Hogs Boast Collegiate Baseball’s No. 3 Recruiting Class

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Dave Van Horn and the Razorbacks have once again landed one of college baseball’s top recruiting classes.

Arkansas’ 2022 group of freshmen and transfers was tabbed the nation’s third best by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, which released its top-50 list on Friday. The Hogs brought in 28 newcomers, including 13 freshmen, 10 junior college products, and five Division I transfers.

Fellow SEC programs LSU and Mississippi State were ranked first and second, respectively, in Collegiate Baseball’s recruiting class rankings. In total, 13 of the 14 SEC programs, including Arkansas, were listed in the publication’s Top 50.

This is the second year in a row that Arkansas has landed a top-five recruiting class as well as its third consecutive year with a top-10 recruiting class according to Collegiate Baseball. Arkansas is the only team in the country to earn a top-five recruiting class ranking in back-to-back years from Collegiate Baseball, as the Hogs’ 2021 group of signees was lauded as the country’s fourth-best class.

Perfect Game and Baseball America, meanwhile, ranked Arkansas’ recruiting class as the ninth best and 11th best, respectively, in the country. The Razorbacks are one of 10 SEC programs on Baseball America’s final 2022 recruiting class rankings, with LSU topping the top-25 list.

11. Arkansas
Recruiting coordinator: Nate Thompson
Top recruit: Mason Neville, OF (No. 184)

Overview: The Razorbacks bring in another strong class that’s especially heavy on high-upside position players. With four regulars from their lineup drafted in the top 10 rounds this summer, those newcomers should have an opportunity to make an immediate impact in Fayetteville.

Hitters: Neville has standout athleticism and a good lefthanded swing. He’s a plus runner with a strong arm and offers a lot of upside. Infielder Jayson Jones (185) has an explosive righthanded swing that produces plus power potential. He has some swing and miss to his game, but he’s not an all-or-nothing hitter and could quickly step into the middle of the order for Arkansas. He was a shortstop in high school and has made strides defensively, but he has a big frame and may end up profiling best at third base. Infielder Harold Coll is coming off a strong season at San Jacinto (Texas) JC, where he hit 10 home runs and stole 15 bases. He’s an above-average runner and is a solid defender who figures to step in on the left side of the infield. Infielder Easton Swofford is a good athlete who has an advanced feel for the barrel. He has some power potential and projects to be able to stay up the middle defensively. Ryan Ward has a simple lefthanded swing and good plate discipline. He’s a good athlete who offers a lot of versatility defensively. Caleb Cali is coming off an All-American season at Central Florida JC, as he hit .438/.533/.826 with 17 home runs. He’s a corner infielder who fits best at first base. Hunter Grimes and Ben McLaughlin, also junior college transfers, add two more big bats to the Razorbacks’ class.

Pitchers: Lefthander Parker Coil (241) has an exciting combination of upside and pitchability. Listed at 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, he has an easy delivery and pounds the strike zone with three pitches. His fastball works in the upper 80s now with room for improvement and he pairs it with a good breaking ball. Lefthander Hunter Hollan was a two-year standout at San Jacinto (Texas) JC and was drafted by the Brewers in the 15th round in 2021. His fastball sits in the low 90s and he pairs it with a good slider. Righthander Cody Adcock, a junior college transfer, has a low-90s fastball and pairs it with a powerful curveball. Righthander Cooper Dossett is a good athlete with a big arm. His fastball gets into the low 90s now and there’s more velocity to come. He’s a good athlete and could be a two-way player as an outfielder, but his biggest upside is on the mound. Righthander Gage Wood has a low-90s fastball and good feel for spinning his breaking ball. Righthander Christian Foutch is a good athlete with a fastball that gets up to 94 mph. Righthander Ben Bybee has a big build at 6-foot-6, 225 pounds, an easy low-90s fastball and plenty to dream on.

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