Arkansas high school baseball preseason Super 7 rankings (2/25/2024)

The first rankings of the year

The 2023 season saw five preseason No. 1 ranked teams win state championships. Coincidentally, the top-ranked team in each classification started in the same spot last season. 

There should be more parity this season among competitive teams and ton of individual talent on display.

The 2024 class is one of the most talented in recent memory with over 80 players earning scholarships to play college baseball. We will get to see big-time matchups between top ranked teams starting next week at the Southwest Sporting Goods classic as Valley View takes on Lonoke in a field that also includes Bryant, Maumelle and Little Rock Christian.

6A

1. Springdale Har-Ber

2. Bentonville

3. Cabot

4. Rogers

5. Fayetteville

6. Rogers Heritage

7. Catholic

Har-Ber: The Wildcats captured their second state title in school history last season defeating conference rival Bentonville in the finals.

“We just figured it out and started putting together good at bats and stayed consistent,” Head coach Dustin Helmkamp said. Senior Arkansas pitching signee Ross Felder is back along with Arkansas commit Luke Cornelison, a third baseman.They have the depth offensively to repeat, the question will be pitching depth.

Bentonville: Head coach Todd Abbott has 10 seniors looking for their third straight state championship appearance. Rowen Christensen is a three-year starter at catcher. Carter Nye led the football team to the state championship game. Eli McCall and JJ Spafford anchor the middle of the lineup.

Cabot: The Panthers will look to repeat as conference champions behind the dynamic duo of Aden Velasquez and Cale Turner. The power righthanded arms are as good of a 1-2 punch in the state. Velasquez signed with UCA last fall and Turner is committed to Oklahoma State.

Rogers: Head coach Matt Melson will have to replace six starters from last year’s conference championship team. The good news is senior left-handed pitcher Ty Anderson and sophomore lefty pitcher Jake Taylor are back to lead the pitching staff. Both pitchers throw a ton of strikes and make it uncomfortable for hitters.

Fayetteville: Landon Schaeffer has been a household name since his youth travel ball playing days. He threw a no-hitter against Catholic in the state tournament last year and has gotten stronger. Classmate and fellow Razorback commit Jaison DeLamar, a University of Arkansas commit, is one of the best athletes in the state. If the Purple Dogs can be more consistent this season at the plate, they can make a run.

Rogers Heritage: Head coach Brian Walker has led the War Eagles to the semifinals the last two seasons. They started 17-2 last spring winning the Gulf Shores (Ala.) Showdown during spring break. Dillon Askew, Parker Morris and Bennett Crafton have the experience to lead this team to their first state title.

Catholic: Head coach Bryan Jones feels better about his 2024 Rockets than he did last season and Caleb Short is a big reason. Short emerged as the Rockets ace last season finishing 5-2 with six complete games and a 1.16 ERA. Air Force signee Brooks Ward is back in centerfield after earning all-state honors a year ago.

5A

1. Valley View

2. LR Christian

3. Maumelle

4. Benton

5. Batesville

6. Sylvan Hills

7. Greenwood

Valley View: Head coach Josh Allison’s message to his team in 2024 has been “one practice at a time.” The Blazers have made it to three title games in three years and are favored to make it four straight. Razorback signees Lance Davis and Eli Crecelius lead a deep pitching staff. Senior catcher Lawson Ward signed with Arizona State last fall. And senior Ole Miss signee Slade Caldwell could be the highest prep in state history selected in the MLB draft in July. The pieces are there, the Blazers just need to finish the job.

LR Christian: The Warriors will miss Reece Tarini, but the trio of Tate Collins, Jackson Kircher and Cade Bowman are more than capable of leading this team to another state title. Kircher is physically imposing at 6-foot-5 and will contribute at the plate and on the mound. Collins is a strike-throwing machine and Bowman is one of the most consistent hitters in the state with exceptional defensive ability.

Maumelle: The Hornets return their top five arms from last season’s semifinal team. Razorback signee Tag Andrews has gotten stronger and sat 92-94 mph in a recent benefit game. Junior Razorback Peyton Lee is a nice compliment with a fastball up to 93 mph and a power slider. Junior Blaize Ward committed to Missouri this past summer.

Benton: The Panthers gave Valley View a scare in the state tournament last spring and return a talented group in 2024. Arkansas commit Marcus Bates is smooth at shortstop and Elias Payne, a standout receiver on the football team, can run down anything in the outfield. Benton will have to produce runs at a higher clip to win the 5A South and make a run in the state tournament.

Batesville: Arkansas commit Mark Brissey is back along with RHP Beau Baxter. They will be relied upon to knock Valley View off their perch in the 5A-East. Conner Cunningham signed with Murray State in the fall and is one of the better shortstops in the state.

Sylvan Hills: The Bears were disappointing last season but expect them to rebound in 2024. Razorback commit Landon Carter moved over from North Little Rock. Classmate Caleb Harrison is one of the top arms in the 2026 class and senior Alex Davis is a two-way threat on the mound and at the plate.

Greenwood: The defending 5A-West champions have top-of-the-line arms in Grant Karnes and Austin Mitchell. Mitchell was the Bulldogs’ closer last season and Karnes was SBLive Newcomer of the year last season. Head coach Brandon Brewer has a talented group of newcomers that will get playing time this season.

4A

1. Lonoke

2. Ashdown

3. Brookland

4. Robinson

5. Morrilton

6. Gravette

7. Nashville

Lonoke: The Rabbits return the “Fab Five” as they look to repeat as state champions. Seniors Steele Eaves, Cole Spears, Cutter Colvert, Jaxson Ingle and Tripp Sullivan will all play baseball in college but have unfinished business before leaving Lonoke. Eaves led the state in wins and strikeouts last year while Spears, Ingle and Colvert earned SBLive All Arkansas honors and Sullivan has worked on his command in the offseason.

Ashdown: Junior shortstop Walt Jones committed to Arkansas over the summer after a solid showcase circuit. Caleb Blankenship returns behind the plate and is one of six seniors on the roster. Ashdown’s late season run gave the momentum that will carry over to this season.

Brookland: Seniors Weston Speir and Griffin Duvall are three-year starters for the Bearcats. Jake Reece returns with experience on the mound. Brookland loaded up their schedule once again to ready themselves for the postseason. If this group does not have the adversity of last year’s group, they can challenge Lonoke.

Robinson: Logan Eichler is one of the top arms in the 2026 class. He developed into the Senators’ ace last season and has increased his velocity in the offseason. Driftin Ladd provides power in the middle of the lineup. Robinson is the challenger for Lonoke in the 4A-5 conference.

Morrilton: The Mike Lee era begins after former coach Matt Long retired after the 2023 season. Lee, the longtime Bryant High School athletic director, came to Morrilton to be the district’s maintenance director but accepted the coaching role after Long retired and former UCA head coach Allen Gum took the job only to have a change of heart.

Long left the cupboard well stocked with seniors Luke Carner and Duncan Blakeley. Carner signed with UCA in the fall and Blakeley hit a home run against Robinson in last year’s state tournament. Junior Caden Meeler earned a spot on the SBLive Newcomer team last year after a tremendous year on the mound that featured a no-hitter.

Gravette: The Lions were the surprise team last season making it to the semifinals. They wont surprise anyone this year in the tough 4A-1 conference that features Farmington, Huntsville, Shiloh Christian and Prairie Grove. Senior Hunter Roughton returns to take his team a step further this season.

Nashville: Sophomore Karson Chambers was one of the best arms in the state last year in his class. When the Scrappers needed a win, they turned to him. Nashville made it to the regional finals last year and lost to Brookland in the opening round of the state tournament.

3A

1. Harding Academy

2. Central Arkansas Christian

3. Rivercrest

4. Booneville

5. Harmony Grove Ouachita County

6. Gosnell

7. Bismarck

Harding Academy: The Wildcats do not rebuild, they reload. Kyler Hoover signed with Harding in the fall and returns at shortstop. His brother, junior second baseman Kam Hoover, also returns along with catcher Isaac Baker. While the Wildcats will miss Kade Smith and Levi Lang. Head coach Shane Fullerton said last season his group of underclassmen will continue to provide depth and keep their championship streak going.

CAC: Arkasnas football commit Grayson Wilsonm a blue-chip quarterback, could very well pitch for the Hogs baseball team if he focused on baseball. Senior Webb Watson signed with Memphis in the fall and is one of the top outfielders in the state. Harrison Richmond provides depth on the mound. The Mustangs have eight seniors on this year’s team.

Rivercrest: The Colts will make more noise now that they have a home park to play in this season. Conner Vaughn recently signed with UA-Little Rock and swings it well from the left side. A return trip to the state finals is not out of the question with this group.

Booneville: The Bearcats return a lot of familiar faces this season. Harding University football signee Dax Goff hit .556 last season with double-digit home runs. Jace Washburn will be relied upon to carry the pitching staff this season. The right draw in the state tournament can be beneficial for this group.

Harmony Grove Ouachita County: The Hornets have been regular season warriors in each of the last two seasons only to fall short of the state tournament. Caleb Johnson returns and will play football and baseball in college. Mason Morgan had double digit wins on the mound. Javion Gill provides senior leadership.

Gosnell: The Pirates have been a threat most years whether in 3A or 4A. I like junior Chad Stewart behind the plate. He has good defensive actions and swings it well at the plate. Experience will be key this year as the Pirates have nine seniors on the roster.

Bismarck: The Lions finished 18-6 last season and second in the 3A-7 conference. They fell to eventual champion Harding Academy in the semifinals. I expect them to make a similar run this season as their conference is the toughest in 3A.

2A

1. Woodlawn

2. Episcopal

3. Palestine-Wheatley

4. Mansfield

5. Carlisle

6. Bigelow

7. Greenland

Woodlawn: The “Baseball Factory” in south Arkansas keeps rolling along with no stopping in site. Tate Hall and Jayden Wilmoth are two key pieces that could bring the Bears another state championship. Hall is one of the top pitchers in 2A and Wilmoth gets it done behind the plate and with his bat.

Episcopal: The Wildcats accomplished a few “firsts” last year. First conference title, first state tournament win and first semifinal appearance. Hunter Grumbles will take over as the ace of the pitching staff for coach Eddie Stephenson.

Palestine-Wheatley: Cinderella almost pulled off one of the biggest upsets last season but fell short. It was a magical run that looks to be repeated in 2024 with their entire roster back.

Mansfield: The Tigers won their conference last year and finished as regional runner-up to Greenland. A loaded senior class that includes pitcher Trey Vaughan and shortstop Peyton Martin has the Tigers looking for another 20-win season.

Carlisle: Zach Busick is now pitching for the Little Rock Trojans, but Dalton Ward and Jonathan Pickard Jr. are back along with LHP Holden Jones. Coach Steven Tew expects this team to take the next step after an early exit in regional play last season.

Bigelow: The Panthers to make another run to the state championship game after winning the 2A state championship in basketball last spring. However, they ran into a hot Sloan-Hendrix team and that was it. Carter Alexander and Rhett Neumeier lead a group of talented newcomers as they look to win a state championship in a fourth sport for the Panthers.

Greenland: A good mix of veterans and newcomers took the Pirates to a regional championship last season. Brandon Vaughn and Jack Stockton return after impressive sophomore campaigns. A freshman to keep an eye on is Brooks Baxendale, younger brother of current Razorback coach DJ Baxendale.

1A

1. Taylor

2. Nemo Vista

3. St. Joseph

4. Viola

5. Norfork

6. West Side GF

7. Mount Ida

Taylor: Taylor has become “Titletown USA” for softball and baseball in this decade. The baseball Tigers can make it three straight championships in 2024. They will miss the Smith brothers, but Waylen Woodell and Mason Lindsey return along with a large sophomore group.

Nemo Vista: The Red Hawks would likely be two-time defending state champions if not for the Taylor Tigers. Seniors Sam Hart and Jax Andrews are returning pieces that give this team a shot in a tougher conference.

St. Joseph: Another team eliminated by Taylor last season; the Bulldogs tied Nemo Vista for the conference crown last season. I really like Nicolas French on the mound. He gives them a chance to beat any team in 1A.

Viola: The first of three members from vaunted 1A-2 conference. Braden Williams, Gavin Blevins and Garrett Templeton are now seniors and looking to get the Longhorns back to the state championship.

Norfork: The “Party Crashers” moniker began in 2022 and is still going strong for Ethan Davis’s team. Some of the underclassmen that put Norfork on the map in 2022 are team leaders now. Cory Jines, Coty Foster and Erik Foster are believers that this team can go as far as any Norfork team before them.

West Side GF: Head coach Shane Davis’s team spent most of 2023 right behind Taylor in our Super 7 rankings before losing to Mount Ida in the state tournament. Another 20-win season is expected for this tradition rich program.

Mount Ida: The Lions made their first trip to the state finals in 2023 and should compete with Taylor in their region this spring. A team known for their offense will look to replace key starter from last year’s 1A runner up. 

--Kevin Bohannon | @SBLiveArk