Arkansas Baseball Notebook: Diamond Hogs No. 4 in Baseball America preseason poll

BY DUDLEY E. DAWSON

FAYETTEVILLE – Of the three 2025 preseason college baseball polls released so far, Baseball America has the highest opinion of Arkansas.

The publication’s ranking came out on Monday with Arkansas landing fourth behind three fellow SEC schools – No. 1 Texas A&M, No. 2 LSU and No. 3 Tennessee.

Baseball America also listed SEC foes Florida (7), Georgia (11), Texas (14), Mississippi State (18) and South Carolina (20) inside of its Top 25.

Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn understands the optimism about his program because he has it, too.

That comes after he and his staff retooling a roster that should be able to play small ball as well as power up.

“The personnel we have now fits more what we want to do here day in and day out,” Van Horn said. “…The big innings come with a single and a walk or an error and then somebody pops one in the gap or out of the park.

“That’s how you separate yourself, but we wanted to make sure that we could do a little bit of everything and hopefully that happens.”

Arkansas has also been ranked fifth by D1 Baseball and 13th by Perfect Game while ESPN/USA Today Coaches preseason poll has not been released yet.

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The Razorbacks, 44-16 overall and 20-10 in SEC action, open the season by hosting Washington State on Friday, Feb. 14 at 3 p.m.

That contest opens a four-game series at Baum-Walker Stadium with the Cougars that last through Monday.

Van Horn’s squad scrimmage three times this past weekend in 40 degree temperatures.

“They know, we all know it’s freezing,” Van Horn said. “I hate that we have to play in this kind of weather, but we only have three weeks to get ready. Just trying not to extend anybody and play when the sun is out.”

The projected starters won 4-1 on Friday and 11-2 on Saturday.

The top reserves turned the tables after falling behind 3-0 on Sunday by rallying with six unanswered runs late in a five-inning contest.

In Friday’s scrimmage, Van Horn batted just eight in his line up of starters.

“I was just trying to get those eight hitters some at bats instead of sticking a bunch of guys on that team that aren’t going to be playing,” Van Horn said.

“Most of those guys are starters. It’s pretty obvious. I’m not trying to hide anything. We want those guys to play together.”

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The only position spot that seems totally up for grabs is first base where transfers Michael Anderson (Rhode Island) and Rocco Peppi (Fresno State) along with Razorback veteran outfielder Kendall Diggs all saw action.

Diggs was a second-team All-SEC outfielder in 2023 before injuries limited his production last season – which ended with him having shoulder surgery.

“It’s his non-throwing shoulder and I already know he can play the outfield,” Van Horn said. “We haven’t figured it out. We want to get an offensive first baseman, but at the same time trying to get another outfielder in the outfield.”

That would allow Justin Thomas to join TCU transfer Logan Maxwell and Canadian-born Charles Davalan as starters in the outfield.

Thomas started his collegiate career at Georgia and spent last season at junior college Florida Southwestern State.

“Thomas maybe, the other two really won their spots in the fall,” said Van Horn of who might replace Diggs in the outfield if he lands at first base. “Anything can happen. Just trying to be more athletic.

“Kendall has played over there before us, worked out one there and played in some scrimmages and an infielder in high school.

“We didn’t talk to him about it until just last week – you are going to play here and there he was like ‘yeah, whatever you want me to do.’ That is what is going on.”

Photo by John D James