Matt Jones is the editor of the Hawgs Sports Network. He is a member of the Football Writers Association of America and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, and voter for the Heisman Trophy. He has a bachelor's and master's degree in journalism from the University of Arkansas.
Report links Hogs to Texas Tech catcher
By:
Matt Jones
Published: Monday, June 12, 2023
Texas Tech catcher Hudson White (5) warms up before an NCAA baseball game against UConn on Friday, June 2, 2023, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas reportedly landed a commitment from transferring Texas Tech catcher Hudson White on Monday.
Joe Doyle of Future Stars Series reported the commitment, citing sources. White has not announced his destination and an Arkansas team spokesman could not confirm Doyle's report.
D1Baseball reported last week that White had entered the NCAA transfer portal following a sophomore season in which he was voted honorable mention All-Big 12 by league coaches. He batted .296 with 11 home runs, 10 doubles and 49 RBI, and scored 39 runs.
White homered twice and had 6 RBI during a May 20 game against Kansas. He also had 6 RBI during a May 9 game against Abilene Christian.
Behind the plate, White had 10 passed balls and base stealers were successful in 58 of 68 attempts against him. TCU base stealers were 9 for 9 against him during a March 31 game, and Sam Houston State was 7 for 8 on May 6.
White was the Big 12 freshman of the year and a Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American in 2022. In addition to catcher, White has started games as a designated hitter, first baseman, second baseman and third baseman. He fielded .977 overall as a sophomore.
D1Baseball ranks White the 95th overall prospect and fourth among catchers for the 2024 draft. The D1Baseball rankings do not take high school prospects into consideration.
White is a native of Keller, Texas, and played at Byron Nelson High School.
Arkansas had three catchers — Parker Rowland, Hudson Polk and Cal Kilgore — on the 2023 roster who all have eligibility remaining, but it is unclear if those players will return to the team. All three transferred to the Razorbacks prior to the season.
At least two high school catchers have signed letters of intent to play at Arkansas in 2024.
Ryder Helfrick of Clayton Valley High School in Concord, Calif., is rated the No. 124 prospect for this year’s draft by Baseball America.
Ty Waid of Texarkana was the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s state player of the year.
CORRECTION: White is not eligible for the 2023 MLB Draft as a sophomore due to a change in draft rules that took effect this year. The story has been corrected.
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