SBLive Arkansas Super 7 preseason high school baseball rankings

Another season on the diamond is just days away and SBLive Arkansas will again be your No. 1 source for all things baseball with our Super 7 rankings, player recognition lists and weekly recap episodes from each classification on the Arkansas Prep X-Tra podcast with Kyle Sutherland and Kevin Bohannon. 

Below are some of the teams to keep an eye on heading to the season. Following this preseason preview, the Super 7 rankings will be updated each week from mid-March through the end of the season. 

6A

1. Springdale Har-Ber

2. Conway

3. Bentonville

4. Rogers

5. Jonesboro

6. Fayetteville

7. Bryant

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Rogers Heritage, North Little Rock, Cabot

Springdale Har-Ber: The Wildcats have been in the hunt for a state title the past two seasons and 2023 should not be any different. Razorbacks commit RHP Ross Felder and Crowder (Mo.) College commit RHP Ty Ridley will be tough to beat in the new nine team 6A West. Sophomore University of Arkansas commit Luke Cornelison is one of the top middle infielders in the 2025 class.

Conway: Conway won the 2022 6A title by doing things their own way. Head coach Leighton Hardin used the same pitching rotation in most of the conference games down the stretch and in the state tournament. Richmond commit LHP Hugh Hill was a key part of the rotation as a reliever but may move to more of a starters role this season. RHP Preston Prock, Sam Gregg, Prestyn Ribbing and Tucker Satterfield are back as well and lead a deep and experienced lineup.

Bentonville: The Tigers came up short against Conway last season, but they return plenty of firepower for another run at a state title. Power hitting 1B/DH Stephon Gryskiewicz anchors the middle of the lineup and can leave the yard on any pitch. Tonie Woodie played a big part in the Tigers run last season and will be relied upon more offensively this season. Rowan Christiensen is one of the better catchers in the state and can fill up the strike zone on the mound as well.

Rogers: The Mounties sat atop the Super 7 rankings for most of 2022 and were favored to win it all. They ran into a hot crosstown rival and did not get a chance to defend their title, however. The Mounties have six players committed to play collegiately and will be in the hunt once again led by LHP Ashton Chronister, LHP Madden Dillard, 3B Gael Salinas, and OF JT Melson.

Jonesboro: The Hurricane have been the Class 5A favorite in 2021 and 2022 but could not finish the job losing to Van Buren both years. They now move up to Class 6A with the same expectation. RHP Lance Davis is one of the top arms in the state and Maddox Morrison is your prototypical leadoff hitter/centerfielder. Coach Mark Dobson is one of the most respected coaches in the state and the program’s recent run over the last decade has put Jonesboro on the national map.

Fayetteville: Seven-time state champion Fayetteville has been in the middle of the pack for the past couple of years and looks to take a step forward this season with two of the premier players in the state no matter what classification. Landon Schaefer is one of the top shortstops in the country and an MLB prospect for the 2025 draft. Two sport star Jaison Delamar has a mid-90s fastball and broke a PBR Future Games record for outfield velocity last summer. Easton Frazier is an Austin Peay commit and a top notch defender.

Bryant: 2022 was disappointing for the Hornets considering the amount of experience they had returning, but I expect head coach Travis Queck to have his 2023 squad back in contention with a couple of high-end caliber arms. State-championship-winning quarterback Gideon Motes is a top left-handed pitcher and can play first base as well. University of Oklahoma commit Ridge Southerland may be the next in a long line of Bryant right-handed pitchers to win a state title. Queck says the 6-foot-4 sophomore has one of the best arms to come through the program and has potential mid 90s fastball in his future if he continues to develop.

5A

1. Valley View

2. Little Rock Christian

3. Sylvan Hills

4. Marion

5. Benton

6. Sheridan

7. Maumelle

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Sheridan, Mountain Home

Valley View: The Blazers won the Class 4A title in 2021 and lost in extra innings to Harrison in the 2022 4A title game. They move up to the 5A-East this season with the same championship aspirations. Ole Miss outfield comit Slade Caldwell is a true five tool player and one of the best hitters in the state. Caldwell has played for Team USA the last few summers competing against the best competition in the world. Pitching coach Matt Snyder believes this could be the best pitching staff the Blazers have had in recent memory, at least on paper. All-state RHP Eli Crecelius is the staff ace and freshman Razorback commit RHP Keaton Mathis could be a key No. 2 this season. Razorbacks commit C/RHP Lawson Ward is a top catcher in the 2024 class and will be a closer on the mound. Crowder commit RHP Tyler Hoskins has a high ceiling on the mound and will be a power bat in the lineup.

Little Rock Christian: Head coach Brandon Eller has one of the better pitching staffs in the state and has his team focused on the big picture in 2023. The Warriors were upset in the first round last season and have added incentive to win a title this year. Louisiana Tech Commit LHP Reece Tarini was all-state last season holding hitters to a .112 batting average. Nate Gross and Jackson Kircher are collegiate prospects on the mound as well with the latter reaching 90 mph with his fastball recently at a showcase event. Cade Bowman is smooth at shortstop and gained big gam experience last season.

Sylvan Hills: The Bears have twelve seniors on the roster and will be one of the most athletic teams in the state. LHP Alex Davis keeps teams off balance as the staff ace and hit over .400 last season. Kelvin Battles II is a quick twitch middle infielder and table setter for the offense. Freshman Caleb Harrison will start at third base and contribute on the mound. Coach Zach James thinks he has a bright future as a pitcher. LHP Langdon Moorman and infielder Brody Sanders are returning starters and add leadership on the field.

Marion: Coach Pete Prater knows how to get the most out of his teams. The defending 5A state champions lost a few key pieces but have some young talent that should lead the Pats to the top of the 5A East. Outfielder Jett Sutton and Pitcher Davis York were contributors last season and step into more of a leadership role in 2023.

Benton: The Panthers move back to the 5A-South and will take on familiar foes Arkansas High and rival Sheridan. Jake Jones brings experience and a linebacker mentality to the mound. The UCA commit earned all-state honors last season and will get the ball in big games. Jack Woolbright is solid in the middle and Gavin Kelley has a big time arm from the outfield. Broc Mattox adds a power bat in the middle of the lineup.

Sheridan: The Yellowjackets are a contender every year. Head coach Mike Moore is one of the winningest coaches in state history and knows how to get his team ready for May. Centerfielder Jarrett Atchley is a high-octane athlete and catalyst for the offense. Landen Feimster has big time homerun power evident by his grand slam against Conway in the Preseason Tournament last year.

Maumelle: The Hornets will have the pitching and defense. How far they get may be determined by how the offense comes together. Tag Andrews and Peyton Lee are top of the line arms and committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks. Alan Timmons is one of the best defensive shortstops in the state and can add pop to the lineup. Blaize Ward is a super sophomore that will add depth on the mound.

4A

1. Lonoke

2. Brookland

3. Arkadelphia

4. Huntsville

5. Pulaski Academy

6. Shiloh Christian

7. Morrilton

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Stuttgart, Robinson

Lonoke: The Jackrabbits are the clear favorite in Class 4A after reclassification with four players committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks in the 2024 class. LHP Tripp Sullivan was 8-2 last season and took on every team’s ace. C/RHP Steele Eaves is a rare talent with his outstanding command on the mound and ability to shut down an opponent’s running game behind the plate. OF Jaxson Ingle is the catalyst of the offense and captain in the outfield. Cole Spears is a physical hitter and adds depth on the mound. Junior Cutter Culvert is a power bat and Drake Aycock will play at the next level as well.

Brookland: Brookland was one of the top teams in 4A for all of last season. The problem is they ran into a hot Pulaski Academy team and did not make the state tournament. The Bearcats return key pieces in Weston Speir and Griffin Duvall. Duvall is committed to Arkansas State and Speir has been up to 90 mph on the mound. Dax Webb and Jake Reece will add experience and depth as well. Brookland doesn’t have to play Valley View in conference this season, but they haven’t shied away from competition as they open the season with No. 1 Lonoke and Class 5A No. 4 Marion.

Arkadelphia: The Badgers ran through the 4A-7 conference last season with little competition and made a run in the state tournament. Tripp Campbell started the season 4-0 with multiple no-hitters and Donovan Whitten is a great compliment offensively. Two-sport star Carter Babb runs down everything in the outfield and adds depth on the mound. A tough start to the season on the road features games against Pulaski Academy and Robinson. The Badgers have depth and this year nothing less than a state title is expected.

Huntsville: The Eagles had a roller-coaster 2022 that ended losing in the state semifinals to eventual champion Harrison. They will miss Kolton Reynolds and Tucker Bradley but there is plenty left in the cupboard for another run. Two sport star Amos Mayes will lead the pitching staff and help develop the younger pitchers early in the season. The 1-4A is always tough with all four teams advancing from regionals to state the last two seasons and with Harrison moving to Class 5A, the road to a conference title is a little easier but still difficult.

Pulaski Academy: The Bruins got hot at the right time last season reaching the state tournament and almost upsetting Harrison. Arkansas Razorbacks commit Kel Busby quarterbacked the Bruins football team to another state championship in the fall and expects to do the same on the diamond. Busby defeated Jonesboro and Lonoke last season and outdueled Jack Henry Petit in the regional tournament in a thriller. Hudson Cardwell is a college prospect in the outfield. The Bruins will need some new faces to step up and fill holes in the lineup to make it back to the state tournament but with Busby on the mound they can beat anyone.

Shiloh Christian: The Saints made the state title game three straight years, and they have the talent to get back there in 2023. Ayden Benson is tough on the mound, having become a submarine pitcher over the last year. Brock Billingsley is his battery mate behind the plate and one of the top catchers in his class.

Morrilton: The Devil Dogs got off to a torrid start last season and breezed through the 4-4A. The regional tournament did not go as planned and their season ended prematurely. Head coach Matt Long won a state title at Russellville and feels he has a great group of young players that can get the 2023 Devil Dogs back to the state tournament. Junior Luke Carner is a silent assassin at the plate and on the mound. The 6’3 righty fills up the strike zone and is a patient hitter. Duncan Blakley is a power bat in the middle of the lineup and vocal leader. I expect the Devil Dogs to win the 4-4A again and breakthrough to the state tournament.

3A

1. Harding Academy

2. Elkins

3. Rose Bud

4. Melbourne

5. Camden Harmony Grove

6. Booneville

7. Prescott

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Haskell Harmony Grove, CAC

Harding Academy: The Wildcats ended 2022 on a 27-game winning streak defeating Ashdown for the 3A state championship. They were the only wire-to-wire champion in the state and could very well do it again this season. Arkansas signee Kade Smith skipped football and basketball to focus on baseball and be healthy. It would not surprise me if he hits over .500 and ten plus home runs. He will lead the Wildcats on the mound as well. Levi Lang is back healthy and that is bad news for 3A opponents. He is a pure hitter and smart baserunner. Junior Kyler Hoover is a quick twitch shortstop and adds depth on the mound. Coach Shane Fullerton front loads his schedule against 5A and 6A teams to prepare his squad for the stretch run with his teams peaking at state tournament time.

Elkins: This could be the year the Elks make more noise coming off 21 wins in 2022. Dizzy Dean has the bloodline and the game to match the name. Zanuel Martin was all-state last season and has gotten stronger at the plate and on the mound. Team will struggle with his three pitch mix and fastball that can run the upper 80s. Coach Hunter Corbell is one of the top young coaches in the state. The Elks will play hard and compete on every pitch.

Rose Bud: The Ramblers would likely get a lot more attention if they weren’t in the same conference and region as Harding Academy. This will be Coach Taylor Cooper’s best team and it starts on the mound. Sophomore Russ Martin was SBLive Newcomer of the Year last season striking out 110 hitters in 59.2 innings pitched. He added 15 doubles and hit .390 at the plate. Freshman Jay Bell is a big arm pitcher and gives the Ramblers are solid second option. Jared Wray and Rece Hipp are All State caliber players. Hipp is starring for the Ramblers basketball team and has committed to play basketball for Henderson State.

Melbourne: The Bearcatz move to the 3A-2 conference this season coming off a 21-6 record in 2022. Sophomore Grant Wren was All State in football this past fall but his future is on the diamond as he is committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks. Older brother Trey Wren adds depth on the mound. Expect Melbourne to be very athletic at the plate and capable of putting runs on the board.

Booneville: If you follow prep sports in Arkansas, you will recognize the names on the Bearcats roster. Dax Goff set a school record for rushing yardage going over 2,000 yards and he is pretty good at baseball as well. Brooks Herrera recently committed to UA Rich Mountain and Peyton Tatum is a solid two sport player having committed to play football for Arkansas Tech. Rylen Ray is a top catcher in the 2024 class.

Camden Harmony Grove: The Hornets won 23 games last season but fell short of the state tournament. Bradley Launius has moved on to pitch for SAU Tech but two time All State selection Caleb Johnson returns along with five other starters. Johnson launched a grand slam in the Hornets 11-1 win over Spring Hill in Tuesday night's benefit game. The Hornets will open the season against Haskell Harmony Grove. The Cardinals ended CHG’s season in the regional tournament last year.

Prescott: The Curly Wolves are part of the tough 3A-7 conference that sent four teams to the state tournament last season with Ashdown making the finals. Carston Poole is committed to nationally ranked SAU and is coming off an 11 homerun season while hitting .487. The supporting cast is a year older and I bet it doesn’t take Prescott fifteen years to win their next state tournament game.

2A

1. Woodlawn

2. Carlisle

3. Episcopal

4. Bigelow

5. Dierks

6. Parkers Chapel

7. Rector

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Buffalo Island Central, Izard County

Woodlawn: Bears head coach Tommy Richardson did his best coaching job in 2022 after injuries decimated his roster and reserves became everyday players overnight. Kale Edmonds has moved on to Crowder College, so guys such as Tate Hall and Jayden Wilmoth get to carry the tradition and shoot for another state title. It would be hard to find another program that has won at the level for as long as the Bears have. Until someone proves otherwise, they are the favorite.

Carlisle: Bison head coach Steven Tew gets excited when talking about his roster this year. Dalton Ward will be a three-year starter, and he is just a junior. Holden Jones made the SBLive Arkansas All-Newcomer Team last year. Jonathan Pickard hit .420 as a freshman. The key to a title run may be the health of Zach Busick. Busick missed most of 2022 but is now healthy and other teams around 2A are trying to figure out how to shut down the Bison offense and how they are going to score runs. The potential is there, now can it be fulfilled?

Episcopal Collegiate: A drop in classification may be just what the doctor ordered in getting Wildcats head coach Eddie Stephenson his second career state championship. Stephenson guided the Baptist Prep Eagles to the 1999 state title, and he believes the 2023 Wildcats have a shot to go all the way. Drew Grumbles is good as they come on and off the field. He is committed to Johns Hopkins University to pitch but before he leaves, a state championship is the goal. Drew’s younger brother, Hunter, provides a solid bat in the lineup and an excellent No. 2 on the mound. The Wildcats made the 3A state tournament last year and dropped a close game to Prescott.

Bigelow: The Panthers had an exciting run to the Class 2A finals last year and now head coach Craig Neumeier knows his team can make it back. Hunter Alexander is now playing college baseball, but his younger brother, Carter, is back along with RHP Beau Billeck and infielder Rhett Neumeier, the coach’s son. The Panthers return seven players that saw significant innings last year making a state championship their next step.

Dierks: The Outlaws did something not many people expected last season; they beat Woodlawn in the postseason. Dierks won its conference and regionals before losing to Bigelow in the state tournament. Senior Talon Kappus returns on the mound along with Rylan Hill and outfielder Eli Sharp. Catcher Mackay Smith is a two time All Conference member. The depth and experience is there for the Outlaws to make a deeper run in 2023.

Parkers Chapel: The Trojans had a roller-coaster 2022 campaign with a younger roster but expect coach Mark Looney to have his team ready for a run at a state championship. The Trojans won the 2018 2A state championship over Spring Hill. A tough early slate will prepare this year’s team for the rough and rugged 2A-8 conference.

Rector: Junior Cooper Rabjohn is an exciting athlete and the reason the Cougars are one of the top teams in northeast Arkansas. While most of the tradition in Class 2A resides in south Arkansas, Rabjohn is regarded statewide as one of the top pitchers. If you have an ace like Rabjohn, anything can happen in the postseason.

1A

1. Taylor

2. West Side Greers Ferry

3. Norfork

4. Mount Ida

5. St. Joseph

6. Nemo Vista

7. Viola

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Hillcrest, County Line

Taylor: The Tigers have become a powerhouse in south Arkansas under head coach Brian Fowler. They return the bulk of their lineup in 2023 looking to defend their 1A state title and keep pace with the school’s softball team. SAU signees Peyton and Preston Smith made All Conference with Preston earning All State honors last season and Peyton making the All State Tournament Team. Jake Pitre and Mason Lindsey will play a key role in the Tigers’ repeat bid.

West Side GF: Last Year was supposed to be the year Shane Davis’ Eagles got over the hump and won it all. Taylor ended their bid with a come from behind 11-9 win but the program is in good shape for another run. Conference rival Izard County has moved up to 2A and while the Eagles lost key players, they do have a good core to make a run.

Norfork: The “Party Crashers” will not be sneaking up on anyone this season. Coach Ethan Davis returns the heart of his lineup in 2023. Cory Jines put up video game numbers last season and Ike Barrow does a great job behind the plate. Sophomores Erik and Coty Foster look to have big seasons as well. If you see the “Party Crashers” t-shirt coming to your town, head over to your local high school and catch some great 1A baseball.

Mount Ida: The Lions had a younger roster last season that propelled them to a state semi-final finish. With Ouachita moving to Class 2A, the Lions have a good shot to win the 1A-7 conference

St. Joseph: The Bulldogs finished in a three-way tie for their conference title last season and runner up in their regional tournament. The problem with that success is they got state champ Woodlawn in the first round and saw their season come to an end. Now they drop to Class 1A and contend for a state title. Coach Luke Davis knows how to get his team to peak at the right time.

Nemo Vista: The Red Hawks made an inspiring run to the state title game last season before losing to Taylor. While they didn’t get much press in the beginning of the season because of a weaker conference and region, they shocked everyone defeating Izard County and host school Ouachita in consecutive games. They will be on the radar from the first pitch this season.

Viola: The Longhorns have tradition and rarely have back to back down years. Class 1A is a little harder to handicap than other classes because these schools play basketball into baseball season. Viola has produced some big time players over the years and won four state championships with the most recent coming in 2021.