Gaeckle excited about likely move into Arkansas starting rotation and 2025 outlook

BY DUDLEY E. DAWSON

FAYETTEVILLE – When fans show up for Friday night’s Arkansas Fall Baseball Classic, they will likely see the Razorbacks’ returning Freshman All-American closer on the mound to open the game at 6 p.m. instead of shut it down.

Sophomore Gabe Gaeckle has been used a starter in Arkansas’ Fall Baseball scrimmage with his best effort coming last Thursday when he fanned five of the first six batters he faced.

It is a transition that he is happy to make if Razorback head coach Dave Van Horn and pitching coach Matt Hobbs want that from Gaeckle, who was 3-3 with seven saves and a 2.32 ERA in 22 appearances.

“It’s the same preparation in terms of work load, but whatever they want me to do, I am happy to do,” Gaeckle said. “I’m starting in the scrimmages so they are probably building me of that, but I am good with whatever.”

Gaeckle had 57 strikeouts and 19 walks while allowing just 11 earned runs in 42 2/3 innings as a freshman while giving up just a lone homer.

Ironically the Aptos, California native gave up three blasts off a trio of new teammates in his first inning off work this fall.

“The first outing was a little rough as I gave up three home runs in one inning, but then I kind of settled in a little bit,” Gaeckle said. “I am just working on a few pitches. I am trying to throw more change ups to righties this fall so I have done that a few times. Just trying to sharpen up the rest of the arsenal.”

Gaeckle and catcher Ryder Helfrick, who had a breakout summer in the Cape Cod League, look to form a solid sophomore battery that could emerge as one of the SEC’s best

“I personally love throwing to him and I know Ryder is going to do a great job handling the staff and he already has this fall,” Gaeckle said. “He is just very mature for being a sophomore and I think he handles the game really well so I think he is going to do a fantastic job.”

Gaeckle is excited about a 2025 squad whose current roster has 31 new faces on it.

“I think we are good this year – I think we are really good,” Gaeckle said. “The offense can swing it and I think the pitching might even take a step forward this year. So I think all around that we are a really good team.”

He already feels a closer bond among the players on this roster.

“Chemistry, that’s all I know because last year the portal was a thing and I was a newcomer,” Gaeckle said. “I think this team has clicked really well already and we are doing more as a team. “I’m not sure what it is, but I feel like this team is already pretty close. And I am sure we can keep closer as the year goes on.”

Gaeckle joins fellow returnees Gage Wood, Ben Bybee, Colin Fisher, Parker Coil and Hunter Deitz and portal transfer additions in Zach Root (East Carolina), Landon Beidelschies (Ohio State) and Aiden Jiminez (Oregon State) among possible starters for this upcoming season.

Jiminez, Fisher and Deitz are all rehabbing from injuries and not pitching this fall, but should be ready in the spring.

“The two that are throwing right now that are really good are are Zach Root and Landon Bedelaschies,” Gaeckle said. “I am excited to seem them in the spring.”

The Razorbacks will end up fall workouts with Friday’s Fall Classic and then play a pair of exhibition games against visiting Oklahoma State next Friday at 6 and Saturday at noon.

“It’s fun and I know for a lot of the new guys, they are going to be exited to see all the fans that come support us,” Gaeckle said. “I know I was pretty shocked last year in the Fall Classic how many people came out. I am sure that is going to be amazing for them and for us it is going to be fun to be playing in front of our fans again.

“And then Oklahoma State, it will be fun to play some outside competition. It will be a fun last two weeks.”

Photo by John D. James