Note to Our Readers: RNN Sports would like to thank our Northwest Arkansas correspondent and photojournalist, John D. James, for his contribution to this story.
SEATTLE, WA- It is that time of year again for not only the Arkansas baseball program, but college programs around the country. The 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft will begin Sunday, July 9 with the first two rounds. Rounds 3-10 will be held on Monday, July 10. In those first three rounds, several Razorbacks could hear their names called by major league teams.
The first projected Razorbacks player to be selected in the draft is outfield Jace Bohrofen. Bohrofen is a transfer to Arkansas from the University of Oklahoma and hails from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. As a freshman for the Sooners, Bohrofen played in 35 games, starting 29 of them. He hit for .252 for Oklahoma with two home runs and 18 RBIs. As a Razorback in 2022, he played in 32 games and started 24. He hit .333 with three home runs. Bohorfen batted .313 for the Hogs in 2023. Some mock draft predictions show Bohrofen as the 66th overall pick to be selected by the Kansas City Royals.
Another Razorbacks outfielder, Tavian Josenberger, could be the next Hog selected in the MLB Draft. Josenberger has been listed by some sources as possibly the 149th overall selection and to be drafted by the Chicago Cubs. According to the website, northsidebound.com, Josenberger, “looks like he can play center field in the pros and features good batted ball data with a barrel rate above 20%.” He is predicted to be a draft pick that would be slotted for “$416,000 with a $416,900 bonus”, according to the website.
But Arkansas’s roster will not be affected by just losses to the outfield. Several Razorbacks pitchers, including flame thrower Jaxson Wiggins who did not play due to an injury in 2023, could opt out to professional baseball. Along with Wiggins, lefthander Hunter Hollan may be the best left-handed pitcher in this year’s draft, according to some sources. Hollan’s decision to go or remain at Arkansas will be huge for the Razorbacks. According to some insiders, he may opt to leave this year while his draft capital is at its highest. If he remains at Arkansas, he and pitcher Brady Tygart could form the nucleous of a very tough weekend, conference rotation in 2024.
And then there are the purely unknown and unpredictable selections and decisions for college baseball programs. For Arkansas, it is foreseeable that pitcher Will McEntire could be among the Arkansas pitchers who are drafted and decide to move on with their careers in professional baseball. Also, transfer strike out ace from the Indiana Hoosiers, Craig Yoho, could be drafted and decide to bypass the Razorbacks, moving also into professional baseball.
So, for Hogs baseball fans, the unknown effect of the MLB Draft on the Arkansas program could again be a mystery until names are called and the players make their decisions. It is an effect of having a good college program that is always loaded with talent. Arkansas head baseball coach Dave Van Horn has done a masterful job in compensating for the MLB Draft and maintaining the influx of good talent in the Razorbacks baseball program. And once again, Coach Van Horn will bring new talent to the program while touting the success for former players in playing at Arkansas as a way to realize their major league dreams.
Good luck to all of the players, and here’s to wishing your dreams come true this weekend!
