Trojan baseball signs seven during the early period

The Little Rock baseball team added a mix of prep and junior college players last month during the early signing period. The class included a couple of Arkansas prep stars in Russellville's Cade Palmer and Russ Martin along with some junior college prospects and other prep prospects from around the region.

"With the changing landscape in athletics and college baseball, along with bringing in 26 new players in the 2024 class, we had to be very selective with the 2025 class this fall," Little Rock head coach Chris Curry said.  

"[Trojans recruiting coordinator Matt Parker] did an excellent job of hitting the ground running this summer along with [assistant coach Brady Cox] in landing an outstanding signing class. We feel every signee will be able to make an immediate impact which is imperative in this era of college athletics. This fall signing class with give us a good foundation as we add more to it this spring and summer."

See the entire early signing class below.

Austin Coyle, Kamloops British Columbia, Cloud County (Kan.) Community College, OF

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Canadian has had a successful junior college career. In 45 games, he hit .312 with 27 RBI. He played two seasons at Cloud County and redshirted one with a broken hand. The prep volleyball star was the valedictorian of his high school class.

Keaton Matlick, Paola, Kan., Highland (Kan.) Community College, LHP

Matlick was an all-district pitcher at Paola High School and had a productive freshman season at Highland. The 5-8, 196-pounder recorded 44.2 innings pitched in eight starts last season with a 3.67 ERA. He also totaled 63 strikeouts and 32 walks.

Russ Martin, Russellville, Ark., RHP

The Russellville native joins the team after a decorated high school career. Martin transferred to Russellville from Rose Bud High School last year after blossoming on the showcase circuit. The right handed pitcher has earned All-Conference, All-State, and All-Tournament team honors to go along with a conference championship. Martin boasts a fastball in the upper 80s with an effective curveball. 

J.T. Melson, Rogers, Ark., Connors (Okla.) State College, OF

The 5-11, 195-pounder is the latest member of the Melson family to excel on the baseball diamond. Melson's dad, Matt, played for the Mounties before becoming an assistant coach and now head coach of the program, and his uncle Nate played three seasons in the Minnesota Twins organization in the late 1990s.

J.T. was a three-time 6A-West All-Conference selection and Class 6A All-Stater twice for RHS. He helped the Mounties to three conference titles and one state championship, in which he earned tournament MVP honors.

Melson signed with CSC in 2023 and will play his second season there this spring.

Cade Palmer, Russellville, Ark., C

Palmer is one of the better Arkansas prep prospects in the Class of 2025. The 6-1, 205-pounder is a two-time all-stater and earned all-conference honors once for the Cyclones. Palmer was also a member of the prestigious Chicago White Sox Scout Team, a showcase squad comprised of some of the top players around Arkansas and surrounding states.

Mason Parsons, Dallas, Texas, RHP

Parsons has starred at Lake Highlands High School earning all-district honors. Parsons is a team captain and lettered for three seasons. The senior has played all over the diamond making appearances on the mound, behind the plate and in the middle infield.

Marcos Sallee, Claremore, Okla., RHP

The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder was an all-district pitcher for Claremore High School last spring as a junior. Sallee has also played third base and shortstop for the Zebras during his prep career also starring at the plate.

Brannon Westmoreland, Haskell, Okla., Connors State (Okla.) Community College, RHP

Westmoreland, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound pitcher, went 4-1 with three saves in 40.1 innings with a 2.68 ERA last spring at Connors State. Westmoreland was a three-sport standout at Haskell High School earning district offensive player of the year honors as a quarterback for the Haymakers. He was also a 1,000-point scorer for his career in basketball.