D1Baseball's Eight For Omaha 2018

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Aaron Fitt’s Eight For 2018

Arkansas

The Hogs lost Trevor Stephan and Chad Spanberger, but most of the other key pieces of a regional-hosting team will be back next year. The draft was kind to Arkansas; Blaine Knight slipped to the 29th round and plans to return for his junior year, giving the rotation a legit power-armed ace. Slugger Luke Bonfield and mainstay Carson Shaddy both went undrafted, so they’ll be back to form the nucleus of a formidable lineup along with shortstop and leading hitter Jax Biggers, catcher Grant Koch and outfielders Dominic Fletcher and Eric Cole. Spanberger is the only lineup piece Arkansas must replace, and a loaded recruiting class should supplement the returning pieces, led by outfielder Cole Turney and two-way talent Bryce Bonnin — a pair of high-end prospects who slipped into the late rounds of the draft due to signability. Incoming RHPs Jackson Rutledge and Austin Kelly plus LHP Hunter Milligan will join Bonnin as welcome additions on a pitching staff that could use a boost.

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Kendall Rogers’ Eight For 2018

Arkansas

The Hogs have been giddy for the past couple of weeks about the 2018 campaign, and it’s for good reason. Boy, do the Razorbacks look locked and loaded for next season. The Hogs got a massive boost when wiry righthander Blaine Knight decided to return for another season, and he gives the Hogs one of the nation’s premier front-line starters. The Hogs will get Isaiah Campbell back from an arm injury at some point during the season, while lefty Matt Cronin is a guy who could take a massive step forward next season and Jake Reindl also is back. The Hogs are going to do the most damage next season from an offensive standpoint.

This lineup is loaded with electric Jax Biggers, Eric Cole, Dom Fletcher, Luke Bonfield, versatile Carson Shaddy, Grant Koch and Eric Cole back in the saddle. Arkansas also welcomes outfielder Cole Turney and two-way talent Bryce Bonnin to the program. Turney is a lefthanded hitter with quick hands and some juice in his bat, while Bonnin can help the Hogs in multiple ways, getting up to 91-92 with his fastball as a high school senior last season.

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