Arkansas nets portal pledges in Oregon State pitcher Jimenez and Fresno State OF Peppi

BY DUDLEY E. DAWSON

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn and his staff doubled up on Tuesday when it comes to transfer portal recruiting.

Oregon State right handed pitcher Aiden Jimenez (6-3, 216) and Fresno State outfielder Rocco Peppi (5-11, 200) both committed to the Razorbacks to up the program’s number to eight additions this off season.

Jimenez suffered a preseason injury that kept him from taking the mound this past season after going 5-2 with a 5.68 ERA in 22 appearances in 2023.

The son of former Major League Baseball pitcher Jason Jimenez, he started one game as a freshman and fanned 35 batters while walking 7.

Jimenez joins Ohio State left hander Landon Beidelschies as pitchers Arkansas has landed in the last two days.

The righty-swinging Peppi hit .327 last season with 14 home runs, 56 RBIs and 43 runs scored in 56 games in his only season at Fresno State.

Peppi began his college career at Long Beach State, where he spent three seasons and he hit .278 with 6 home runs, 33 RBIs and 14 doubles in 2023.

He played in 111 games at Long Beach State after redshirting his freshman season.

Arkansas other portal additions are BYU designated hitter/first baseman Kuhio Aloy, Florida Gulf Coast University outfielder Charles Davalan, Milwaukee outfielder Carson Hansen, Georgia State shortstop/outfielder Maximus Martin and TCU outfielder Logan Maxwell.

The Razorbacks have also signed 17 high school players and five junior college standouts.

Photo courtesy of Fresno State athletics