raise North of $138,000 in August

Perfect Game Staff
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  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME ATHLETES RAISE OVER $138,000 FOR CHARITABLE PARTNERS THROUGHOUT MONTH OF AUGUST   Sanford, Florida (Monday, September 14, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that its August premier events raised a combined $138,422 for children's hospitals and charitable organizations, with 1,112 total supporters contributing across five showcases. Since 2016, Perfect Game athletes have raised over $1.8 million for various charitable causes and organizations. The annual fundraising initiative, which runs in conjunction with several of Perfect Game's marquee events each year, gives players, families and fans the opportunity to support...
College | Recruiting | 9/14/2026

Top 500 Fresh Arrivals on Campus

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It's that time of the year where the freshmen around the country start arriving on campus. Regardless of level, here are the top 500 names to make it to their school for the 2027 season.  Rank Name School High School City ST 1 Archer Horn Stanford St. Ignatius College Prep San Mateo CA 2 Noah Wilson Vanderbilt McCallie School Ooltewah TN 3 Logan Schmidt Louisiana State Ganesha Aliso Viejo CA 4 Blake Bowen Oregon State JSerra Catholic Riverside CA 5 Cole Koeninger Tennessee Keller Keller TX 6 Joseph Contreras Vanderbilt Blessed Trinity Cath Alpharetta GA 7 Bo Holloway Vanderbilt Nolensville Nolensville TN 8 James Clark Duke St. John Bosco Riverside CA 9 Malachi Washington Louisiana State Parkview Stone Mountain GA 10 Brady Harris Florida Trinity Christian Academy St. Augustine FL 11 Grayson Willoughby Kentucky Trinity Louisville KY 12 Jorvorskie Lane Jr. Arkansas Grapevine Fort Worth...
Tournaments | Story | 9/9/2026

PG Wood Bat Fall Kickoff Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Evan Thompson (‘29, AZ) showcasing the all-fields power with this ground rule double the other way. Immense power upside. Really fun offensive profile #FallKickoff https://t.co/l551KirUOf pic.twitter.com/QW0AIeg59g — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) September 7, 2026 Evan Thompson (2029, Gilbert, Ariz.) put on an offensive clinic throughout the weekend, going 8-for-13 with three extra-base hits. He capped off his MVP performance with a walkoff home run to take home the championship. Thompson is one of the premier players in the 2029 class. A fluid left-handed stroke consistently finds barrels. There is all fields power present that will only continue to develop further. It would not be a surprise if Thimpson ends up the top ranked player in the class when it is all said and done.  Chase Fillman (2028, Goodyear, Ariz.) put together a loud summer circuit and...
Draft | Story | 9/8/2026

What Profiles Are Valued Most at Top of Draft

Tyler Henninger
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The landscape of the MLB Draft continues to evolve each and every year. What teams value at the top of the draft can change based on the strength of a particular class, shifts in player development philosophy, and, perhaps most importantly, the way organizations evaluate risk and upside. Some trends are subtle, while others become impossible to ignore when viewed across multiple years. For this study, I set out to answer one question: What player profiles do teams value at the top of the draft? To answer it, I analyzed the Top-100 picks from each of the last six drafts (2021-2026). That gives us 600 total selections to examine and provides a large enough sample to identify both the profiles that have remained consistently popular and those that have gained or lost significant ground. The data was broken down by position, handedness and level to create individual player profiles. While...
General | General | 9/7/2026

First Look: Class of 2031 Rankings

Perfect Game Staff
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Draft | Story | 9/7/2026

Chubb Jones Jr. Enrolls Early

Tyler Henninger
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Harry Chubb Jones Jr. is getting an early start on the next chapter of his baseball career. The Perfect Game All-American announced Sunday that he will enroll early at the University of Alabama, giving the Crimson Tide an early addition from one of the more intriguing two-way prospects in the 2027 class. See y’all at The Joe! πŸ‘πŸΎπŸ‘πŸΎπŸ‘πŸΎ pic.twitter.com/Kn0T0mJxq7 — 6._.chubbjones (@chubb_hitter) September 6, 2026 Jones, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound SS/RHP from Georgia, was ranked No. 39 in the 2027 class and came in at No. 83 on the initial Top-100 2027 Draft Board. Chubb Jones Jr (‘27 GA) smokes this one the other way for an RBI single & we’re all level in the 6th. Adv bat speed, impacts w/ authority to all fields #PGAAC@PG_Georgia pic.twitter.com/FZ46IvYVp1 — Dick’s Sporting Goods All-American Classic (@PGAllAmerican) August 16, 2026 The McEachern...
Draft | Story | 9/7/2026

2027 MLB Draft: PG Content Hub

Tyler Henninger
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No more having to search for articles pertaining to the 2027 MLB Draft as we will keep it all centrally located here, in the PG Content Hub, leading up to the first pick next July. Tyler Henninger, Joey Cohen, Michael Albee and Ryan Miller, along with the rest of the Perfect Game staff, will continue to provide you with the latest info as it pertains to this 2027 crop.  Article Date Initial Follow List July 12 Way Too Early Mock July 13 Realistic Expectations of 1:1 August 11 Preview: Collegiate RHP August 21  Draft Board: Top 100 August 28 Way Too Early 1:1 Predictions September 4 Chubb Jones Jr. Enrolls Early September 7 Preview: Collegiate LHP September 7 What Profiles are Valued Most at Top of Draft September 9 Potential Risers Into The Top 50 September 11
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