Arkansas' best high school baseball players: Meet the state's top first basemen
SBLive has been looking at the best baseball players in Arkansas. Today, we feature one of the corner infield spots at first base. Typically, first basemen are power hitters and known for their hitting prowess. This group of young men cannot only hit, they can defend, and some have gotten it done on the mound as well. Players that play multiple positions might be featured on other lists throughout the season. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list as there are hundreds of great pitchers statewide.
Kolby Webb | Cabot | SR
Webb transformed himself over the last couple of years and was a real threat in the Panthers lineup this season. The senior saved his best for his last season hitting .394 with 5 homeruns and 29 runs batted in. He had 17 walks to only 11 strikeouts.
Cole Kitchens |Bentonville West | SR
Kitchens announced his presence with authority last summer for the Prospects Platinum team, and that carried over into his senior season. In the PBR Jamboree, he launched a grand slam against Farmington and had seven runs batted in as the Wolverines rolled to an early season victory. Kitchens has the prototypical size for a first baseman at 6-foot-3 and long arms. Cole has signed with national powerhouse Crowder (Mo.) Junior College.
Ty Frakes | Rogers | SR
The Eastern Oklahoma signee has been a huge part of the Mounties two-year run at the top of the 6A-West. Frakes was a key member of the 2021 6A championship team and this year’s conference championship team. One of the highlights of the season was Frakes hitting a grand slam at US Ballpark in Springfield back in April in Rogers 12-4 win. I expect him to fit right in at nationally ranked Eastern.
Travis Gentry | West Side Greers Ferry | SR
Gentry made a name for himself his first year of high school baseball by hitting .542 and never looked back. The Eagles were No. 1 for most of the season and Gentry led the offense hitting over .500 once again. The two-sport athlete leaves West Side as one of the most decorated athletes in school history.
Dylan Kight | Marion | SR
Dylan cross trained as the Patriots catcher this season and led them to the 5A state title. Kight seemed to always come through at the biggest moments for the Patriots. In the semifinals, Kight had a big RBI triple. Kight also took care of one of the state’s best pitching staffs in Armstrong, Gerard and Watson. Dylan has signed with UA-Rich Mountain.
Cole Branson | Star City | SR
Branson powered Star City to the state tournament this season and a runner-up finish in the tough 8-4A conference. Branson was a Swiss army knife for the Bulldogs and did big things on the gridiron as well. Branson provided leadership to a young team and set the stage for a big 2023 season.
Zanuel Martin | Elkins | JR
Martin had a huge year for the Elks hitting .391 with an on base percentage of .477. He has 3 homeruns and 42 runs batted in as Elkins made another run to the state tournament.
Stephon Gryskiewicz | Bentonville | JR
Pitchers get a little uneasy at the sight of the 6-5, 260-pound power lefty. He had 3 runs batted in in the 6A championship game, and I expect more in 2023 as he can be a threat on the mound as well. In a recent event, the lefty was up to 91 mph. I love his swing and his approach at the plate. Gryskiewicz is committed to Arkansas State.
Hunter Rook | Ouachita | JR
Rook was the cleanup hitter for the Warriors and doubled as their closer down the stretch. Rook had a hot start through the first two months of the season slashing .458/.559/.583. Ouachita head coach Anthony Nail raved about Rook’s ability to get the offense going in key moments during the season. With the Warriors moving up to 2A next season, Rook will be relied upon to take on an even bigger role.
Andrew Johnston | Episcopal | JR
The Wildcats were rejuvenated in 2022 and Johnston led the offense hitting .406 with 3 home runs and 23 runs batted in. His on base percentage was a whopping .556 on the season. After finishing 3rd in conference play, the Wildcats made the regional finals, falling to Palestine Wheatley in a thirteen-inning thriller.
Preston Prock | Conway | JR
Prock has an imposing frame and did his part in the Wampus Cats’ title run. Prock was the middle reliever in Conway’s trio during conference games. He would bookend lefties Austin Rainey and Hugh Hill. The big righty baffled hitters with his curveball and kept them off-balance during the middle innings for the Cats. Prock will look to go back-to-back in 2023 as Conway will return most of their core.
Alex Davis | Sylvan Hills | SO
Davis was the ace of the Bears staff leading them to the 5A-Central championship. Davis also did it at the plate hitting .359 with 19 runs batted in and 18 runs scored. Davis is an exceptional athlete on the base paths racking up 13 stolen bases. He went 6-1 on the mound with a 2.04 ERA and 43 strikeouts.
Christian Carnal | Star City | SO
Carnal was the anchor of the Bulldogs offense as a sophomore and is one of the premier left-handed hitters in the state. He had three triples on the year and his lone home run came against Harrison in the state tournament. He had the game winning RBI double in a 5-4 win over conference champion Monticello.
Cole Spears | Lonoke | SO
Spears committed to Arkansas during hid freshman season and has looked the part so far. Lonoke had one of the best seasons in school history finishing 29-6 with the sophomore class being a big reason. Spears hit .333 with 2 homeruns and 26 runs batted in scoring 37 runs with 15 stolen bases earning All-Conference honors. Spears chipped in on the mound with a 2.13 ERA in 19.2 innings.
Jake Reece | Brookland | FR
Reece didn’t play like a freshman for the Bearcats this season. He hit .291 with 4 home runs and 26 runs batted in on the season for the 3-4A conference runner-up. Reece also went 3-0 with a 2.63 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 16 innings pitched.
