High Expectations Bring Bold Predictions for Arkansas
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Dave Van Horn heads into his 22nd season at Arkansas hoping to get over that last hurdle. He has been on the cusp of winning several national championships over the last decade. Baseball is one of the toughest sports to win a title with momentum and peaking at the right time being a huge factor.
With expectations high, here are a few bold predictions for Arkansas this season:
Razorbacks shortstop Wehiwa Aloy readies at a pitch during Friday afternoon's practice at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark.
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Wehiwa Aloy wins the Golden Spikes Award
The freshman phenom transferred to Arkansas during the offseason after posting dominant numbers in the WAC.
A 6-2, 200 pound right hander pounded at the plate with a .376 batting average, 14 home runs and 46 RBI’s.
One part of his game he’ll need to clean up going into his second college season was the 17 committed errors. Van Horn believes Aloy will be an exciting player to watch this season.
“He's going to probably hit in the four-hole for us, somewhere in there,” Van Horn said. Great guy and really good person. I think you'll enjoy watching him play."
Arkansas Razorbacks pitcher Hagen Smith throws a pitch in a scrimmage Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark.
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Hagen Smith breaks Arkansas strikeout record
The Bullard, Texas native signed with the Razorbacks as one of the more hyped signees in program history. He showed excellent demand from the mound as a sophomore striking out 109 batters last season.
Smith made 18 appearances with 11 starts on the mound during his outstanding sophomore campaign, posting an 8-2 record with a 3.64 ERA in 71 2/3 innings of work.
Former Arkansas great David Walling punched out 155 batters in 121 and 1/3 innings during a dominant 1999 season.
Theoretically, Smith would see 14 starts throughout the season for Friday night games. If he averaged around seven innings per game, striking out 1.5 batters an inning he would be at 147 strikeouts. A short postseason stint would set him up well to be Arkansas’ greatest pitcher.
Arkansas Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn on top step of dugout in preparation for Friday's scrimmage at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark.
Andy Hodges / allHOGS Images
Razorbacks sweep SEC titles again and win whole thing
Finally, a year like this is what Arkansas needs to win a title. Bringing in the top ranked freshman class with an extensive list of impact transfers to go along with returning players can be the perfect blend for a title.
A year of extra experience for Peyton Holt and Ben McLaughlin will be valuable as become everyday infield starters. Both players hit over .350 in limited appearances.
The returning Kendall Diggs, one of the most clutch hitters in the country, will command right field. Jayson Jones will get his shot in left field after a disappointing freshman season in 2023. Jones was considered one of top high school prospects in the country in his class.
Last season wasn’t Van Horn’s most talented team per se but was likely one of his best coaching jobs. Arkansas won the SEC regular season title for the second time in there seasons but fell short in the NCAA tournament due to a variety of reasons — mostly the injury bug decimating half his pitching staff.
This team, after losing 18 players from last year’s roster, has been rebuilt and expected to chase another conference title by league coaches. With a pep in Van Horn’s step talking about his team, it may be Omaha or bust for Arkansas in 2024.
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