Baseball Recruiting Class Ranked 10th Nationally By Baseball America
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Baseball America released is 2007 college baseball recruiting class rankings on Wednesday with the Arkansas Razorbacks’ signing class ranked 10th nationally.
It is the second straight top-10 class for head coach Dave Van Horn, recruiting coordinator Todd Butler and pitching coach Dave Jorn. Baseball America also tabbed the Hogs’ 2006 class at No. 10 nationally.
“It is an outstanding honor for Baseball America to recognize this group of newcomers,” Van Horn said. “We are very excited about this collection of players, and their ability to help us continue a winning tradition.”
Arkansas’ 2007 signing class included 12 incoming freshmen, seven-junior-college transfers and one Division-I transfer.
Baseball America ranked the Hogs 10th with San Diego landing the nation’s top class, followed by LSU, Oregon State, North Carolina and Auburn rounding out the top five. Notre Dame was ranked sixth with UCLA seventh, Cal State Fullerton eighth and Texas ninth. The UA recruiting class was third among Southeastern Conference schools. The SEC placed seven schools in the top 25.
“Seven players in this class had an opportunity to sign professionally, and the fact that they chose to become Razorbacks says a lot about them,” Van Horn said. “This group will fill a lot of holes after the departure of players like Nick Schmidt, Jess Todd, Danny Hamblin and Duke Welker to professional baseball.”
The Razorbacks had seven incoming recruits turn down professional contracts after being selected in the Major League Baseball Draft. Brett Eibner, a two-way player out of The Woodlands, Texas, was a fourth-round draft choice of the Houston Astros. Infielder Andy Wilkins, a Broken Arrow, Okla., native, was a 25th-round choice of the Texas Rangers. RHP James Mahler, the son of former big-leaguer Mickey Mahler, went in the 42nd round to the Philadelphia Phillies after his prep career at Jordan High School in Sandy, Utah.
UA also inked four junior college players that chose the Hogs over the professional ranks. Scott Lyons comes to Fayetteville after being selected in the 36th round by Boston and RHP Mike Bolsinger was a 34th-round choice of the Cleveland Indians. Ryan Cisterna is one of the top catch-and-throw backstops coming out of junior college this season and was a 46th-round selection of the Washington Nationals. Gary Poynter was a late addition to the Hogs’ 2007 signing class after being taken by Texas in the 39th round of the 2007 MLB Draft.
Arkansas will put the final touches on fall baseball over the next week with the annual Cardinal and White Series that is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 10.
