4. Arkansas Razorbacks
Despite being ranked at No. 4 here, the Razorbacks are still expected to be a major player in SEC Baseball this season, and could easily be ranked No. 1. Yes, that gap between No.’s 1-4 entering the year is as you’d expect – very, very close.
Headlined by two projected first round picks in the 2022 MLB Draft in second baseman Robert Moore and outfielder Brady Slavens, the Razorbacks will return a few notable starters from a year ago, a group that also includes familiar names such as Jalen Battles and Cayden Wallace that went 50-13 a year ago, and was 22-8 in SEC Baseball play.
Despite those returns however, Arkansas will have to replace multiple prominent contributors from last season, both in the lineup and rotation. Names such as Christian Franklin, Matt Goodheart, and Casey Opitz are included in this group from the Razorbacks everyday lineup, as well as multiple prominent pitchers such as standout closer Kevin Kopps, Patrick Wicklander, and Lael Lockhart.
Pitching will be key for this Razorbacks team in 2022, a group that will be without returning ace and projected first round pick Peyton Pallette who underwent Tommy John surgery in the offseason. As for which arms could step up and play bigger roles for the Razorbacks in 2022, Zebulon Vermillon and Jaxon Wiggins are names that stick out, as well as Connor Noland and Elijah Trest.
This could be a different looking Arkansas team this season, especially pitching-wise, but the Razorbacks are still very-talented and could easily compete for a national championship.