2 in-state prospects commit to play for Diamond Hogs

An Arkansas hat and glove sit in the dugout prior to a game against Louisiana-Monroe on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, in Fayetteville.

— A pair of Arkansans committed to play baseball for the Razorbacks on Saturday.

Catcher Cooper Oliphant of Sheridan and infielder/right-handed pitcher Easton Swofford of Southside Bee Branch committed during a prospects camp at Baum Stadium after being offered the same day. Oliphant is Arkansas' seventh commitment in the class of 2021, while Swofford is the first player to commit to the Razorbacks' 2022 class.

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Oliphant and Swofford play summer baseball for the Arkansas Prospects.

"Easton is an advanced left-handed hitter," said Andy Menard, high school director of the Prospects. "He could potentially be a two-way guy at (the college) level. Middle infield is where he projects, on either side of the bag. He's got a really strong arm and runs extremely well, moves well laterally and has good hands.

"Cooper has a big arm and advanced defensive tools. He's got a great pop time...and is a good receiver. He's very knowledgable - a hustle guy, blue-collar guy. He has a very bright future and is really a good leader. He hustles everywhere he goes and I think that's something that caught their eye is the way he plays the game; he's old school. He doesn't do anything half-speed."

Oliphant and Swofford both said they grew up Arkansas fans, so it didn't take long for them to make their commitments. Oliphant said he probably had committed within three hours of receiving his offer; Swofford said he committed in less than 20 minutes.

"Pretty much in the same meeting I received the offer and committed," Swofford said. "I've pretty much always been a Razorback fan. It was amazing, especially as young as I (committed). It was a blessing."

Swofford (5-8, 140 pounds) said he batted .430 this summer with 9 triples and 35 RBI, and had a 0.38 ERA. He throws a fastball, curveball and changeup, and his velocity has touched 83 mph.

"He has a quality curveball, locates and changes speed - everything you look for," Menard said. "I know one of the things (Arkansas pitching coach Wes) Johnson thought about was the arm strength. There is potential there to be a two-way guy.

"He's a kid that if he gets stronger and puts on weight, the sky is the limit for him."

Batting third in the order, Oliphant (5-8, 185 pounds) had a .442 average this summer for the Prospects. Arkansas hitting coach Nate Thompson scouted Oliphant during a tournament in Atlanta earlier this summer.

"I feel like I did great this summer," Oliphant said. "I'm more of a guy that hits in the gap - line drives for doubles and triples. Catching, I don't know the number, but I threw out a bunch.

"It's a great feeling to have, just to know that I've been an Arkansas fan my whole life and I'm going to play for them and continue playing baseball."

Verbal commitments are not binding.