#4) Arkansas

After a dominant 50-win campaign and a trip to the 2025 College World Series semifinals, the Arkansas Razorbacks enter 2026 ranked #4 in my preseason rankings. Despite being a top program, Arkansas has never finished the job by winning the College World Series. If anyone is due to win one, it’s the Hogs.

Offensive Returners:

Arkansas will need to replace 4 of their top 5 hitters from last season. Wehiwa Aloy, Logan Maxwell, Brent Irendale, and Charles Davalan all provided a wRC+ over 120. Aloy was the 2025 Golden Spikes Award recipient and SEC Player of the Year.

• Ryder Helfrick: I believe he is the best catcher in college baseball. Projected as a 2026 first round pick, Helfrick is fresh off a season where he posted a .305 batting average, 15 home runs, and a 1.036 OPS. He calls the games behind the plate and caught Gage Wood’s no-hitter in Omaha last season.
• Kuhio Aloy: Posted a .317 average with 13 home runs and 70 RBI last season. Aloy has the pop, but needs to cut down on the strikeout %.
• Nolan Souza: A prime breakout candidate after suffering a season-ending injury in 2025.
• Cam Kozeal: Hit .333 with 15 HRs last season while receiving 2nd team All-SEC honors. Can play multiple positions.

Impact Transfers & Freshmen:

Arkansas is replacing a ton of production from last year’s squad, but Dave van Horn did an excellent job of reloading in the portal.

• TJ Pompey (Texas Tech): Pompey posted a .348 average, 5 home runs, and 1.021 OPS in 19 games before suffering an injury. He has first round upside in the 2026 draft if everything clicks this season.
• Damian Ruiz (Lamar): 2025 Southland Conference Player of the Year. Ruiz slashed .388/.511/.607 and showcased great plate discipline last season.
• Ethan McElvain (Vanderbilt): A LHP with massive upside. McElvain has an electric fastball with a biting slider. He struggled but managed 45 strikeouts in 27.1 for Vandy last season. I expect Arkansas to bring out the best from the former top 50 recruit coming out of HS.
• Maika Niu (Marshall): Ranked as the #6 transfer hitter according to D1Baseball. He had draft interest after last season but decided to transfer to Arkansas.
• James DeCreamer (Oregon State) and Jackson Kutcher (Oklahoma): 2 high upside arms that add depth to Razorback staff.
• Carson Brumbaugh (Freshman): Brumbaugh headlined the freshmen class and put together a solid showing throughout the Fall. He can also make an impact on the mound.

Returning Pitchers:

Arkansas will need to replace the 1/2 punch of Zach Root and Gage Wood, but this staff is deep.

• Gabe Gaeckle: After struggling in the rotation with a 6.69 ERA in 9 starts, Gaeckle showed out in the bullpen and really hit his stride towards the end of the season. If he van live up to the hype as the team’s Friday night ace, Gaeckle will land in the first round.

• Cole Gibler: Posted a 3.99 ERA and a whopping 57 strikeouts in only 29.1 IP as a freshman. He started on the mound in their first scrimmage of the season.
• Carson Wiggins: A flamethrower that topped out at 102 mph as a freshman. He sits as a top 100 prospect for the 2026 draft.
• Hunter Dietz: LHP that ranks 38th in MLB’s 2026 draft prospects. I expect him to be the Sunday starter. Dietz features a mid 90s fastball, sharp slider, and a solid curveball.

This rotation is very deep but who steps up to fill in the starting rotation? Gaeckle’s performance will have a huge impact on this staff.

I like how this team is set up. It may take time for the chemistry to come together, but I believe the talent is there. As always, I will be invested in an Arkansas to win the CWS ticket.