Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn recruits the best players in the country. When you’re Dave Van Horn and you’ve done what you’ve done at Arkansas, you can do that.
But with that Van Horn knows sometimes those players who’ve committed to play for the Diamond Hogs are also highly sought by the professional ranks. He could always lose them to the pros.
That’s what happened with Cole Phillips.
The right-hander from Texas was taken with the No. 57 pick in the MLB Draft earlier in the week and signed with Atlanta Braves on Thursday. His compensation was $1.49 million, which was higher than the slot value of the pick at that spot.
Phillips didn’t play last year for Boerne High after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
The good news for Arkansas is that Phillips is likely the only player of the Diamond Hogs’ incoming class to leave for the pros. Outfielder Mason Neville, who was taken in the 18th round, re-affirmed his commitment to Arkansas.
The 2022 Razorbacks had nine players drafted, all of whom were expected to sign.