MLB Draft Rewind: 2003
May 18, 2020
Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn took the helm of the Razorback baseball program on June 21, 2002, after Norm DeBriyn, Van Horn’s coach in 1982, served in the role for 33 years, as DVH headed back to the Hill carrying very successful stints as a Division-I coach at Northwestern State and Nebraska.
Van Horn’s first season as head coach of the Razorbacks resulted in a 35-22 overall record, a sixth-place finish in the Western Division and an appearance in the 2003 Austin Regional, picking up a 10-7 win over Bucknell in an elimination game. It would be 13 years before another season like Van Horn’s first, as the Hogs appeared in four of their six College World Series events under DVH during that stretch, including the following year.
As for the draft, four Razorbacks heard their name called in that year’s selection process, two pitchers and two outfielders.
2003 MLB DRAFT
Scott Roehl (RHP) – Cleveland Indians – 10th Round (288)
Andrew Wishy (OF) – Texas Rangers – 12th Round (346)
Jarrett Gardner (RHP) – Boston Red Sox – 19th Round (564)
Ryan Fox (OF) – Colorado Rockies – 21st Round (617)
Roehl, from Kenosha, Wisconsin, pitched for the Razorbacks from 2001-03, coming to Arkansas after passing on a 16th round selection in the 2000 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. Roehl made an impact immediately, putting his name in the record books by tossing the 11th no-hitter in program history against Kansas State on March 20, 2001, in a seven-inning showing. Roehl improved his draft stock and went in the 10th round in the 2003 draft to Cleveland, spending seven years in the organization, rising as high as Triple-A Columbus in 2009. He would also spend a year playing for the Rockford RiverHawks in the Northern League in Independent ball.
Wishy, a native of Independence, Missouri, also improved his place in the draft by joining the Razorbacks out of high school, getting taken in the 47th round in 2000 by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Wishy was a hitting machine, finishing second to current Arkansas Baseball Director of Operations Clay Goodwin (.332) in batting average with a .319 clip in 2003, racking up 67 hits, 34 for extra bases. His 25 doubles led the team that year and still ranks sixth in school history for a single season. Selected by the Rangers in 2003, Wishy spent three seasons with Spokane and Clinton in A ball, before playing two years in the Canadian-American Association.
Gardner, from Norman, Oklahoma, played two years for the Razorbacks in 2002-03 as a junior/senior starting pitcher. In 2003, Gardner 14-of-17 appearances, working two complete games with a 4-5 record and a save, striking out 58 and walking five. His five walks allowed still sits as the fewest allowed in a season, tied with Marshall Denton (30.0) innings, doing so over 93.1 innings pitched. After getting drafted by the Red Sox in 2003, Gardner spent three years in the system, reaching Double-A Portland in 2004, playing his final four years of pro ball for the Lincoln Saltdogs in the American Association.
Fox rounded out the 2003 draft class after patrolling the outfield for the Razorbacks from 2001-03. A native of Emporia, Kansas, Fox dug the long ball, launching 33 during his time on the Hill, which is just outside the top 10 at Arkansas thanks to Heston Kjerstad, including 19 his senior year for the Hogs. His 19 homers in 2003 ranked third in a single season by a Razorback, now sitting seventh, earning him All-SEC First Team honors. In 2003, he led the team in runs (50), RBIs (53), doubles (14), triples (2) and home runs (19). His pro career took him to High-A Modesto with the Rockies organization, before playing five years in independent ball.
On May 19, we’ll take a look at the 2004 draft, which featured five Hog selections, the most since 1999.
