FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas has added at least two junior college players to its 2014 roster, according to their former schools.
First baseman Mike Parker and outfielder Garrett Gordon have signed with the Razorbacks, who could add more JUCO players to next season's roster after having a NCAA-high 11 players selected in last week's MLB Draft.
"We're fighting to keep guys so we can put together a team that can battle next year," Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said last week. "I feel like we'll be picked in the middle of the pack next year because we're losing so many guys. We're trying to plan for it. I'm not big into junior college guys but you've got to do what you've got to do."
Parker was named the most valuable player of the Jayhawk Conference eastern division after batting .434 with seven home runs and 56 RBIs this season at Cowley College in Arkansas City, Kansas. Parker, a Jacksonville, Fla. native, was the league's newcomer of the year as a freshman.
“The stats don’t lie,” Cowley College coach Dave Burroughs said. “It shows the kind of respect he has from people in this league. It’s nice to see good things happen to good people.”
Arkansas will likely lose starting first baseman Dominic Ficociello next season after the junior was drafted in the 12th round by the Detroit Tigers. Redshirt sophomore Eric Fisher, who also spent time starting at first base this year, was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 30th round, but could return to school without losing negotiating leverage for a pro contract in 2014.
Gordon batted .315 with four home runs and 40 RBIs for Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel, Ill. this season. He also added 33 walks, 15 stolen bases and was a 23rd round MLB Draft pick of the Washington Nationals last weekend.
The Saline, Mich. native played at Wabash Valley after spending his freshman season at Spring Arbor University. As a freshman he led his team with 53 RBIs.
Arkansas' outfield could look much different in 2014. Matt Vinson is gone to graduation and redshirt junior Jacob Morris signed Tuesday with the Chicago White Sox.
In addition, Van Horn said last week that starting corner outfielders Brian Anderson and Tyler Spoon could be used in the infield next year.
Outfielder Andrew Benintendi, a 31st round pick of the Cincinnati Reds last week, is expected to turn down a pro contract and attend Arkansas after signing with the Razorbacks last November. Benintendi set Ohio state career records for hits and runs scored during his high school career.
Taylor Harris contributed to this story