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Arkansas Baseball: The All-2000s team

kendall hilton
·5 min read

The 1990s was the last decade of the Norm DeBriyn as Arkansas baseball coach, starting a new regime with Dave Van Horn stepping onto campus the following decade.

Van Horn returned to Arkansas in 2003 to take over for the man who coached him with the Razorbacks. in the 1980s. Van Horn later was a graduate assistant on DeBriyn’s staff  before venturing off on his own.

Since Van Horn has been coach, the Diamond Hogs have elevated to elite levels in college baseball, with Golden Spikes Award recipients, more All-Americans, more MLB draftees, and top recruiting classes.

The Diamond Hogs of the 2000s featured some excellent baseball players, and let’s see who represents the new millennium’s first decade.

Catcher: Brady Toops

Toops spent four seasons in Fayetteville but didn’t become a consistent starter until his junior season in 2003. He batted .308 and .284 in his last two seasons.

1B: Andy Wilkins

Wilkins was a stud at the plate his freshman and sophomore season. He combined for 27 home runs and 127 RBIs. He was drafted in the 5th round after his junior season in 2010.

2B: Casey Rowlett

Rowlett had a great freshman season in 2004, batting .294 with 22 stolen bases. He only played in 23 games his sophomore season but finished with 16 stolen bases and a .473 batting average with 97 plate appearances.

3B: Logan Forsythe

Forsythe struggled at the plate his freshman season but became one of the consistent bats in the lineup during his sophomore and junior season in Fayetteville. In 2008 he received 1st team All-SEC Honors.

SS: Scott Hode

Hode was a four-year starter at shortstop, earning. All-SEC honors as a junior in 2004.

OF: Jake Dugger

Dugger played 239 games in the outfield for the Razorbacks. His best season at the plate was his junior season in 2006, earning All-SEC honors.

OF: Brett EIbner

EIbner wasn’t just a great outfielder, he also made appearances on the mound as a pitcher. In 2008 he was named a Freshman All-American, batting a .298 and 4.50 ERA.

OF: Craig Gentry

Gentry spent his junior and senior seasons at Arkansas, combining for 27 doubles and 41 RBIs.

SP: Nick Schimdt

Schmidt never loss more than three games in a season during his career at Arkansas. He was an All-American in 2006 and 2007 and named to the freshman All-SEC team.

SP: Jess Todd

Todd only played one season at Arkansas but was named an All-American for his work on the mound, striking out 128 batters and posting a 2.89 ERA.

SP: Charley Boyce

Boyce played a consistent role in the starting rotation during his freshman and sophomore season. In four seasons at Arkansas, he averaged a 3.66 ERA and 30 wins.

 

Reserve: Zach Cox

Reserve: Danny Hamblin

Arkansas first baseman Danny Hamblin (Arkansaas athletics)
Arkansas first baseman Danny Hamblin (Arkansaas athletics)

Hamblin was a freshman All-American in 2004 and just raked for the mid-2000s Diamond Hogs. He finished his four-year career with 52 home runs and 219 RBI.

Pitcher: Dallas Keuchel

Keuchel was a solid relief pitcher for the Hogs during the late 2000s, earning All-SEC honors is. He has also had a very good MLB career.

Pitcher: Jay Sawatski

Sawatski won 10 games as a reliever in 2007. He struck out 86 batters, recorded seven saves, and finished the year with a 3.37 ERA.

 

Story originally appeared on Razorbacks Wire