Dose of California Brotherly Love Helps Helfrick Prepare For Razorbacks

Older brother Leighton pushed top-catching prospect to become future of the Hogs' catching core

Daniel Shi | Feb 6, 2024

Dose of California Brotherly Love Helps Helfrick Prepare For Razorbacks /

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Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — When Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn compares an incoming freshman to an MLB All-Star, you listen. True freshman Ryder Helfrick is next in line to follow a tradition of successful catchers for the Razorbacks.

"We have a freshman that can flat-out catch," Van Horn said in the fall. "This kid is coming out of high school, and he's handling guys 95, 96, 97 to 98. He's catching balls and making it look easy. He's strong with really good hands. I see a little bit of James McCann in him as a freshman, as far as receiving. That's a huge compliment to him, but he's athletic."

To understand Helfrick's path from Discovery Bay, California to the bright lights of the SEC in Fayetteville and Helfrick's drive, look no further than his older brother Leighton, an outfielder for UC Davis, and the bond the Helfrick family has formed throughout the years.

Throughout their upbringing, there was one constant, the boys' mother was at as many games as humanly possible, phone in hand and recording every single at-bat.

"She took us to all the tournaments," Leighton Hefrick said. "She supports in any way she can. She's videoed every single at-bat from when we were 8 years old. She needs to get the 500-gigabyte phones because she has every single at-bat we've ever taken."

Ryder always thought he would follow in his older brother's footsteps and play college baseball in California just like Leighton. The highly touted recruit was ranked the No. 3 catcher prospect nationally by Perfect Game for the class of 2023.

"I thought I wanted to stay close to home," Ryder said. "As I got older, I realized I wanted to get out of California and come out here and play in the SEC. I've heard nothing but good things about Arkansas. When I got the chance to play here, it was a no-brainer."

The two pushed each other all the way growing up. Playing together on the Clayton Valley Charter Ugly Eagles (yes, that's a real nickname thanks to an old football tradition at the school), the brothers established the classic relationship. As the younger sibling, Ryder spent most of his childhood trying to catch up to his older brother, who was always stronger and faster.

"[We were] super competitive," Ryder said. "I definitely don't think I would be the player I am today [without him]. He was always the better one growing up baseball-wise."

Leighton has no problem admitting that his little brother has surpassed him now, he's just sitting back and enjoying his brother's success.

"Once he started lifting his freshman-sophomore year of high school he got a little stronger [and] a little faster," Leighton said. " It was like 'Wow, this kid is different.' He wasn't the little kid anymore. He was bigger [and] stronger than I was. It's going to be fun to watch him."

This will be the first year the two brothers won't be together, separated by thousands of miles, but they will still serve as each other's hitting coaches and person to talk to off the field.

"We talk every single day," Ryder said. "Whether it's just about baseball or just talking. We talk a lot about hitting, he's a great older brother to have. He does everything the right way and is a great person to look up to."

In a few short months, under the tutelage of Bobby Wernes and the rest of the Hogs coaching staff, Ryder has taken steps in his development behind the plate.

"Being able to be with Bobby and be with all the catchers we have is really helpful," Ryder said. "You get to have good conversation with them about catching and what they think and pick their brains a little bit."

Razorbacks catcher Ryder Helfrick in scrimmage Friday — Arkansas Razorbacks catcher Ryder Helfrick at the plate looking down at first for signals from coach Bobby Wernes during Friday's scrimmage at Baum-Walker Stadium :: Andy Hodges / allHOGS Images

The feeling is mutual, fellow catchers on the Razorback roster recognize there's the potential for something special on their hands.

"He's a very talented young catcher," Parker Rowland said this past fall. "I think he's got a bright future here. Anything I can do to help him, he's the future of this program. He's going to be catching here for the next couple of years, he's going to be the face of the Hogs moving forward."

Ryder's Razorback journey is in its infancy and nothing is guaranteed. There is still a four-way battle for the starting catcher spot and playing time is anything but certain. However, two things are for sure – the brothers will keep in touch more than ever and if Mom is in the stands, she'll be recording all of Ryder's at-bats.

"If you see a woman with her phone out that's going to be her," Leighton said. "I'll send him video of baseball and we just talk through stuff. If anything, we're closer than we were before."

Freshman Adds to Loaded Catching Room for Razorbacks

The Razorbacks open their season against James Madison at Baum-Walker Stadium next Friday, Feb. 13 at 3 p.m. inside Baum-Walker Stadium. The game will be streamed on SEC Network+.