28. ARKANSAS

2008 RECORD. Overall: 34-24 (Advanced to NCAA regional). Conference: 14-15 / 4th in SEC (West).

Coach: Dave Van Horn (235-134, 7^th season at Arkansas ; 449-226 overall in 11 seasons).

First Game, 2009: Feb. 20 vs. Washington State .

 

OVERVIEW: The Razorbacks had the opportunity (or burden, as the case may be) to play a number of young players in key roles in 2008 in a sub-.500 SEC season, and should benefit this spring with one of the top offenses in the country. Sophomore 1B Andy Wilkins and sophomore OF Brett Eibner, both top prospects for the 2010 draft, gained valuable playing time a year ago and should expand on their impressive freshman numbers. Another freshman, 3B Zack Cox, may have the highest offensive ceiling of any player on the Razorbacks roster. Throw in junior DH Travis Sample, a hard-hitting JC transfer, and four starting seniors and that’s a recipe for plenty of offense. Arkansas ’ pitching will depend primarily on transfer talent and depth, much like it did in 2008. Eibner and Cox are both expected to contribute significantly as two-way players.

 

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

C: Ryan Cisterna, Sr. (.237-9-20).

1B: Andy Wilkins, So. (.331-8-38).

2B: Ben Tschepikow, Sr. (.301-1-30).

3B: Zach Cox (4), Fr. (Dodgers/20^th round).

SS: Scott Lyons, Sr. (.200-0-10).

LF: Jacob House, So. (.289-5-23).

CF: Brett Eibner (3), So. (.298-8-*48; 3-1, 4.50, 24 IP/24 SO).

RF: Chase Leavitt (1), Sr. (*.366-3-25).

DH: Travis Sample, So. (.505-16-82 at Howard, Texas , JC).

1/Starter: Dallas Keuchel, Jr. (4-3, 4.58, 74 IP/61 SO).

2/Starter: T.J. Forrest, Jr. (Bossier Parish, La. , CC in 2008; Pirates/32^nd round).

3/Starter: Bryan Bingham, Jr. (11-0, 2.35 at Navarro, Texas , JC).

Closer: Mike Bolsinger, Jr. (4-1, 3.73, 31 IP/39 SO).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Brett Eibner.

Best Overall Hitter: Zack Cox.

Best Power Hitter: Zack Cox.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Chase Leavitt.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Jarrod McKinney (6.5 seconds).

Best Base Runner: Jarrod McKinney.

Best Defender: Ryan Cisterna.

Best Infield Arm: Zack Cox.

Best Outfield Arm: Jarrod McKinney.

Best Fastball (velocity): Mike Bolsinger (94 mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Jeremy Heatley.

Best Changeup: Dallas Keuchel.

Best Command: Dallas Keuchel.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Zach Cox, 3b/rhp. The Razorback coaching staff is so excited about the power-hitting potential of Cox that they plan to bat the lefthanded hitter in the cleanup spot, despite having other, more experienced options. Cox, who will be draft-eligible in 2010 as a sophomore, may also get a chance to bring his low-90s heat to the mound out of the bullpen.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Brett Eibner, of/rhp. Eibner was a fourth-round pick of his hometown Houston Astros out of high school, but should set his sights even higher in 2010 after his strong freshman season. He has plus power to all fields and a big outfield arm.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Mike Bolsinger, rhp: The Razorbacks have four arms who could work their way into the top 10 rounds of this year’s draft. Bolsinger’s fastball touched 94 mph in the fall and he has a hard slider to go with it that should make him ideal in a closer’s role. Fellow pitchers Bryan Bingham, T.J. Forrest and Dallas Keuchel also project to go in about the same draft area as Bolsinger.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Chase Leavitt, of: Arkansas starts four seniors and all could be quality senior-sign type drafts. Leavitt is a polished hitter with very good plate discipline and leadoff skills.

--DAVID RAWNSLEY