Draft could have big impact on Arkansas’ roster
FAYETTEVILLE — Ten days ahead of the Major League Baseball Draft, veteran University of Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn had plenty to say on Thursday about the challenges of getting his 2023 roster in shape.
When a reporter asked if roster management was now “tricky, chaotic and hectic” than it has ever been in college baseball, Van Horn agreed, then took it a step further.
“All of the above. It's ridiculous, honestly,” Van Horn said. “And what kicks it over the top is that draft.”
Van Horn met via video conference with reporters on Thursday for the first time since the day the Razorbacks were eliminated from the College World Series with a 2-0 loss on June 23 to eventual CWS champion Ole Miss, one win shy of the championship series.
Van Horn and every other major college baseball program is awaiting the impact of the draft on their incoming classes before establishing their rosters.
The Razorbacks signed 17 high school seniors in the early period and have the potential to land 14 or so players as junior college transfers or transfer portal additions to bring aboard with their returnees.
Some of the Hogs' signees could be drafted and agree to professional contracts. Having the draft from July 17-19 during the Major League Baseball All-Star break adds to the chaos and the time crunch before Van Horn would like to have his roster settled in the first days of August.
“You've got the draft coming up,” Van Horn said. “What a horrible time for the draft. The draft should have been last week. “I've said this 10 times this year: It makes no sense at all. No one likes it except the [MLB] owners. They think it's cool to have the draft during the All-Star game. Nobody cares.”
Van Horn's solution: “Have the draft last week, let us get to work, get our rosters right, treat the kids right, give the ones that are not going to be able to come in more time to find a place to play,” he said.
“I mean, it's a joke. So we've gotta get through that and then you've got about 14 days after the