From @MichaelMain
arkansas.rivals.com
Under head coach Dave Van Horn, Arkansas has become one of college baseball’s top talent factories.
Through a combination of elite year-over-year recruiting and successes on the diamond, the Razorbacks have consistently pumped talent into the big leagues. With the exception of the COVID-shortened 2020 class, at least six Arkansas players have been selected in every MLB Draft since 2016.
The former Razorback making the most noise in the professional ranks this season has been outfielder Heston Kjerstad, who just got called back up to the Baltimore Orioles after going on a tear for the Norfolk Tides at the Triple A level. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, Kjerstad is slashing .349/.431/.744 this season with an OPS of 1.175.
In just 86 at-bats, Kjerstad has 10 home runs and 30 RBI. You could find a video almost every night of the Orioles’ No. 4 prospect going yard just by scrolling through X (formerly Twitter).
Kjerstad’s call-up makes him the ninth Pro Hog on a big league roster. That includes catcher and fellow Oriole James McCann, Chicago White Sox outfielders Dominic Fletcher and Andrew Benintendi, and pitchers Jalen Beeks (Colorado Rockies), Isaiah Campbell (Boston Red Sox), Drew Smyly (Chicago Cubs), Ryne Stanek (Seattle Mariners) and Trevor Stephan (Cleveland Guardians).
Below is a list highlighting some noteworthy former Razorbacks making their way through the minor leagues with the hopes of earning that call-up. A full list of Arkansas players in the professional ranks can be found on the team’s website.
Note: All stats are current as of April 23.
Farm System: San Diego Padres
Level: El Paso Chihuahuas (AAA)
2024 Stats: 2.61 ERA, 10.1 IP, 10 Ks
The former Golden Spikes Award winner that carried Arkansas to a No. 1 national seed in 2021 ended up as a third-round draft pick despite being relatively-old as a prospect. Because of his experience, the crafty righty has been able to work his way through the minors pretty quickly. Kopps could certainly find himself in the Padres bullpen sometime soon.
Farm System: Washington Nationals
Level: Rochester Red Wings (AAA)
Career MiLB Stats: 2.59 ERA, 118.1 IP, 160 Ks
Cronin was advancing well through the Nationals system before a herniated disc caused him to undergo back surgery last summer. The dynamite closer is still recovering from that, and has yet to pitch in 2024.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
HawgBeat - Checking in on Pro Hogs in the Minor Leagues
HawgBeat takes a look at Pro Hogs in the Minor Leagues.
arkansas.rivals.com
Under head coach Dave Van Horn, Arkansas has become one of college baseball’s top talent factories.
Through a combination of elite year-over-year recruiting and successes on the diamond, the Razorbacks have consistently pumped talent into the big leagues. With the exception of the COVID-shortened 2020 class, at least six Arkansas players have been selected in every MLB Draft since 2016.
The former Razorback making the most noise in the professional ranks this season has been outfielder Heston Kjerstad, who just got called back up to the Baltimore Orioles after going on a tear for the Norfolk Tides at the Triple A level. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, Kjerstad is slashing .349/.431/.744 this season with an OPS of 1.175.
In just 86 at-bats, Kjerstad has 10 home runs and 30 RBI. You could find a video almost every night of the Orioles’ No. 4 prospect going yard just by scrolling through X (formerly Twitter).
Kjerstad’s call-up makes him the ninth Pro Hog on a big league roster. That includes catcher and fellow Oriole James McCann, Chicago White Sox outfielders Dominic Fletcher and Andrew Benintendi, and pitchers Jalen Beeks (Colorado Rockies), Isaiah Campbell (Boston Red Sox), Drew Smyly (Chicago Cubs), Ryne Stanek (Seattle Mariners) and Trevor Stephan (Cleveland Guardians).
Below is a list highlighting some noteworthy former Razorbacks making their way through the minor leagues with the hopes of earning that call-up. A full list of Arkansas players in the professional ranks can be found on the team’s website.
Note: All stats are current as of April 23.
Kevin Kopps - RHP
Farm System: San Diego Padres
Level: El Paso Chihuahuas (AAA)
2024 Stats: 2.61 ERA, 10.1 IP, 10 Ks
The former Golden Spikes Award winner that carried Arkansas to a No. 1 national seed in 2021 ended up as a third-round draft pick despite being relatively-old as a prospect. Because of his experience, the crafty righty has been able to work his way through the minors pretty quickly. Kopps could certainly find himself in the Padres bullpen sometime soon.
Matt Cronin - LHP
Farm System: Washington Nationals
Level: Rochester Red Wings (AAA)
Career MiLB Stats: 2.59 ERA, 118.1 IP, 160 Ks
Cronin was advancing well through the Nationals system before a herniated disc caused him to undergo back surgery last summer. The dynamite closer is still recovering from that, and has yet to pitch in 2024.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
