How Razorback Pros Fared on MLB's Opening Weekend

As current team sits at No.1, seven former ProHogs kick off season over the weekend

Mar 30, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher James McCann (27) singles in the bottom of the eighth against the Los Angeles Angels in a 13-4 win at Camden Yards / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

While the current Arkansas team just came off a three-game sweep of LSU, there are seven former Razorbacks whose seasons just got underway when the 2024 MLB season kicked off Thursday. Here's how each of them did.

Jalen Beeks:

Beeks made two appearances for his new team, the Colorado Rockies, after five seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rockies signed him to a one-year, $1.625 million contract in the offseason after being claimed off waivers. Beeks finished the weekend with 2 2/3 scoreless innings with two walks and two strikeouts.

Andrew Benintendi

Benintendi enters his second season of a 5-year, $75 million contract. He finished opening weekend going 2-for-12 in three games with a walk and three strikeouts as the White Sox got swept by the Detroit Tigers in three one-run games.

Dominic Fletcher:

Fletcher became outfield mates with Benintendi after an offseason trade sent him from Arizona to the south side of Chicago. After not getting the start on opening day, Fletcher started the next two games of the series, going 0-for-6 with a walk.

Isaiah Campbell:

Campbell was traded in the offseason from Seattle to Boston for infielder Luis Urias. As luck would have it, the Red Sox split a four-game series against the Mariners to open the season. Campbell made two appearances, pitching two innings, allowing one run and striking out three.

Ryne Stanek:

There was another former Razorback opposite Campbell in the other bullpen on opening day. Stanek made his first appearance for the Mariners after three seasons with the Astros. He pitched 2/3 of an inning in his only appearance, walking and striking out a batter.

James McCann:

McCann appeared as a pinch-hitter Saturday and got the start Sunday as the Orioles slid primary catcher Adley Rutschman to designated hitter. McCann started the season 2-for-4 (both singles) as the Orioles took two out of three against the Angels.

Drew Smyly:

Smyly starts his 11th season in the big leagues with the Chicago Cubs and with Dallas Keuchel not currently on a roster, he assumes the mantle of the most veteran Razorback. Smyly starts the season in the Cubs' bullpen after starting for most of the past decade. He allowed a walk-off single to the Rangers' Jonah Heim on opening day in extra innings as the Cubs lost two out of three to the defending World Series Champs.

Meanwhile, this year's Razorbacks take on Arkansas State 6 p.m. Tuesday at Baum-Walker Stadium. The game will be streamed on SEC Network+.

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