Paxton Wallace MVP of Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Games

[Wuzee]

“He’s a big league hitter,” Slayton said. “It’s the first time I’ve been around him. He’s a great kid. Just watching him take batting practice, he’s so explosive. His swing is violent. He’s going to be a good baseball player at Wichita State.”

Wallace played third and first base for the West All Stars, which he will also do at Wichita State, but he will also close some games as a pitcher.

http://thecabin.net/news/sports/high-school/2017-06-21/greenbrier-s-wallace-shines-all-star-game

[1972Shocker]

Next year 3B and 1B seem to be pretty well locked up by Alec Bohm and Greyson Jenista. However, maybe this kid could DH and close games. We could use both.

The following season both 3B and 1B should be wide open to competition as I excpect both Alec and Greyson to move on the pros at the end of next season.

At 6-1 and a righty 3B sounds like a better position for him in the long run. Perfect game had him at #263 overall and as the #1 3B in Arkansas.

Of course, the big question hanging over him is can he hit a D-1 curve?

[Shocker85]

Next year 3B and 1B seem to be pretty well locked up by Alec Bohm and Greyson Jenista. However, maybe this kid could DH and close games. We could use both.

The following season both 3B and 1B should be wide open to competition as I excpect both Alec and Greyson to move on the pros at the end of next season.

At 6-1 and a righty 3B sounds like a better position for him in the long run. Perfect game had him at #263 overall and as the #1 3B in Arkansas.

Of course, the big question hanging over him is can he hit a D-1 curve?

Agreed. And 263 overall makes him quite unremarkable. Lace 'em up and we'll see what he's got.

[shockfan89_]

You might be right that both Bohm and Jenista will go pro after their JR year's, but I don't think they are locks to be drafted. Both struggled last year against better competition and thrived in the MVC. Next year the conference play will be as good as our non-conference play from 2017 and maybe even a step up.

Bohm only hit .252 in non-conference and .389 in the MVC with half of his hits coming in the 21 conference games (35 of 71).
Jenista hit .298 in non-conference and .356 in MVC games and only hit 2 HRs in the 37 non-conference games.

I know both of these guys are very capable of being drafted next year, but they are going to need breakout seasons against better competition to make it a lock. The MLB places more weight on power hitters, but for comparison, Vickers hit .296 last year, had more HRs than Jenista in non-conference games, and IMO is better defensively, and he went undrafted.

[1972Shocker]

You might be right that both Bohm and Jenista will go pro after their JR year's, but I don't think they are locks to be drafted. Both struggled last year against better competition and thrived in the MVC. Next year the conference play will be as good as our non-conference play from 2017 and maybe even a step up.

Bohm only hit .252 in non-conference and .389 in the MVC with half of his hits coming in the 21 conference games (35 of 71).
Jenista hit .298 in non-conference and .356 in MVC games and only hit 2 HRs in the 37 non-conference games.

I know both of these guys are very capable of being drafted next year, but they are going to need breakout seasons against better competition to make it a lock. The MLB places more weight on power hitters, but for comparison, Vickers hit .296 last year, had more HRs than Jenista in non-conference games, and IMO is better defensively, and he went undrafted.

All good points. They both are having good years in the Cape with good bats although they may or may not sustain those hot starts. Maybe they are just better once the weather warms up.

No, probably not locks. I would be surprised if Alec is not drafted just on potential alone. Greyson may or may not depending on what kind of year he has.

[shockfan89_]

I think they both had pretty good summers last year as well and I kind of expected it to carry over to this past season. We will find out this year if it truly is weather related or competition related with some very good opponents once conference play starts.

[1972Shocker]

Didn't really want to start a new thread for this so I will just stick this Class of 2018 verbal commitment here:

Jake Bunz @Jake_Bunz5 Jul 8

Excited to announce that I will be furthering my education and baseball career at Wichita State University! #shockernation

Jake will be a Senior at Elkhorn South H.S. (west side of Omaha). He is a 6-4, 215 lb LHP. Certainly meets the HCTB size requirements. That said his fastball tops out at 85 and averages 83-84 so, at least at this point, he is not a real hard thrower. I believe he, along with about 100 other players, was named Nebraska Class B honorable mention. Not sure that counts as much more than a participation medal.

From what I can see this kid might develop into a Reagan Biechler left-on-left specialist. Time will tell. You never know I guess. WSU has been known to be baffled by crafty, soft throwing lefties. Perhaps he fits that bill.

[SB Shock]

Didn't really want to start a new thread for this so I will just stick this Class of 2018 verbal commitment here:

Jake Bunz @Jake_Bunz5 Jul 8

LH pitcher who tops out at 85 mph with curve around 75.

He was Honorable Mention (Class B) in Nebraska. He struck out 56 in 44 innings (3.16 ERA). Only stat that is on the downside is he has walked 35 in 44 innings.

He is junior so I would think his velocity (and the rest of his stats) to get better.

[SB Shock]

Report on Paxton Wallace

2017 National Indoor Showcase Feb 25, 2017 PG Grade: 10 Paxton Wallace is a 2017 3B/RHP/1B with a 6-1 210 lb. frame from Greenbrier, AR who attends Greenbrier HS.

Extra strong build, mature physically, retains lots of athletic looseness and twitch despite his mature strength. 7.04 in the sixty, plenty agile enough to stay at third base in the long term.

Has outstanding arm strength from both corner infield positions, arm works extremely well with a clean exchange and release, glove actions are smooth with balanced footwork.

Right handed hitter, straight balanced stance, very aggressive approach with high level bat speed, good direct hand path with leverage at full extension, ball comes off the barrel hard, looking to drive the ball.

Looks ready for a big senior season and potential draft status. Signed with Wichita State.

Evidently he didn't have that big senior season - so hopefully he can develop and realize his dream his Junior year at WSU.