Arkansas Baseball enters the 2023 college baseball season with a top-10 finish in some polls, a talented pitching team, and an effort to return to the College World Series for the 12th time in program history.
The Hogs are coming off a 46-21 season that ended in Omaha, their third trip in four seasons, and Arkansas looks poised to improve on those stats.
While Arkansas won’t know if their season will end in any way in Omaha, the Hogs know it will begin in Arlington at the College Baseball Showdown in Arlington, Texas at Globe Life Field.
Here’s what you should know about Arkansas baseball in 2023.
Is Arkansas Baseball in the 2023 NCAA Baseball Rankings?
Yes. There are four major preseason college baseball rankings. Here’s where Arkansas ranks in these polls:
- Perfect Match: #4
- College Baseball: #7
- D1Baseball: #8
- Baseball America: No. 11
The College Baseball Showdown will pit Arkansas against three other ranked teams from Texas, Oklahoma State and TCU.
2023 College Baseball Showdown
Does Arkansas Baseball Have Prospects for the 2023 MLB Draft?
Yes.
Junior pitcher Jaxon Wiggins was selected #55 on MLB.com’s Top Draft Prospects list. The 6ft 6in, 225lb right-hander had a fastball that clocked between 94-97 and peaked at 99.
But Wiggins’ numbers in Arkansas didn’t reflect that. He struggled in 2022 with a 6-3 win with a 6.55 ERA. He had 82 strikeouts in 66 innings as a Sunday starter for Arkansas.
Left-hander Hunter Hollan is ranked 83rd by MLB.com’s Draft Prospects. Hollan played at San Jacinto College before moving to Arkansas that season.
Pitcher Hagen Smith is a preseason All-American and was 7-2 with a 4.66 ERA in 77 innings last season and hit 90 batters while limiting hitters to a .232 average. He had an outstanding performance at the NCAA tournament in 2022.
The 6-foot-3-inch sophomore is likely to garner significant interest from MLB scouts in 2024 if he qualifies for the draft.
2023 College Baseball Hitters To Watch includes a pair of LSU Sluggers
The top MLB prospects in the 2023 college baseball showdown
Arkansas baseball schedule in 2023
Arkansas’ baseball schedule begins at the Feb. 17 College Baseball Showdown against old SWC rivals Texas and TCU. Arkansas also meets the state of Oklahoma.
The Razorbacks’ first SEC series begins a month later on March 17 against Auburn in Fayetteville, Arkansas. A week later, Arkansas travels to Baton Rouge, La. for a preseason No. 1 LSU to contest.
The SEC tournament begins May 23 in Hoover, Ala.
Who is Arkansas baseball cOh Dave Van Horn?
Dave Van Horn has coached his alma mater since 2003 and is the second-winning coach in the program’s history with 796 wins through 2023. Under Van Horn, the Hogs have drafted 129 players with 36 All-Americans in MLB. He has led the program to seven CWS and 18 NCAA tournaments, won two SEC titles and won one SEC tournament.
Van Horn previously coached at Nebraska, Northwestern State and Central Missouri State and has 1,167 career wins, one of seven active coaches with that many wins in Division I.
Has Arkansas Baseball Even Won an NCAA Championship?
The Razorbacks were two-time runners-up in 1979 and 2018 under Van Horn, but they never won the NCAA title. The program was at the CWS 11 times.
What is the Arkansas Baseball Schedule at College Baseball Showdown?
Arkansas plays three games over three days in Arlington. Here is the schedule:
How to Watch Arkansas Baseball in College Baseball Showdown
The College Baseball Showdown is streaming on FloSports. Watch the entire Arkansas game and the rest of the event on FloSports.
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