re: OFFICIAL 2021 ARKANSAS RAZORBACK BASEBALL SEASON THREAD

quote:

---

In terms of luck, I worried in the latter part of the season that it seemed like the ball kept bouncing our way when the chips were down, and that eventually we'd roll a snake eyes and shite just wouldn't go our way.

---

Yeah we were honestly very lucky to win the series against Georgia, Auburn and A&M who were all pretty bad. We won a ton of close games this year, just ran out of gas against NC State and lost the close game both Saturday and yesterday. I'm not sure I've ever seen a team be so dominant yet at the same time show so many vulnerabilities like this one did.

Usually a bout time post season starts, the pitching under DVH improves. But it went the opposite with injuries and the on, off days with these pitchers.

So DVH started Kopps when he didn't want to because he had no faith in the other pitchers.

quote:

---

Starks could easily be the closer next year

---

. Hopefully he can be Zay good minus the injuries

According to Jalen Battles' dad. it is 50/50 on him returning for his SR year. I fully expect him to go pro, but it it does give a little bit of hope. To have Moore and Battles back would be huge.

Also, hearing Nesbit will again be back. I kind of wish he would move on. DVH's love affair with him over the season killed me. Noland may be back as well.

The pitching staff could be surprising pretty next year, if Pallette returns and depending on how freshmen LHP Nick Griffin from TJ surgery. He might be ready to go by Fall Ball. He was a Top 100 player.

Also, former Hog commitment and Arizona State signee, Ethan Long is in the transfer portal after former ASU Head Coach Tracy Smith was fired and the Hitting Coach saying he was not returning. The Hogs may try to reach out to him. The guy absolutely raked at ASU with 16 HRs, a .340 BA, and 54 RBIs as a freshman.

Don't be surprised if Slavens and Goodheart return as well. As far as pitchers, Costieu, Trest, Bolden, and Zeb might be returning as well. Zeb is still showing up on some draft boards so it is more iffy on him.

Yeah this is not your typical Hog team that's loaded with guys who are going to get drafted.

I figured Opitz, Battles and Wicklander to get drafted. But I don't see Slavens, Goodheart or any pitchers outside Kopps getting taken.

quote:

---

Also, hearing Nesbit will again be back. I kind of wish he would move on. DVH's love affair with him over the season killed me. Noland may be back as well.

---

Please move on, great kids but not SEC talent

Yes and his glove probably still warrants that rating, but he's put on no weight since he's been here and still can't square up a baseball

Kevin Kopps has won the Dick Howser trophy. Great honor for Kevin and the program.

Kopps is the first reliever to win the trophy. Kopps also won the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award as the nations top relief pitcher. Kopps beat out Vandy's Rocker and Leiter, Texas Techs Jace Jung, and Florida State's Matheu Nelson.

Kopps is the second Razorback to win the award. Andrew Benintendi won the programs first.

Bit off topic but has anyone followed Heston Kjerstad since the draft? They found a heart condition back in the fall and his career was thought to maybe be over then.

He recently went to spring training facility to get back in playing shape and his heart immediately inflamed again. So sad, his career is likely over without ever taking a pro AB.

quote:

---

Orioles top draft pick Heston Kjerstad had a setback in his comeback from myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, executive vice president Mike Elias said Wednesday, further pushing back Kjerstad’s expected return to baseball action.

After the Orioles selected Kjerstad second overall in the 2020 MLB draft, he hasn’t participated in any team activities after he missed the fall instructional camp with the myocarditis diagnosis. Kjerstad reported to the team’s complex in Sarasota, Florida, to begin working his way back to baseball form this spring, but Elias said this “recurring inflammation” is “slowing down our plan for his return to play.”

---

I think both will play professionally after they're done here, even if they don't get drafted. If Slavens can shorten his swing and improve his contact rate, he'll get drafted if he doesn't this season anyway.