Arkansas Lands D1Baseball’s Top Freshman Class
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Razorbacks’ 2024 freshman class is ranked No. 1 in the country by D1Baseball.
D1Baseball’s top-25 freshman class rankings take instant impact into consideration while also placing stock on future projection. Arkansas is ranked ahead of No. 2 UCLA, No. 3 North Carolina, No. 4 Texas A&M and No. 5 NC State, with the SEC boasting nine teams in the publication’s top 25.
1. Arkansas
RECRUITING COORDINATOR: Nate Thompson
HEADLINERS: The Hogs hit the jackpot with a remarkable collection of freshman arms buttressed by a blue-chip catcher and some nice positional building blocks. LHP Hunter Dietz (No. 6 on the Prep Baseball Report list of the top 150 incoming freshmen) is the top-ranked prospect in this group, a 6-foot-6, 230-pound ox who ran his heater up to 96 this fall along with an excellent splitter and a good slider. He figures to be a rotation mainstay over the course of his Arkansas career and stands a good chance to depart campus as a first-round pick. RHP Gabe Gaeckle (No. 26) also has a high ceiling, and he was even more electric than Dietz in our fall look, showcasing an exciting four-pitch arsenal and the ability to miss bats with multiple pitches. He came out of the chute firing 95-96 mph heat with excellent carry in the first inning, when he struck out the side, and then settled in at 92-94 for the next two innings. An athletic, live-bodied 6-foot, 190-pound righty with an over-the-top slot, Gaeckle also features a 12-to-6 hammer at 77-79 with tight spin into the 3000 rpm range, as well as an 82-84 slider spinning in the 2800-2900s, and a promising mid-80s changeup. He has future star written all over him. The same is true of catcher Ryder Helfrick (No. 49), who stood out this fall for his innate knack for finding the barrel, emerging right-handed power, and superb catch-and-throw skills. Don’t be surprised if he wins a fierce battle against several older veterans and winds up leading the Hogs’ catching corps as a freshman.
CONTRIBUTORS: The coaches are also excited about freshman right-hander Tate McGuire (No. 123) and freshman lefty Colin Fisher. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound McGuire has the ability to sink or ride his 92-96 mph fastball, and he’s already improved his slider to accompany his filthy changeup. The 6-3, 215-pound Fisher is a “throwback lefty” who attacks at 90-93 with a true lateral slurve with good depth and a useful changeup. He generates steep angle and isn’t afraid to pitch in against righties. A few other freshmen provide additional depth on the mound. Bazooka-armed 6-foot-5 lefty Adam Hachman (No. 35) spent the fall working his way back from the internal brace surgery he had in high school, but he should be 100 percent by the start of the season. He ran his heater up to 99 or 100 mph in high school, though his control is a work in progress. On the other end of the spectrum, Korean freshman Jaewoo Choo is a funky pitchability righty who uses an exaggerated pause in his delivery to mess with hitters’ timing, then relies upon the arm-side run on his 87-89 fastball along with the ability to mix in three solid off-speed pitches. Six-foot-6 lefty Tucker Holland (No. 104) and 6-4 lefty Jack Smith are longer-term projects with upside, giving Arkansas more building blocks for the future. Infielder Nolan Souza (No. 44) was a well known prep prospect who could wind up as an offensive second baseman or third baseman as his career unfolds.
— Aaron Fitt
The Razorbacks, led by head coach Dave Van Horn, begin the 2024 campaign with a four-game series against James Madison inside the friendly confines of Baum-Walker Stadium. First pitch on Opening Day is set for 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16.
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