is that they are going to be really good again. I know that there is thought that Kevin Kopps is gone and he figured in almost every victory. I do not think this team will lack pitching or offense and is going to be terrific on defense again.
How can that be? You lose Kopps, Casey Opitz and Christian Franklin and still going to be good?
I think almost as good is the answer, or it could be a better team.
I’ve heard from several scouts almost the same thing as I heard last year, that the scrimmages are like watching two Super Regional teams go at each other. Take your pick, both lineups are terrific. A scout that was just at Arkansas visited with a coach at another school and told the coaches, “You don’t want to schedule Arkansas anytime soon. I’ve seen what they have and what’s coming. They are really good and going to stay that way.”
It’s exactly the reason Van Horn does not want to scrimmage another college team. That’s two times that some of your best players are not on the field. Scrimmaging your team is a better option.
I think the power will be substantial again, if not better. The big boppers that return from last year are better, all much stronger and more physical. The additions can all hit.
You will want to have a fast start if you are a player on this team, because the guy behind you can play, too. He may get in the lineup (like Slavens did last year) and not give up his spot.
Cadyn Wallace, Robert Moore and Brady Slavens give you incredible punch to start with and Braydon Webb is off to a terrific start. He might be better (at the plate and on defense) than Christian Franklin in center field.
The pitching might be deeper across the board than last year. The guy who comes from off the radar (and there are always some) might be Evan Taylor. Connor Noland, Jackson Wiggins, Zack Morris and many others have dazzled.
It’s supreme talent everywhere you look. Three deep in most places. And, that talent is still not the most impressive thing about the Arkansas baseball team, it’s the work ethic.