FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas baseball opens its 45-day fall baseball window today with a 3 p.m. practice that is open to the public at Baum Stadium.
The Razorbacks went 40-25 last season, advancing to the NCAA regionals for the 13th consecutive year. Arkansas has several returning starters and a group of freshmen that was rated as one of the nation's top signing classes.
Here are five things to watch this fall:
Catcher: There really hasn't been much question about who will play catcher the last five years with James McCann and Jake Wise on campus. Wise is now a student assistant and helping coach the position, which appears to be wide open. Sophomore Alex Gosser shed his redshirt late last season and played well behind the plate. Redshirt sophomore Blake Baxendale also has experience there, but struggled some defensively before a season-ending injury. Baxendale will practice as a first baseman this fall. Nathan Rodriguez is a heralded defender out of the California prep ranks and could push for playing time the same way McCann did as a freshman.
Freshmen: Pitcher Keaton McKinney, outfielder Luke Bonfield and catcher Nathan Rodriguez were all rated among the top 200 draft prospects regardless of classification by Baseball America. Pitcher Jonah Patten was once considered the best prospect in his home state of Indiana before missing his senior season and infielder Blake Wiggins was the Arkansas player of the year last season at Pulaski Academy. All figure to get plenty of action this fall in preparation for playing time in the spring. Infielder Keith Grieshaber and outfielder Jack Benninghoff also arrive on campus with good high school credentials. Grieshaber was a two-sport star in high school and was named the Missouri Gatorade player of the year in soccer as a senior.
Left-handed pitching: Arkansas has no returning experience from the left side of the mound. Jalen Beeks and Michael Gunn were drafted earlier this year, and Colin Poche transferred after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The Razorbacks' top left-handed signee, Sam Hentges, signed with the Cleveland Indians this summer. The team's best option from the left side is likely to be freshman Ryan Fant, the younger brother of former Razorbacks pitcher Randall Fant.
Indoor facility: Arkansas gets to utilize its indoor facility this fall for the first time as a team. The $9.6 million building gives the Razorbacks a chance to hit and defend live pitching indoors. It will likely come in handy during some of those rainy, cool days in October, but coaches said the facility won't be used just during inclement weather.
Teague: Right-hander James Teague had a great summer pitching in the Northwoods League and after developing a third pitch should make a push for a starting job in the spring. Teague's two-seam fastball was clocked in the mid-90s this summer.
2014 Fall Baseball Roster
1 Rick Nomura, INF, 5-9, 170, Jr.
3 Michael Bernal, INF, 5-11, 190, R-Jr.
4 Nathan Rodriguez, C, 5-11, 205, Fr.
5 Brett McAfee, INF, 6-0, 190, Sr.
6 Blake Wiggins, INF/C, 6-1, 205, Fr.
7 Bobby Wernes, INF, 6-3, 195, Jr.
8 Tyler Spoon, OF/INF, 5-11, 190, R-Jr.
9 Clark Eagan, OF/INF, 6-1, 170, So.
10 Joe Serrano, OF, 6-0, 195, Sr.
11 Keaton McKinney, RHP/1B, 6-5, 230, Fr.
12 Max Hogan, INF, 5-11, 190, Jr.
13 Blake Jones, INF, 5-9, 165, Fr.
14 Matt Campbell, INF, 6-0, 175, Jr.
15 Keith Grieshaber, INF, 6-2, 185, Fr.
16 Andrew Benintendi, OF, 5-10, 175, So.
17 Luke Bonfield, OF, 6-2, 185, Fr.
19 Chad Spanberger, C/1B, 6-2, 220, Fr.
20 Carson Shaddy, C/OF, 5-10, 170, R-Fr.
21 Trey Killian, RHP, 6-2, 190, Jr.
24 Blake Baxendale, 1B, 6-3, 220, R-So.
25 Dominic Taccolini, RHP, 6-3, 230, So.
26 Jack Benninghoff, OF, 5-11, 190, Fr.
27 Tucker Pennell, C, 6-2, 200, Jr.
28 James Teague, RHP, 6-0, 185, So.
29 Cullen Gassaway, INF, 6-2, 215, Jr.
30 Jacob Stone, RHP, 6-1, 205, Sr.
32 Zach Jackson, RHP, 6-3, 195, So.
33 Krisjon Wilkerson, OF, 6-2, 220, Sr.
34 Parker Sanburn, RHP, 6-1, 190, R-Fr.
35 Jackson Lowery, RHP, 6-0, 175, R-Sr.
36 Cannon Chadwick, RHP, 6-0, 210, So.
38 Andrew Kelley, RHP, 6-7, 225, R-Fr.
39 Kyle Pate, LHP, 6-1, 190, Fr.
40 Kevin Silky, INF, 6-5, 200, Fr.
41 Darien Simms, OF, 5-7, 155, Fr.
43 Dominic Todarello, OF, 5-11, 185, R-Fr.
44 Alex Gosser, C, 6-0, 215, So.
46 Josh Alberius, INF, 5-11, 170, R-So.
47 Lawson Vassar, RHP, 6-3, 195, R-Fr.
48 Jonah Patten, RHP, 6-3, 195, Fr.
49 Ryan Fant, LHP, 6-5, 210, Fr.
50 Lance Philliips, RHP, 6-4, 210, Sr.
51 Zach Barr, LHP, 6-3, 200, R-Jr.
52 Jake Smith, RHP, 6-3, 205, R-Fr.
53 Mark Hammel, RHP, 6-0, 195, Fr.
54 Henry Weiler, RHP, 6-4, 220, R-Fr.
55 Austin Kerns, LHP, 6-2, 210, R-Fr.
56 Sean Reardon, LHP, 6-1, 175, Fr.
Head Coach: Dave Van Horn, 13th season
Assistant Coach: Tony Vitello, 2nd season
Assistant Coach: Dave Jorn, 19th season
Volunteer Coach: Christian Kowalchuk, 1st season
Student Assistant Coach: Tim Carver, 2nd season
Student Assistant Coach: Jake Wise, 1st season