SPRINGDALE -- Logan Easley likes good competition and he's faced plenty playing on travel baseball teams that have gone all over the country.
But even he admitted stepping up to the high school level was a big adjustment, especially competing in the tough 7A-West Conference.
Logan Easley
School: Rogers Heritage
Class: Junior
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165
Notable: Earned all-conference honors for the War Eagles this season. … started as a freshman and sophomore at second base for Heritage. … Led Heritage in RBIs (19) to go with one home run and a .277 batting average. … Playing this summer for the Arkansas Prospects team, which includes players from all over the state. … Also went 2-0 this season in limited action on the mound for Heritage.
The 5-foot-11 sophomore already had a year under his belt, playing in all 28 games as a freshman at Rogers Heritage. But nearly every 7A-West opponent had at least one pitcher going to a Division I college and a couple had more than one.
"It's a big step up to high school," Easley said. "You saw upper 80s about every night in the 7A-West. There were lots of D-1 guys. They don't miss much. I think I played pretty well this year."
Others agreed as he was one of 80-plus underclassmen from across the state invited to the inaugural Arkansas Top Prospects Games in Arvest Ballpark, which concluded Tuesday.
Heritage coach Keith Kilgore said Easley stood out even as a freshman as a player with good potential.
"He's a very athletic guy, got a lot of range and handles the bat well," Kilgore said. "He's got a plus-arm, too. We knew as a freshman he was going to be a special player. The young man who understands the game, has the right mental approach and a good work ethic."
Kilgore said Easley made adjustments necessary to compete at a high level.
"I think he will only continue to get better," Kilgore said. "His power numbers will rise as he gets stronger. He adapted well to the speed of the game. I expect great things from him in the next couple of years."
Easley actually hit 20 points better his freshman year, finishing with a .297 batting average, compared to .277 as a sophomore. But he still thought he had a better season this year. He finished with a team-high 19 RBIs and tied for a team-best seven doubles for the War Eagles, who fell in the state quarterfinals.
"I had more quality at-bats," Easley said. "I hit the ball hard some, but right at people. I struggled at the start this year, but the hits started to come. They started falling in."
He went 1-for-2 on Monday with a single up the middle, while playing shortstop in the showcase. Easley also went 2-0 in just 13 innings of work for the War Eagles, but showed well on the mound Tuesday.
The right-hander threw two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out three. His fastball was clocked from 84-86 mph.
Easley understands he's got plenty of work to do this summer. He's played second base in high school and third base during the summer, but wants to work at shortstop.
Kilgore likes his approach at the plate, but Easley admitted his discipline could use work.
"I've got to work on selecting better pitches," Easley said. "I've got to lay off the curveball in the dirt."
But he also wants to put his two years of varsity experience to use next season at Heritage, too, with the War Eagles losing several top players to graduation.
"That experience will help me in the long run, now I have to step up and be the captain for Heritage next year," Easley said.
Sports on 06/03/2015