LITTLE ROCK - The UALR baseball team and head coach Scott Norwood recently announced the signing of 11 players during the fall period, a group consisting of eight high school players and three junior college standouts. Included in the class are three local high school players in Tanner Kirby (Maumelle, Ark./Maumelle HS), Preston Oberling (Little Rock, Ark./North Little Rock HS) and Eric White (El Dorado, Ark./Parkers Chappell HS).
“I am very excited about this signing class,” Norwood said. “These recruits are not only great players, but great students. Our goal with this class was to build depth and also fill some important needs. I am truly looking forward to seeing these guys on campus next fall.”
Coach Norwood also praised the hard work of his assistant coaches, recruiting coordinator and assistant coach Chris Marx and assistant coach Cole Gordon, for the successful class.
“Chris and Cole have done a tremendous job in bringing in some very high profile prospects from all over the country. They are dynamic recruiters and have worked tirelessly to sign this group of guys,” Norwood said.
Below is a closer look at each signee:
Kyle Barrett
INF // Carlmont HS
San Carlos, Calif.
Kyle was an All-League selection for the Central Coast Conference and was a two-time San Mateo County All Star selection. Kyle chose UALR over San Jose State, San Francisco, Oregon and Washington.
Marx on Barrett: “Kyle is an all-around player that can really hit. He plays for one of the premiere travel teams in California (Trosky Baseball) and competes at the highest level. Kyle has a true grinder's mentality and plays the game with passion.”
Eric Foshee
RHP // Vidor HS
Vidor, Texas
Eric is ranked by Perfect Game as top-500 national recruit and chose UALR over Lamar.
Marx on Foshee: “Eric is a big, strong athlete with a power arm. He is a leader on and off the field and we are expecting big things from him for years to come. Eric has been selected to play in prestigious Prospect League for Coach Fackler for the past few years and has really made a name for himself.”
Chris Gittens
RHP/INF // Grayson County College
Sherman, Texas
Chris was selected to play in the Texas/New Mexico All-Star game and chose UALR over Texas Tech, New Mexico and Houston.
Marx on Gittens: “Chris has the ability to be one of the best players in the country. He has a low to mid 90's fastball and can hit the ball a mile. We really expect Chris to be an impact player on both the mound and at the plate.”
Joe Heineman
INF // Southlake Carroll HS
Southlake, Texas
Joe chose UALR over Texas A&M, TCU, Baylor, New Mexico, San Diego, UT Arlington and Arizona.
Marx on Hieneman: “Joe is a great athlete that has played on winning teams in football and baseball. He knows how much work it takes to win at a high level. We are looking forward to watching Joe develop over the next couple of years.”
Jacob Hudson
RHP // Northlake College
Dallas, Texas
Jacob chose UALR over LSU, Tennessee, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Texas Tech and Wichita State.
Marx on Hudson: “Jacob has the prototypical pitcher's body with a power arm. This fall, his fastball was 90-94 with the potential to get even faster as he develops under Coach Strange at Northlake this year. Jacob has a bright future on the mound and I look forward to working with him next fall.”
Tanner Kirby
RHP // Maumelle HS
Maumelle, Ark.
Marx on Kirby: “Tanner has great command on all of his pitches and is a true strike thrower. He has the ability to throw out of the bullpen or as a starter. We are excited to have Tanner join our club.”
Ryan McSwain
OF // Saint Francis HS
Redwood City, Calif.
Ryan is rated by Perfect Game as a national top-500 recruit and chose UALR over Air Force, Michigan, UC Davis and Point Loma.
Marx on McSwain: “Ryan is a five tool player. He is an outstanding athlete with the tools to play any outfield position. He comes from a winning high school program and plays to win. The sky is the limit for Ryan.”
Seth Mullis
C // Frisco Wakeland HS
Frisco, Texas
Seth is ranked 475th nationally by Perfect Game and chose UALR over Oklahoma State, TCU, Duke, Rice and Brown.
Marx on Mullis: “Seth is a big time prospect with great leadership qualities. He has a ton of power offensively and has a true catcher's mentality. Seth is everything a coach could want in a player and person.”
Preston Oberling
RHP/OF // North Little Rock HS
Little Rock, Ark.
Preston is rated by Perfect Game as a national top-1000 recruit and chose UALR over Arkansas and Central Arkansas.
Marx on Oberling: “Preston is a local player that we are thrilled to have in our program and has the ability to make an impact with our club right away. Preston has a fastball that has reached 92 and also has a great slider. He is a great athlete and can really run.”
AJ Shaw
OF // Cowley County College
Wichita, Kan.
AJ was selected as a Jayhawk All-Conference honoree as a freshman and chose UALR over Georgia State.
Marx on Shaw: “AJ is one of the best junior college outfielders in the country and has a true feel for the game. He is a hard-nosed young man and plays the game with savvy intensity. Having played at Cowley for two years, we know AJ has what it takes to win.”
Eric White
RHP/INF // Parkers Chappell HS
El Dorado, Ark.
Eric is ranked by Perfect Game as a top-500 national recruit and chose UALR over Ole Miss, Central Arkansas, Arkansas State and ULM.
Marx on White: “Eric is one of the best prospects in the state. He has a chance to be an immediate impact player on the mound and at the plate. He is a physical young man with great arm strength and power.”
