Van Horn Getting JUCO Transfers Down to Science

Roster for new season full of potential contributors as fall scrimmaging continues

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn's resume speaks for itself. Now entering his 22nd season as the head Hog, Van Horn has made the College World Series seven times and has 839 total wins with the Razorbacks. 

Part of Van Horn's success can be attributed to his willingness to look far and wide for talent. He played at a junior college for two seasons (1980-81, McLennan CC) and understands the importance of searching the JUCO ranks for talent. With players going pro every year, it is imperative to replenish the roster every year. What followed is a domino effect that is immensely satisfying to watch. 

Infielder Ben McLaughlin transferred from Hutchinson Community College last year and made quite the impact. He started 21 games and slashed .346/.442/.487 in 78 at-bats and became the starting designated hitter down the stretch late last year because of injuries to other players on the team. 

Fast forward a year later, another Hutchinson transfer looks in line to claim a starting role on the 2024 roster. The college of just over 5,000 students in Hutchinson Kan. will potentially supply the defending SEC regular-season champions with two starters. Outfielder Will Edmunson comes to Fayetteville from Hutchinson as well looking to lock down one of the three starting spots in the outfield. Edmunson has impressed in the fall scrimmages so far, goin 12-for-30 with two homers, according to unofficial stats compiled by various Arkansas media members. He also scaled the center field wall to take a homer away in the most recent scrimmage Monday. He partly credits seeing what McLaughlin did last year giving him the confidence to try his hand at the upper echelons of Division I Baseball. 

"Seeing him (McLaughlin) do it gave me a lot of confidence knowing that I can do it," Edmunson said. "We come from the same place, have similar numbers."

Eight players on the 2023 fall roster have previous stops at a community college. Pitchers Dylan Carter (Crowder College) and Koty Frank (Eastern Oklahoma State College) were some of Van Horn's most trusted arms before both going down with season-ending injuries. 

Infielder Peyton Holt (Crowder College) hit .392/.489/.581 in 31 games last year with the Hogs, mostly at second base, and should be in a full-time starting role this year. Catcher Parker Rowland (Eastern Oklahoma State College) became the everyday catcher last season. Hunter Grimes (McLennan CC) saw time in the outfield, going 5-for-27. 

"From here on in, until maybe some rules change, you're gonna see some older rosters, especially with the teams that are in the SEC." Van Horn said. 

Arkansas will continue to scrimmage throughout the fall. The season starts at home in Baum-Walker Stadium on Feb. 16 against James Madison. 

HOGS FEED:

POST DEPICTS E-MAIL EXCHANGE BETWEEN HOGS OC DAN ENOS, STUDENT, BUT IS IT LEGIT OR HOAX?

SOME MAJOR CHANGES COMING IN RAZORBACKS' OFFENSE LINE AND IT STARTED MONDAY

PITTMAN'S GOAL AGAINST A DANGEROUS OLE MISS OFFENSE IS JUST TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF BIG PLAYS

• Return to allHogs home page
• Subscribe and follow us on YouTube
• Follow allHOGS on Twitter and Facebook