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| 2,596 MLB PLAYERS | 16,395 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,596 MLB PLAYERS | 16,395 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Draft  | State Preview | 5/23/2018

State Snapshots: South Central

Photo: Grayson Rodriguez (Perfect Game)

 


Perfect Game 2018 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: Har-Ber

Prospect on the Rise: Blaine Knight, rhp, Arkansas
Wild Card: Isaiah Campbell, rhp, Arkansas

Top 2019 Prospect: Dominic Fletcher, of, Arkansas
Top 2020 Prospect: Heston Kjerstad, of, Arkansas

Highest Draft Picks

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

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)
2017 Draft: Tyler Zuber, rhp, Arkansas State (Royals/6th round)

2017 Draft Overview

College Players Drafted/Signed:
 12/10
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 0/0
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 0/0

Prospects in the Top 500:

• Blaine Knight, rhp, Arkansas (81)
• Isaiah Campbell, rhp, Arkansas (105)
• Jaden Hill, rhp, Ashdown HS (125)
• Grant Koch, c, Arkansas (166)
• Eric Cole, of, Arkansas (251)
• PJ Hilson, of, Nettleton HS (265)
• Kacey Murphy, lhp, Arkansas (267)
• Tyler Gray, rhp, Central Arkansas (349)
• Wade Beasley, rhp, Horatio HS (369)
• Kaleb Hill, lhp, Watson Chapel HS (374)
• Jax Biggers, ss, Arkansas (457)


Louisiana


Best College Team:
Louisiana State
Best Junior College Team: LSU-Eunice
Best High School Team: John Curtis Christian

Prospect on the Rise:
Nick Lee, rhp, Louisiana
Wild Card: Zach Watson, of, Louisiana State

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Louisiana Connection:
 Travis Swaggerty, of, South Alabama
Top 2019 Prospect: Cade Doughty, ss, Denham Springs HS
Top 2020 Prospect: Daniel Cabrera, of, 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)

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)
2017 Draft: Alex Lange, rhp, Louisiana State (Cubs/1st round, 30th pick)

2017 Draft Overview

College Players Drafted/Signed:
25/23
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 0/0
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 4/2

Prospects in the Top 500:

• Nick Lee, rhp, Louisiana (85)
• Zach Watson, of, LSU (90)
• Landon Marceaux, rhp, Destrehan HS (98)
• Hogan Harris, lhp, Louisiana (120)
• Christopher Willis, c, Ruston HS (151)
• Zack Hess, rhp, LSU (155)
• Hunter Feduccia, c, LSU (224)
• Basiel Williams, of, Ponchatoula HS (254)
• Grant Witherspoon, of, Tulane (304)
• Antoine Duplantis, of, LSU (315)
• Will Ripoll, rhp, John Curtis Christian HS (413)
• Logan Stoelke, rhp, Louisiana (417)
• Destin Dotson, lhp, Scottlandville HS (463)
• Caleb Gilbert, rhp, LSU (489)


Oklahoma


Best College Team:
 Oklahoma State
Best Junior College Team: Connors State
Best High School Team: Blanchard

Prospect on the Rise: Kyler Murray, of, Oklahoma
Wild Card: Kyler Murray, of, Oklahoma

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Oklahoma Connection: Jackson Goddard, rhp, Kansas
Top 2019 Prospect: Nathan Wiles, rhp, Oklahoma
Top 2020 Prospect: Nate Wohlegemuth, rhp, Owasso HS

Highest Draft Picks

Draft History:
Mike Moore, rhp, Oral Roberts (1981, Mariners/1st round, 1st 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)
2017 Draft: Conner Uselton, of, Southmoore HS (Pirates/2nd round)

2017 Draft Overview

College Players Drafted/Signed:
 17/14
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 5/3
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 7/4

Prospects in the Top 500:

• Steele Walker, of, Oklahoma (38)
• Kyler Murray, of, Oklahoma (97)
• Jonathan Heasley, rhp, Oklahoma State (124)
• Jake Irvin, rhp, Oklahoma (127)
• Cade Harris, of, Oklahoma (399)
• Austin Hansen, rhp, Oklahoma (323)
• Gunner Halter, ss/rhp, Seminole State (389)


Texas


Best College Team:
 Texas Tech
Best Junior College Team: San Jacinto
Best High School Team: Argyle

Prospect on the Rise: Grayson Rodriguez, rhp, Central Heights HS
Wild Card: Steven Gingery, lhp, Texas Tech

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Texas Connection:
 Steele Walker, of, Oklahoma
Top 2019 Prospect: Bobby Witt Jr., ss, Colleyville Heritage HS
Top 2020 Prospect: Tanner Witt, ss, Episcopal HS

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)

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)
2017 Draft: Shane Baz, rhp, Concordia Lutheran HS (Pirates/1st round, 12th pick)

2017 Draft Overview

College Players Drafted/Signed:
 71/66
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 19/12
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 24/12

Prospects in the Top 500:

• Grayson Rodriguez, rhp, Central Heights HS (22)
• Jordan Groshans, ss/3b, Magnolia HS (49)
• Adam Kloffenstein, rhp, Magnolia HS (52)
• Jameson Hannah, of, Dallas Baptist (57)
• Aaron Hernandez, rhp, Texas A&M Corpus Christi (77)
• Jonathan Childress, lhp, Forney HS (82)
• Mason Montgomery, lhp, Leander HS (83)
• Durbin Feltman, rhp, TCU (84)
• Steven Gingery, lhp, Texas Tech (86)
• Sean Wymer, rhp, TCU (91)
• Simeon Woods Richardson, rhp, Kempner HS (101)
• Mitchell Kilkenny, rhp, Texas A&M (110)
• Luken Baker, 1b, TCU (113)
• Max Marusak, of, Amarillo HS (119)
• Korey Holland, of, Langham Creek HS (126)
• Ty Madden, rhp, Cypress Ranch HS (134)
• Josh Breaux, c/rhp, McLennan JC (136)
• Nolan Kingham, rhp, Texas (139)
• Grant Little, of, Texas Tech (146)
• Ford Proctor, ss, Rice (149)
• Davis Martin, rhp, Texas Tech (156)
• Braxton Ashcraft, rhp, Robinson HS (183)
• Trey Dillard, rhp, San Jacinto JC (198)
• Mateo Gil, ss/rhp, Timber Creek HS (208)
• Caleb Kilian, rhp, Texas Tech (215)
• Mason Englert, rhp, Forney HS (223)
• Blair Henley, rhp, Texas (236)
• Joseph Menefee, lhp, George Ranch HS (241)
• Hunter Watson, 3b, Pottsboro HS (242)
• Matt Rudis, rhp, Madisonville HS (246)
• Brandon Birdsell, rhp, Willis HS (258)
• Bo Blessie, rhp, Lee HS (260)
• Zack Phillips, lhp, Grayson JC (270)
• Kody Clemens, 2b, Texas (298)
• Jack Neely, rhp, Chruchill HS (334)
• Josh Watson, of, TCU (355)
• Braydon Fisher, rhp, Clear Falls HS (363)
• Tyler McKay, rhp, Howard JC (371)
• Aaron Fletcher, lhp, Houston (377)
• George Janca, ss, Texas A&M (405)
• Devlin Granberg, of, Dallas Baptist (408)
• Trey Cumbie, lhp, Houston (410)
• Matt Willrodt, rhp, Cisco JC (416)
• Jared Janczak, rhp, TCU (443)
• Noah Vaughan, of/1b, UT-Arlington (488)



Draft | Story | 8/11/2026

Realistic Expectations of a 1:1 Pick

Tyler Henninger
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Over the 2026 draft cycle, UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky was the projected No. 1 pick throughout the entire cycle. White Sox fans began #RochWatch and were already talking about when he will make it to Chicago. Now that he has been selected, Cholowsky has immediately become a Top-10 prospect in all of baseball. There is no denying the hype, and the pressure, for Chowlosky to get to the big leagues and produce at a high level.  But how realistic is that? Let’s take a look back at past 1:1 selections and see what you can expect from a No. 1 overall selection.  For this exercise, we’ll look at No. 1 overall picks from the bonus pool era, excluding Eli Willits from 2025 since this is his first full year of pro ball. That gives us 13 players selected from 2012 through 2024.  Almost All Become Big Leaguers The first thing that stands out is how successful No. 1 picks...
All American Game | Story | 8/15/2026

A Philly Dream for Steingall

Jim Salisbury
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PHILADELPHIA – Carson Steingall had been to Citizens Bank Park many times over the years. After all, he hails from Nazareth, Pa., about 90 minutes up the road from the home of the Philadelphia Phillies and he counts himself as a big fan of the team. Zack Wheeler is his favorite. Steingall realized a dream when he pitched from the same mound that Wheeler does in Perfect Game’s fourth annual All-Star Game for rising sophomores and juniors on Friday. The dream got even better when Steingall, a 16-year-old right-hander, was named Most Valuable Pitcher after striking out the side in the third inning of the National team’s 6-1 victory over the American team. “It’s just an honor to be here,” Steingall said after receiving his trophy. “This event is the best of the best. It’s really cool to win something like this.” Steingall, who’ll...
Showcase | Story | 8/13/2026

PG Honors Pat Gillick With Philly Showcase

Perfect Game Staff
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Perfect Game to honor Pat Gillick in new Philadelphia Showcase  By Maya Heyman Perfect Game is bringing its elite showcase experience to Philadelphia’s FDR Park for the inaugural Philly Stars/Pat Gillick Showcase this weekend, honoring one of the greatest executives in MLB history in the city where he constructed his final of three World Series winners. The event will take place on Sunday, the same day as the DICK’S All-American Classic, taking place just across the street at Citizens Bank Park.  The showcase will allow Philadelphia-area players to gain exposure and will also honor Gillick, who has been a tremendous influence in both professional and amateur baseball.   Jered Goodwin, Vice President of Scouting Operations for Perfect Game, said the idea came naturally.  “Going to Philly made a lot of sense to honor Pat Gillick, who's been a...
General | General | 8/13/2026

PG All-Star Game Heads to Philly

Jheremy Brown
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For the fourth time since its inception in 2023, two rosters comprised of the best rising juniors (and a handful of rising sophomores) will step out onto the field Friday afternoon, kicking off the All-American weekend. While the Perfect Game All-American Classic is slated for a 1:35 first pitch at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, 36 future hopefuls of the Classic will go up against one another in an American vs National clash at 11 AM Eastern, Friday morning.  With 36 players from across the country descending on Philadelphia, there will be plenty of familiar names in attendance as 24 of the 36 played in at least one PG Select Festival and all 36 attended either the he Sophomore National, Junior National, or the PG Underclass All-American Games this summer. Leading the charge are a pair of No. 1s in 2028 dynamic talent Dexter McCleon Jr and 2029 Macgraw VanWormer, a do-it-all...
Tournaments | Championship | 8/12/2026

Pokers Rally to Capture 16U BCS Title

Alyssa Golden
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Pokers Rally to Capture 16U BCS Title A hot afternoon at JetBlue Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida ended in a 9-1 victory for the Original Florida Pokers 2028 National, defeating SBA Bolts Florida 2028 National on Monday to capture the 16U BCS National Championship. A pitchers’ duel kept the game scoreless through four innings before the Pokers broke it open with a five-run fifth inning. The title marked the Pokers’ second 16U BCS Championship, adding to the championship they won in 2022. Despite a slow start to the summer, the Pokers found their stride at the right time. “We struggled a lot early in the summer, but the past few tournaments we really started turning it on,” Pokers head coach Will McCrimon said. “I’m just so proud of these kids.” Max Maynes started the game on the mound for the Pokers. The left-hander allowed three hits and two walks...
Press Release | Press Release | 8/11/2026

Perfect Game & Goat'd Come Together

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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 AND GOAT'D PARTNER TO BRING PREMIUM PROTECTIVE GEAR TO THE NATION'S TOP AMATEUR BASEBALL PLAYERS   Sanford, Florida (Tuesday, August 11, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced a new partnership with Goat'd, a premium protective gear brand focused on developing innovative products for athletes. The partnership will bring Goat'd's premium protective equipment to some of the nation's top amateur baseball players and families across Perfect Game's premier national events. The partnership will debut at several of Perfect Game's marquee events, including the 13U Select Fest, 14U Select Fest, Perfect Game All-Star Game and...
General | General | 8/8/2026

12U Game Time: 8/9/2026 1PM Eastern

Perfect Game Staff
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Sunday August 9th, 2026 1:00PM Eastern DICK'S Sporting Goods Park at East Cobb West vs. East Follow and watch the game
General | General | 8/8/2026

11U Game Time: 8/8/2026 Noon Eastern

Perfect Game Staff
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Saturday August 8th, 2026 12:00PM Eastern DICK'S Sporting Goods Park at East Cobb West vs. East Follow and watch the game
Draft | Story | 8/7/2026

2026 MLB Draft Team Reports: NL West

Tyler Henninger
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2026 MLB Draft Team Report Cards: AL West With the 2026 MLB Draft officially in the books, it’s time to evaluate how each team performed. Every draft class was graded using the standard 20-80 scouting scale with risk factor assigned. While these grades won’t be proven right or wrong for years, they reflect the overall talent, value, and upside each organization added to its system. NL West Arizona Diamondbacks  Grade: 50 Risk: High Notable Selections: C Ryder Helfrick (1st rd) | RHP Blake Bryant (CB-A rd) | SS Carson Kerce (2nd rd) | OF Brayden Dowd (3rd rd)  Ryder Helfrick (@RazorbackBSB ) different AB; same result. He goes dead central for a solo 💣 this time. Threw a runner out earlier; 1.98 pop. #PGCollege @PG_Draft https://t.co/kW7wraqExJ pic.twitter.com/SARYKxd0oE — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) February 14, 2026 The Diamondbacks started their...
College | Story | 8/7/2026

Cape Cod League Notebook: August 7

Perfect Game Staff
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RHP Jason Flores (@BaseballUGA) Showed some electric stuff, up to 98 several times CT, SL, CH to round out the arsenal in his 5IP 9K performance. @HarwichMariners So./‘27 elig pic.twitter.com/p2nTvkFnWh — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) August 5, 2026 Jason Flores | RHP | University of Georgia | Harwich Mariners  Flores heads to Georgia this fall looking to reestablish himself as one of the premier arms in the 2027 draft class after showing significant promise during his freshman season at Texas. Flores posted a 2.78 ERA over 32.1 innings as a freshman before a limited sophomore campaign in which he logged just 12 innings. The stuff was on full display this summer, highlighted by a dominant five-inning, nine-strikeout playoff performance in which he touched 98 mph five different times. His fastball averaged nearly 96 mph throughout his time on the Cape, pairing the...
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