We are three days away from Arkansas baseball, and it's time for HawgBeat to continue its annual lineup preview series for the 2025 Diamond Hogs.
With scrimmage coverage, analysis, interviews, previews, the Diamond Hawgs Podcast and more, HawgBeat provides the best Arkansas baseball coverage around.
We continue things with the No. 7 spot, which second baseman Nolan Souza is projected to fill...
#3 - Nolan Souza - 2B
So. | L/R | 6-3 | 215
Honolulu, Hawaii/ Punahou School
2024: 40 games, .255/.366/.509, 7 2B, 7 HR, 28 RBI, 18 BB/38 K, 3 SB
Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said this offseason he believes players make their biggest jumps from their freshman to sophomore years, and none are more qualified for that possibility than Souza.
Though his final batting average from a season ago doesn't jump off the page, Souza possesses serious power, speed and athleticism. He was named to the Freshman All-SEC Team in 2024 and even earned SEC Freshman of the Week Honors after slashing a team-leading .571/.571/1.286 with a team-high three homers and a team-best nine RBIs against Arkansas State and Ole Miss, combined.
Even though Arkansas added transfer portal competition at second base this offseason in former Vanderbilt infielder Cam Kozeal, Souza has taken control of the position through the fall and spring.
According to stats compiled by local media, Souza hit 7-for-27 (.259) in the fall, but fared far better in the spring with a 10-for-25 (.400) stat line. In total, Souza racked up one double, one triple, three home runs, 14 RBIs, 13 walks, 17 strikeouts and finished 19-for-21 on base-stealing attempts in team scrimmages throughout the offseason.
"Souza, he's physical," Van Horn said Jan. 15. " He's got all the tools. He can hit it as far as anybody, can run as fast as anybody, can throw with anybody. He's what you're looking for. He's the type of guy athletically that, if he wasn't playing baseball, I could see him playing tight end. He's athletic enough to be a wide receiver at the Division I level. I mean, this is an athletic kid."
The other possibility for Souza is in the No. 5 hole behind the cleanup man, but sliding in at No. 7 feels more natural for the second-year player and gives him time to acclimate to his bigger role. He'll also likely get the chance to lead off some innings in this spot, which is especially dangerous because of his speed.
"You just look at (Souza) physically and look at his tools, one of the fastest guys on the team," Van Horn said Feb. 3. "One of the strongest guys on the team. He’s still growing a little bit, honestly. He’s got bat speed. You watch his batting practice, he doesn’t pull the ball, at all. But if we tell him, ‘hey, okay, why don’t you just try to hit a couple over the light pole in right field’, he can come close, believe me.
"He was a little raw when he got here, honestly. He’s made big strides. Defensively, a lot better. Confident. Turning a double-play pretty good. He can play short and third, as well."
Arkansas will host Washington State at Baum-Walker Stadium on Friday, Feb. 14 for Opening Day. The first game of the season is set for a 3 p.m. CT first pitch.
HawgBeat's Lineup Breakdown Series
1. #24 - Charles Davalan - CF
2. #9 - Wehiwa Aloy - SS
3. #22 - Logan Maxwell - RF
4. #10 - Brent Iredale - 3B
5. #5 - Kendall Diggs - DH
6. #1 - Rocco Peppi - 1B
7. #3 - Nolan Souza - 2B
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