Pro Hogs

MLB spring training preview

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Mike Bolsinger works in the second inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta, Saturday, July 5, 2014. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

The Arkansas baseball season is just around the corner, meaning Major League Baseball's spring training is, too.

Last season, nine former Razorbacks saw action in the big leagues. Here is an update on how they, as well as a couple others, performed in 2014 and what they have been up to during the offseason.

Mike Bolsinger - Los Angeles Dodgers

The right-hander split last season between triple-A and the Arizona Diamondbacks. In two separate stints with the big-league club, he was 1-6 in nine starts and had a 5.50 ERA.

In November, he was traded from Arizona to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for cash. Bolsinger was immediately placed on the Dodgers' 40-man roster.

Zack Cox - Miami Marlins

Cox spent the entire 2014 season in triple-A New Orleans, where he hit .282 with eight home runs and 35 RBI in 104 games.

It was his first full season at the triple-A level. With Casey McGehee ahead of him, it might be hard for Cox to break into the big leagues in 2015.

Logan Forsythe - Tampa Bay Rays

In his first season with the Rays, Forsythe batted only .223 and appeared in 110 games. He also had six home runs and 26 RBI.

During the offseason, he was one of eight Rays players to receive a one-year deal and avoid arbitration. His deal is worth $1.1 million in 2015, which more than doubles his 2014 salary.

Craig Gentry - Oakland Athletics

Playing as the Athletics' fourth outfielder, Gentry hit .254 and stole 20 bases in 94 games.

Like Forsythe, Gentry avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $1.6 million contract.

Dallas Keuchel - Houston Astros

Keuchel had a break-out season in 2014, posting a 12-9 record and 2.93 ERA in 200 innings pitched. He also won an AL Gold Glove Award and was a final-vote candidate for the All-Star Game.

The left-hander is a lock for the Astros' rotation in 2015 and Houston's additions of outfielder Colby Rasmus and catcher Evan Gattis show that it is going to try to make a playoff push.

Cliff Lee - Philadelphia Phillies

After an injury-shortened season, it appears that Lee is finally healthy. According to reports, he has already thrown off the mound three or four times in January and will be ready for spring training. If he performs well, he could become trade bait for the Phillies.

Before a shoulder injury ended his season July 31, Lee was 4-5 with a 3.65 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 81 1/3 innings.

James McCann - Detroit Tigers

After being called up in September, McCann went 3-for-12 (.250) with one double, one stolen base and two runs scored in nine games.

He will have a good chance to make the Tigers' big-league club out of spring training and split time with catcher Alex Avila behind the plate.

Blake Parker - Chicago Cubs

Parker bounced back-and-forth between triple-A Iowa and the Chicago Cubs last season. In 18 relief appearances for the big-league club, he had a 5.14 ERA in 21 innings, while striking out 24 batters.

For the Iowa Cubs, however, he was the shut-down man out of the bullpen, registering 25 saves and posting a 1.77 ERA. In 35 2/3 innings pitched, he struck out 52 batters and walked only 13.

Matt Reynolds - New York Mets

Reynolds spent all season in minor leagues last year, but many experts thought would get a September call-up. Despite the call never coming, he is still a strong candidate to play in the Mets' infield in 2015.

In 58 double-A games, Reynolds hit .355 and had 21 RBI. That prompted a call-up to triple-A, where he hit .333 with 40 RBI in 68 games.

Newsweek's Marc Carig said although he was a third baseman at Arkansas, Reynolds could be the Mets' best option at shortstop.

Drew Smyly - Tampa Bay Rays

Like his teammate Logan Forsythe, Smyly avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $2.65 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. He can make another $50,000 through incentives.

Last season, he was a key part of the blockbuster trade that sent Cy Young-winner David Price to the Detroit Tigers. Before the trade, he was 6-9 in 18 starts with a 3.93 ERA. In Tampa Bay, he was 3-1 with a 1.70 ERA in seven starts.

Andy Wilkins - Chicago White Sox

After tearing up triple-A with a nine-game span in which he hit 10 home runs and batted .564, Wilkins was finally called up to the White Sox's big-league club at the end of August.

In limited action, he went 6-for-43 with two doubles and two RBI. With a good spring training, Wilkins could make the 40-man roster because designated hitters Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko retired after last season.