Wilmsmeyer Gives Razorbacks Huge Potential Out of Nine-Hole

Missouri's former leadoff hitter transitions to new role as "second leadoff hitter" for Hogs

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Don't let his spot in the order fool you, Ty Wilmsmeyer can hit. Gone are the days where the bottom of the order was for hiding the team's least competent hitter. Dave Van Horn has a purpose for putting the Missouri transfer in the nine-spot. 

"I think that’s probably been going on for a long time [putting a speedster in the nine-spot], Van Horn said. "If he gets on there [in the nine-hole], you flip the lineup back to the top. A lot of times, it’s like having two runners at the top and then your 2-3-4 can hopefully get a few more fastballs to hit. It’s smart baseball if you can do it." 

Wilmsmeyer hit primarily leadoff last year at Mizzou and has already made an immediate impact out of the nine-hole after taking a little time to adjust to dawning new SEC colors. In a 15-5 win over James Madison, Wilmsmeyer went 3-for-5 with a homer and a career-high five RBIs along with a homer-robbing catch in center field. 

"You transfer in from another school [and] especially one from the same conference," Van Horn said. "It’d probably be a little stressful. You just gotta relax and get comfortable and I think he’s starting to feel that way."

It's a welcome change for Razorback fans from last season. John Bolton, the primary nine-hole hitter last year, hit just .206 with seven stolen bases. Bolton started all 51 games in the nine-spot . 

Having a second leadoff hitter in theory would allow players like Hudson White, Kendall Diggs and Wehiwa Aloy to perhaps drive in a few more runs. That already came to fruition in the most recent game, Wilmsmeyer used his speed to stay out of an inning-ending double play. The next batter, white roped a double, driving in two more runs as part of a six-run inning that blew the game open for Arkansas.

The Hogs look to win the series against James Madison 1 p.m. Feb. 18. The game will be streamed on SEC Network Plus+.

HOGS FEED:

HOGS SHOW OFF FIELDING ABILITY AND BATS IN GETTING SECOND STRAIGHT WIN, DOWNING JAMES MADISON

BATTLE, MITCHELL HELP TEASE RAZORBACK FANS GETTING CLOSE TO PULLING OUT ROAD WIN AT MISSISSIPPI STATE

RAZORBACKS STRUGGLE INSIDE WITH SHORT ROSTER AGAINST PHYSICAL MISSISSIPPI STATE

• Subscribe and follow us on YouTube
• Follow allHOGS on Twitter and Facebook