2025 Razorback Baseball

[Pig Benis]

I enjoy the PBP for the Uecker-esque commentary and humor. I also rely on it if I miss something or an entire game from being at my kids' games.

Same here. It's usually pretty damn funny. Hell, I follow it in between innings while I'm watching the games.

[BASS]

I've gone back and read through many a baseball pbp after the game

[Pig Benis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cm-pvt3u-8

[Pig Benis]

Get your piss hot:


Arkansas winning big in the regular season is as sure a thing as any in the SEC. It has been in a regional in 20 of the last 21 seasons. It has won at least 18 SEC regular-season games every season since bottoming out and finishing last in the conference in 2016. It has won 40 or more games overall 15 times under Dave Van Horn, and have only fallen short of that total twice since 2009—in 2016, of course, but also in 2013, when it won 39 games.

Nothing different in that regard should be expected in 2025, given that Arkansas has the best starting rotation in the country on paper, a bullpen full of fireballers and a lineup that looks improved when compared to the previous couple of years.

In short, it's another Razorbacks team that is rightly considered to be among the preseason favorites to win a national championship, the one thing that has eluded DVH during this otherwise unbelievable run of success for a program that found another gear under his leadership.

And if Arkansas gets to Omaha, it will have overcome another bit of postseason anxiety it has encountered of late—home losses in postseason rounds before the College World Series. The last four times it has failed to get to Omaha (2017, 2022, 2023, 2024), it has lost in a home regional or super regional.

Getting eliminated in a home regional happens. Just as Oklahoma State, which it has happened to several times of late (including in 2022, when Arkansas won a regional in Stillwater) or Florida, which did it in back-to-back postseasons in 2021 and 2022. But given how consistent Arkansas has been in every other way, it is a strange trend, and most likely one that doesn't necessarily mean anything more than the Razorbacks just simply had some bad days at the ballpark at precisely the worst time to do so.

In the big picture, there are few programs in a healthier place than this one. It has stable leadership, very little off-field drama seems to emanate from the program, and the faithful packs into Baum-Walker Stadium by the thousands. Have there been some disappointing endings in recent seasons? Sure, but to use those data points as an impetus to make changes to an otherwise excellent program would be foolish and would represent taking for granted the consistency Arkansas enjoys from year to year.

Storylines to Follow

The home postseason jinx must end: In three of the last four seasons, Arkansas had great regular seasons and lost at home in the postseason. The season in which the Razorbacks didn't host a regional (2022), they went on the road to win their way to Omaha. There are dozens of theories why Arkansas has struggled in home postseason games ranging from roster composition, too many home run hitters, too few home run hitters, just the right amount of home run hitters, not enough pitching depth, too much pitching depth, and too many BBQ nachos in the pre-game meals. Regardless of the reasons, if Arkansas hosts again this June as expected, the pressure will reach a fever pitch each time the opposition gets a baserunner. Dave Van Horn has accomplished nearly everything in the sport but hasn't had the final dogpile of the season. This team appears as talented as any. Can it handle whatever caused predecessors to stumble?

How improved is the offense? Seven of the top 11 batters from last year's offense have moved on. It was a solid offense, but not one that will rank among the best in the conference. This season's squad has a chance to be improved despite the losses thanks to an influx of transfers and maturation of returnees. Of the returnees, Wehiwa Aloy (.270/.355/.485) slugged a team-high 14 home runs a year ago and is poised for an even bigger 2025. Nolan Souza (.255/.366/.509) and Ryder Helfrick (.179/.320/.321) each had moments as freshmen last season and are breakout candidates. Kendall Diggs (.229/.346/.395) is healthy after a challenging 2024. The Hogs are excited about JC transfers in third baseman Brent Iredale and outfielder Justin Thomas, TCU transfer Logan Maxwell, and FGCU transfer Charles Davalan. Add in Vanderbilt transfer Cam Kozeal, Rhode Island transfer Michael Anderson, Fresno State transfer Rocco Peppi, and BYU transfer Kuhio Aloy, and you have the makings of a much more physical lineup.

Gaeckle's move to the rotation: The SEC had several great freshman arms last season but Gabe Gaeckle arguably was the best. He appeared in 22 games with no starts, finishing 3-3 with a gaudy 2.32 ERA and seven saves. At the end of the season, he was likely the best non-Hagen Smith pitcher on the team. Had the Razorbacks advanced out of the regional round, he may have made his first start in the super regionals. Instead, that first start is expected to come in February versus Washington State in the opener. Gaeckle has a fastball from 94-98 mph, a slider from 84-88, a curve at 78-81, and a change at 86-88. After 57 strikeouts to 19 walks in 42.2 innings last season, one has to wonder what his numbers will look like with twice the load in 2025.

An embarrassment of riches on the mound: Gaeckle is just one of many talented arms on the Razorbacks' staff. The coaching staff was active in the portal, bringing in two of the most prized lefthanders available in Zach Root from East Carolina and Landon Beidelshies from Ohio State. Both are potential Friday starters on almost every other club, but are fighting for starting roles in Fayetteville. Gage Wood (3-2, 4.46) has been a reliever in his first two seasons, but like Gaeckle, is eyeing a rotation spot this spring. Cole Gibler and Carson Wiggins are two of the top freshman pitchers in the country and will have roles. Christian Foutch is an elite arm that flirts with triple digits on his fastball. Will McEntire is back for yet another season as DVH's security blanket since he has been effective as a starter, long reliever, and stopper. Hunter Dietz was a prized recruit a year ago who missed the season with an injury. Colin Fisher is back after an injury derailed his 2024. He was a midweek starter as a freshman. Ben Bybee is another quality option as is former Oregon State weekend starter Aiden Jimenez as he comes back from an injury. It's a stacked deck for pitching coach Matt Hobbs. How he plays his hand will be fascinating to watch unfold.

A healthy Diggs is a key: One of the biggest memories for Arkansas fans as they recall last season is what would the Arkansas team have been like with a healthy Kendall Diggs. In 2024, Diggs appeared on the verge of breaking out and becoming an SEC star. Instead, he battled a shoulder injury that limited his mobility and production. He never wavered, never complained, but his average dropped 70 points instead of making the leap we were all expecting. He's back now and eyeing the season we envisioned, just a calendar year later. If he can reach his potential, Arkansas goes from a good offense to one pitching coaches will shudder to face.

Things could go right if: It turns out that Arkansas has the best pitching staff in the country not just on paper but in practice, and when combined with a lineup that's more physical and dynamic than in recent years, it puts the program in position to win its first national championship.

Things could go wrong if: The lineup is marginally better but not better enough to be among the best in the SEC, and the pitching staff is simply very good rather than overwhelming, and taken together, that makes the Razorbacks a potential CWS team but not necessarily a serious contender to lift the trophy in the end.

Anonymous Coach Scouting Report
"The best recruiting program in the entire country. The amount of talent that they always end up with is mind-boggling, honestly."

"They are always a program that is going to scare you. They have unbelievable facilities and an incredible coaching staff. The environment is great. They are always going to be right there, whether they are winning the league or finishing in the top three. Coach Van Horn really knows what he's doing."

"It's the toughest place to win on the road. They pitch and defend at a super high level. They don't beat themselves. You have to take it."

[Show-Me Hog]

I also watch the play-by-play during a game. I hit refresh to get those in-window updates. Thanks to all who do it.

[DirkPiggler]

Like I said, wasn't trying to be a dick.  Just trying to save you and that old dumbass from having to work so damn hard to replicate something that AI is doing just fine with on multiple platforms. 

I do like your call when a Razorback hits a home run though.  And several other of your expressions.  That other guy, not so much.

I didn't take offense. 

You made good points.  But it's fun for me and apparently for some others, so the will of Woopig be done. 

[BEvERage]

Games on the ESPN+ this weekend?

[Son of Spam]

Games on the ESPN+ this weekend?

I think so.

[Pig Benis]

Games on the ESPN+ this weekend?

Yes. Every home game is on there.

[BEvERage]

Yes. Every home game is on there.

Nice

[Pig Benis]

https://x.com/razorbackbsb/status/1889706119704019263

[BEvERage]

I hope Flo sports is easier to join and cancel than it has been the last few years. I'm assuming their production will stink as usual.

[woodhog14]

Games on the ESPN+ this weekend?

All home games are always on SECN+.

It's been that way since 2014.

ESPN+ is a subscription service and you don't need that to watch SECN+. If you have a tv provider that has ESPN, then you have access to SECN+.

Hope that helps!

[Pig Benis]

Sounds like we're getting a double header on Friday.

[Pig Benis]

I hope Flo sports is easier to join and cancel than it has been the last few years. I'm assuming their production will stink as usual.

I just signed up again for the month. I haven't had any issues canceling. I thought the production was much better last year. The year before was awful.

[buff2.0]

https://x.com/RazorbackBSB/status/1890209351601639630

[hit_that_line]

Jimenez looks like he could be a bastard son of Miguel Angel.

[BASS]

Shout out to the Bryant Hornets. Woot woot.

[wmr]

Hopefully Nate Thompson can dig real deep and get us in the top 10 in the SEC in hitting this year.

But I'm not holding my breath.

[vegashog]

https://x.com/mdt1021/status/1890172750666559496