Razorbacks Avoid Getting "Killed" in Draft Like Last Year

Top Arkansas Signee goes undrafted, will dawn Hog colors

Arkansas batter Kendall Diggs celebrates after hitting the walk-off solo homer in extra innings to down Texas A&M / Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA

ARLINGTON, Texas — Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn lamented how the 2023 signing class was decimated by the MLB Draft, with four high schoolers opting for pro ball instead of being a Razorback. Turning a top recruiting class of 2023, according to Perfect Game into another early exit in the NCAA Tournament.

"Last year the draft killed us," Van Horn said after losing in the Fayetteville Regional for the second straight year. "Absolutely killed us. We lost four freshmen last year that would’ve been freshmen on this team. They got $11 million total for all four of them."

This year, there should be no such problem. The third and final day of the 2024 MLB Draft concluded with just two more Razorbacks selected. A pair of pitchers were selected in the later rounds. Jake Faherty was selected in the 11th round with the 334th overall pick by the Miami Marlins. Brady Tygart was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 12th round with the 357th overall pick.

Also, only two signees have been drafted. Shortstop Tyson Lewis, who was drafted in the second round, has already announced his intentions to sign with the Cincinnati Reds.

#BREAKING: Tyson Lewis (@Tlewi212) tells me he intends to sign with the Cincinnati Reds.

The @MWCatsBaseball shortstop was selected with the 51st overall pick in the MLB Draft, with an approximate slot value of $1.8 million.

Hear more from Lewis at 6:00 and 10:00 on @KETV. 📺 pic.twitter.com/EqnJ0rkXUJ

— Matt Sottile (@MSottileTV) July 15, 2024

Eli Lovich, younger brother of Arkansas outfielder Ross Lovich, was also drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 11th round. A prime round to spend the money that a team has saved from under-slotting in the first 10 rounds. The rest of both the incoming transfer class and freshman class went undrafted, including another former Razorback's younger sibling. Carson Wiggins, brother of Jaxon Wiggins, was a pitcher ranked inside MLB.com's top 100 prospects, but ended the draft as the third highest prospect left on the board.

Kendall Diggs also went undrafted, all but guaranteeing a fourth year in a Hog uniform, presumably locking down a corner infield spot.

Arkansas 2024 Signing Class (18):
Tag Andrews
Zane Becker
Brenton Clark
Eli Crecelius
Lance Davis
Steele Eaves
Jackson Farrell
Ross Felder
Gabe Fraser
Cole Gibler
Brent Iredale
Sam Lee
Tyson Lewis (Expected to sign)
Eli Lovich (Drafted, Potential to sign)
Wade Mountz
Justin Thomas
Carson Wiggins
Carson Willis

2024 Transfer Class (11):

Camden Kozeal (Vanderbilt)
Zach Root (East Carolina)
Michael Anderson (Rhode Island)
Aiden Jimenez (Oregon State)
Rocco Peppi (Fresno State)
Landon Beidelschies (Ohio State)
Logan Maxwell (TCU)
Maximus Martin (Georgia State)

Carson Hansen (Milwaukee)
Charles Davalan (FGCU)

Kuhio Aloy (BYU)

HOGS FEED:

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