Six Arkansas Commits Razorback Fans Will Have to Watch For in Sunday's Draft

Top quarter of Dave Van Horn's 2023 class could be gone to Major League's

Author:
Kent Smith
Publish date:
Jul 8, 2023 11:45 AM EDT

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – If the Arkansas baseball is going to be in contention as one of the two major sports to possibly keep the once every 30 years Razorback national championship theory going, then the Major League Baseball draft that begins this Sunday will need to be unexpectedly kind to Dave Van Horn.

The Razorback football team has a loose claim to a piece of Alabama's 1964 national championship along with multiple other teams. In 1994, Nolan Richardson led a legendary group of Razorbacks to the college basketball national championship. Now, there is hope that either Van Horn's baseball team or Eric Musselman's basketball team will keep the trend going in 2024.

However, if that is going to happen, the majority of a loaded signing class has to find its way to Baum-Walker Stadium. Right away, there are two signees who are almost guaranteed to be drafted too high to get to campus despite a very healthy NIL program.

Trinity, Florida product Aidan Miller went out of his way to take multiple visits to Arkansas, including one in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, and even spent a lot of time picking Peyton Stovall's brain on the pros and cons of turning down a large Major League deal to come to Arkansas. An injury this past spring coupled with several prospects putting up strong numbers under the pressure of the college baseball playoffs have knocked the coveted infielder down the mock draft boards rather significantly.

That being said, Miller is still projected to be a Top 20 pick. Even if he falls to No. 20, that netted Atlanta Braves selection Owen Murphy $2.56 million last season. It should also be noted that the former Notre Dame commit signed for what is believed to be around $1 million less than the slot value. If he comes in at No. 15, which is where he is projected in some mocks, that number goes up to $3.9 million.

Miller was originally slated to go no less than No. 6, which would have brought home $6 million. If he wants to go to college, take on a significant NIL deal for three years in the hopes that he can stay healthy and perform well enough to get back into one of those Top 5 slots, it could mean an extra $5-$6 million in his initial contract if he falls to No. 20.

That's a big risk considering his current injury and that he has watched Stovall suffer a season-ending injury this past spring. Because of this, even if he falls that far, it's unlikely the Razorbacks see him.

Another player who is likely gone from the commit list is Walker Martin. The Colorado slugger has drawn a lot of attention with his power, which has shot him up draft boards into a projected Top 25 pick. That would put him just short of $3 million, which is probably more than enough to ensure he never sets foot in Fayetteville.

If Arkansas is going to make a run to the national title in the next few years, the Razorbacks need a little more offensive production out of the catcher position. Right now the plan is to possibly do that with the addition of 5-star catcher Ryder Helfrick. The Discovery Bay, California native projects somewhere in the 50s. If so, this puts him around $1.3 million, which is a tipping point value where the Razorbacks are concerned.

Whether he stays or goes may hinge on the position he plays. The odds would be higher that he comes to Arkansas if he played any other position as they are more commonly taken with higher picks. However, only two catchers project to go in the Top 40, which doesn't give Helfrick as much room to visualize himself making a big jump after a stint with the Razorbacks.

Atascocita outfielder Kendall George also falls into this category. He is projected to fall between No. 50 and No. 60. Right-handed pitcher Barrett Kent of Pottsboro, Texas, a small town on the shores of Lake Texoma about an hour north of Dallas, isn't far behind in the mid-70s. That would put him around $1.25 million. Both would have plenty of room to potentially add millions to their bank accounts with solid SEC performances. Both also have enough money on the table to give skipping college a lot of thought.

Adam Hachman, a 5-star left-handed pitcher out of Missouri, is expected to be taken right around No. 100. That puts him a shade over $600,000. It's a slot that makes Arkansas competitive and gives the Razorbacks a strong chance of keeping his commitment. There's a lot of money to be made if he can come in and perform well for the Hogs.

Beyond those six players, the rest of the possible signing class seems to fall in lock territory. That gives Van Horn 15 players he should be able to count on becoming Razorbacks while he spends the next Sunday watching as the first two rounds unfold. Once the third round resumes on Monday, things become less tense and it's all about seeing where any remaining Razorbacks from this past season get picked.

The first and second rounds air Sunday at 6 p.m. on the MLB Network and ESPN. The remaining rounds air Monday at 1 p.m. at MLB.com