Arkansas Class of 2026 Rankings Update: Winter Edition
March 26, 2025
The 2025 Arkansas high school baseball season is well underway, and with a full slate of preseason events now complete, the Prep Baseball Arkansas staff has made one final update to the Natural State’s 2026 rankings before the juniors take the field in the spring.
For a full look at the updated 2026 class rankings, click HERE.
We have a modest update following our preseason showcase season, but several newcomers have earned their spots in the rankings with standout performances at our offseason events.
Below, we take a deeper dive into this update, highlighting the top of the rankings while also providing a broader look at the class as a whole, including newcomers and names on the rise. Read on for the full breakdown.
THE TOP 10
The top 10 remains unchanged in this update, with a pair of Conway backstops leading the way. C Shaun Cover (Southern Miss) holds the No. 1 spot, followed closely by C Max Holland (Arkansas) at No. 2.
OF Owen Roach (Valley View) claims the No. 3 position, while LHP Trystan Newberry (Russellville; Arkansas) and C Keaton Mathis (Valley View) land at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively.
A duo of Central Arkansas standouts take the next two spots, with INF Marcus Bates (Benton; Arkansas) at No. 6 and OF Bowman Stein (Joe T. Robinson) at No. 7. INF Madden Tatum (Valley View; Jacksonville State) follows at No. 8, while RHP Caleb Harrison (Sylvan Hills) and LHP Owen Davenport (Conway; Central Arkansas) round out the top 10 at No. 9 and No. 10.
RISERS AND NEWCOMERS
Climbing six spots in this update, OF Major Jackson (Pulaski Academy) continues to impress with strong performances at our events. The 6-foot, 199-pound uncommitted junior showcased his power at the Arkansas Preseason All-State in February, consistently barreling up the ball and posting mid-90s exit velocities. With his strong right-handed swing, there’s even more potential to unlock.
OF Tristan Hall (Prairie Grove) makes his debut in the rankings at No. 33 after an impressive showing at the Arkansas Preseason All-State, marking his Prep Baseball debut this winter. The 5-foot-11, 161-pound athlete turned heads with a 6.86-second 60-yard dash, an 83 mph arm from the outfield, and exit velocities reaching the low 90s.
Tristan Hall
Another pair of standouts making their Prep Baseball debuts this winter, RHP/OF Cooper Stallings (Brookland) and OF Parker Ellis (Southside - Fort Smith) break into the rankings at No. 76 and No. 77, respectively. Stallings showcased his potential at the Arkansas Preseason All-State, while Ellis captured our attention with strong performances at both the Central Arkansas Preseason ID and Marucci Midwest Scout Day.
Standing at 6-foot-1, 212 pounds, 1B/LHP Brody Byrd packs plenty of power into his game. He delivered a standout performance at the Arkansas Preseason All-State, putting together a loud round of BP with a peak exit velocity of 96.3 mph and a top distance of 374 feet—both among the event’s best. Byrd enters the rankings at No. 82 in this update.
Brody Byrd
OF/RHP Max Stewart (Har-Ber) and Colton Koehler (Catholic) round out the list of newcomers in the rankings, making their debuts at No. 88 and No. 92, respectively.