Arkansas adds baseball commitments from veteran hitters

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ baseball team gained a pair of commitments Friday from Tarleton State first baseman Jack Wagner and Missouri outfielder Ty Wilmsmeyer. 

Both confirmed their commitments in Twitter posts. 

Wagner, a Wichita, Kan., native, started 39 games at first base, and also started at third base, right field and designated hitter in his lone season at Tarleton State in Stephenville, Texas. He spent four seasons at Kansas from 2019-22.

“I wanna thank everyone involved with Tarleton Baseball for an amazing year,” Wagner wrote on Twitter. “The memories and friendships made will last a lifetime. With that being said I have committed to the University of Arkansas. I can’t thank the coaching staff at Arkansas enough for this opportunity. All glory to God!!” 

Wagner batted .337 with 15 home runs, 8 doubles, 4 triples and 56 RBI this year. He also drew 28 walks and scored 41 runs. His .451 on-base percentage was a team-high for the Texans and his OPS was 1.143. 

His notable performances included 5 RBI over a pair of games against Oral Roberts, and a 4-RBI game against TCU. 

Collegiate Baseball named Wagner one of its national players of the week May 8 after he hit four home runs and had 11 RBI during a stretch of games against Texas A&M and Grand Canyon. He earned Western Athletic Conference hitter of the week April 17 after an 8-for-14 week that included 3 home runs and 7 RBI. 

Wagner missed the 2022 season at Kansas with an undisclosed injury. He batted .257 with 2 home runs, 6 doubles and 17 RBI in 43 games in 2021. 

Wilmsmeyer batted .311 with 10 doubles, 1 triple, 7 home runs and 25 RBI this year as the primary starting center fielder at Missouri. His 20 multi-hit games were a team high for the Tigers. 

He was also successful in 21 of 24 stolen-base attempts. His 21 steals were second most by an SEC player during the regular season. 

The Springfield, Mo., native had a season-high four hits during a win over TCU on Feb. 19 at the College Baseball Showdown in Arlington, Texas. He had a season-high 4 RBI during a May 12 victory over Georgia. 

Wilmsmeyer also pitched at Missouri and recorded a 3.52 ERA in 7 2/3 innings. He told Arkansas Rivals he is unlikely to pitch for the Razorbacks. 

Wagner and Wilmsmeyer are each believed to have one season of eligibility remaining. 

Arkansas is believed to have added three transfers this offseason. Transferring Texas Tech catcher Hudson White reportedly committed to the Razorbacks earlier this week.