Predicting Razorbacks' Starting Pitchers in Group with Depth
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Dave Van Horn and pitching coach Matt Hobbs have often assembled deep pitching staffs. While they have struggled with injuries over the previous three seasons, Arkansas will have plenty of arms to compensate for losses if something comes up.
Eager anticipation is expected as fans count down days until another Razorback program with title hopes takes the field. The pitching rotation is usually released a day or two before the start of the season. The Hogs have plenty of arms to call on as potential starters. A pair of returners and one transfer are options to overwhelm James Madison in a four-game opening series.
Hagen Smith
The junior was dubbed a preseason All-American by D1 Baseball and Perfect Game while also being tabbed as preseason SEC Pitcher of the Year. He is well rested and ready to go as the Friday night starter for 2024. Smith was used sparingly throughout spring ball making one appearance for one inning, fanning all three batters faced.
"He really worked hard on his body," Van Horn said. "He had a great strong physique, but now he’s super strong. He’s put on some really good weight. We rested him. We’d like him to pitch at 93-to-96 [miles per hour]."
He made 11 starts on 18 appearances last spring recording an 8-2 overall record and forcing opponents into a .217 batting average. The junior fanned a team-high 109 batters last season in 71 and 2/3 innings.
The junior takes all the praise lightly as he knows there is still work to be done to prove all the preseason prognosticators right.
"It's really nothing honestly," Smith said of the preseason expectations. "I haven't played yet. Just like anybody. No one's played yet, so [we] just have to get ready for the season."
Brady Tygart
While his sophomore campaign didn't start off the way he and the Razorbacks had hoped, his presence was made known once returning from a UCL sprain. With hopes of returning to the College World Series, it'll take Tygart building off a promising 2023 campaign for the Razorbacks to make Omaha.
Upon returning, Tygart was limited to a 30-pitch count or inning limit. Once in the lineup he finished the season with a 3-1 record and a 3.2 ERA. In 25 and 1/3 innings, he had 31 strikeouts in 10 appearances.
This Mississippi native was fantastic as a true freshman in 2022 with 37 and 2/3 innings pitched with a 3.82 ERA including eight saves, 51 strikeouts and walked 21 batters.
Mason Molina
Projected to be Texas Tech's ace in 2024, Molina moved on to Arkansas for his junior season. He was electric throughout fall ball in Fayetteville making six appearances, pitching eight innings striking out 15 of 31 batters faced and allowed one hit.
The lefty had a quality sophomore season in 2023 with a 6-2 record and posting a 3.67 ERA. In 81 and 1/3 innings of work, Molina gave up 63 hits, walked 35 but struck out 108-batters (would've ranked second amongst Razorback pitchers). His performance was rewarded with an appearance on the Big 12's All-Conference second team.
Molina likely came to Arkansas for the opportunity to work with one of college baseball's most talented room. Iron sharpens iron and that'll pay dividends for the potential weekend rotation of Smith, Tygart and Molina.
“We’re all pushing each other to do more and more each day and get better, Molina said. "Having those [Tygart and Smith] in the same room as you, it’s really an honor to be able to share that with those guys. They’re two great baseball minds and pitchers.”
Van Horn believes in the talent assembled in the pitching staff. Arkansas brings in the top freshman class in the nation, per D1 Baseball. A blend of newcomers and elder statesmen of team could finally push the Razorbacks to the top of sport.
"[We] took a step forward this year with returning some really good pitchers, bringing in some really good young freshman pitchers that I truly believe are going to help us this year," Van Horn said. "I mentioned their names, I didn't say their roles, but talked about the bullpen a little bit. They're going to be starters here one day, maybe a couple of them this year."
HOG FEED:
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RAZORBACKS NOW SETTING RECORDS THIS SEASON, BUT NOT IN BEST OF WAYS
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