Category: Pro Hogs: Non-NFL

Former Hog Trey Flowers has finally found a new home

Trey Flowers appears to be headed to South Beach after two seasons with the Lions.

Trey Flowers is far too good of an NFL pass rusher to stay unemployed long.

Now it looks like his new home has been determined.

Multiple outlets are reporting that Flowers, a former Arkansas defensive end, intends to sign with the Miami Dolphins this week. He had spent the last two seasons with the Detroit Lions.

Flowers won two Super Bowls in his first four seasons with New England. His last two seasons with the Patriots, he was a starter up front, registering 6 1/2 and then seven sacks. He hit the market after his fourth season and the Lions signed him to a $90 million deal. Injuries stalled his two years in Detroit as he played in only 14 games in two seasons, collecting a total of 3 1/2 sacks.

The move to Miami is not officially but is expected to be when roster spots become available later in the week.

Flowers played all four college seasons at Arkansas from 2011-2014. He had 18 sacks and 47 1/2 tackles for-loss during his career.

Former Razorback gets start in “Field of Dreams” game

The Chicago Cubs will go to former Razorback Drew Smyly on the mound as they face the Cincinnati Reds in the “Field of Dreams” game Thursday night.

Two Major League Baseball clubs will play a game on Thursday night in… Iowa?

The Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds will open a three-game series on Thursday in Dyersville, Iowa, with the first game being on the site of the 1989 film “Field of Dreams.”

As the Cubs take the field, they will turn to former Razorback, LHP [autotag]Drew Smyly[/autotag] on the mound to go to battle with the Reds. Smyly, in 14 starts this season, holds a record of 4-6 with a 3.97 ERA and 52 strikeouts over 65.2 innings pitched.

Last season, he became the fifth former Razorback to win a World Series, as he was a member of the Atlanta Braves’ championship club in 2021. He joins [autotag]Andrew Benintendi[/autotag], [autotag]Dallas Keuchel[/autotag], [autotag]Eric Hinske[/autotag], and [autotag]Dick Hughes[/autotag] as those who accomplished that feat.

On the other side, Arkansas will also be represented on the Cincinnati Reds. Second baseman [autotag]Matt Reynolds[/autotag] is currently on the 40-man roster for the Reds, and has recorded three home runs and 18 RBI. Reynolds was a part of Arkansas’ roster from 2010-12, and was a teammate of Smyly’s for one season in 2010.

The Cubs and Reds meet in the “Field of Dreams” game Thursday night at 6:15 p.m. CT on FOX.

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Photo Gallery: Cayden Wallace’s time as a Razorback

Cayden Wallace had a great two-year career in Arkansas in every aspect of the game.

The 2022 Major League Draft began by Arkansas standards in round two, when third baseman [autotag]Cayden Wallace[/autotag] was taken with the 49th overall pick by the Kansas City Royals.

Wallace was one of three players taken in the second round of the MLB Draft, joining RHP [autotag]Peyton Pallette[/autotag] (White Sox) and second baseman [autotag]Robert Moore[/autotag] (Brewers).

Wallace had a successful two seasons in a Razorback uniform. At the plate, Wallace hit for a .298 average, and collected 272 total bases, 149 hits, 30 home runs, and 104 RBI in 127 games.

Wallace started all 67 games for Arkansas in 2022 at third base. He led the team in RBI with 60, and in doubles with 20. He joined Brady Slavens atop the team’s home run leaderboard with 16, and was second in hits with 82, one hit behind the team’s leader, Michael Turner.

In the field, Wallace had a career fielding percentage of .956, committing just 11 errors in two seasons. In 2022, Wallace made 29 putouts while assisting on 110 outs. He, along with fellow draft picks Jalen Battles and Robert Moore, formed one of the best defensive infields in the SEC.

Here’s a look back at the best moments from Wallace’s two seasons at Arkansas:

Look: Andrew Benintendi’s first game in a Yankees uniform

Andrew Benintendi is officially a Yankee. Here’s a look at the best images from his first game in pinstripes.

One of the most decorated baseball players in Arkansas history became one of the most popular trade pieces ahead of the Major League Baseball trade deadline.

Former Razorback outfielder Andrew Benintendi was traded to the New York Yankees from the Kansas City Royals late Wednesday night in exchange for three minor leaguers, in an effort to give the Yankees a boost in production both at the plate and in the field ahead of the postseason.

Thursday night, Benintendi was in uniform for the Yankees game, ironically against his former squad, the Royals, at Yankee Stadium. Benintendi went 0-for-4 with one strikeout.

Here’s a look back at Benintendi’s first game as a member of the New York Yankees:

Zebulon Vermillion inks deal with New York Mets

Vermillion has signed a money-saving deal with the New York Mets, which brings Arkansas’ signing total to seven players.

A former Arkansas reliever is the latest to sign his rookie contract.

[autotag]Zebulon Vermillion[/autotag], the No. 299 overall selection by the New York Mets, has agreed to terms with the organization according to Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline.

According to Callis, the deal is a money-saver for the Mets, who have signed Vermillion for $20,000.

Vermillion posted an overall record of 10-1 in five seasons at Arkansas, recording an even 100 strikeouts in 71 appearances. Vermillion saw his most action during the 2022 season, a season in which he used his extra season of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened season of 2020.

In 24 appearances, Vermillion struck out 28 batters while walking ten and allowing 22 hits in 26.1 innings of work on the mound, posting a career-low in ERA with 2.39.

Vermillion becomes the seventh Razorback draftee to sign a rookie deal. At the time of this post, no deals had been reported for [autotag]Cayden Wallace[/autotag] (49th overall selection by Kansas City), and [autotag]Mark Adamiak[/autotag] (454th overall selection by Oakland).

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Chicago White Sox agree to terms with Michael Turner

Turner is set to join teammate Peyton Pallette in the White Sox organization

He may have only spent one season in Arkansas, but, wow, what a season it was.

[autotag]Michael Turner[/autotag], who transferred to Arkansas from Kent State ahead of the 2022 season, has officially signed a rookie deal with the Chicago White Sox, ending his career as a Razorback after one season.

According to Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline, the White Sox have signed Turner to a money-saving deal worth $35,000.

Turner was taken in the 9th round by the Chicago White Sox in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, becoming the second Razorback to the selected by the White Sox, joining RHP [autotag]Peyton Pallette[/autotag].

He became the seventh player from Arkansas selected out of nine overall. Those drafted before Turner have all signed with their respective organizations at the time of this post, with the exception of [autotag]Cayden Wallace[/autotag], who was drafted by the Kansas City Royals at No. 49 overall.

Turner enjoyed his best season in a college uniform at Arkansas in 2022 in a myriad of ways. He set career bests in RBI (53), walks (27), doubles (17), hits (83), at-bats (257), home runs (9), and total bases (129).

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Peyton Pallette officially signs with Chicago White Sox

Peyton Pallete’s first assignment following Tommy John surgery will be with the White Sox organization

One of Arkansas’ highest draft picks has officially signed his rookie contract.

[autotag]Peyton Pallette[/autotag], who missed the 2022 season to recover from Tommy John surgery, has signed his rookie contract with the Chicago White Sox, the organization that selected him with the No. 62 overall pick.

Pallette is in for a hefty payday. Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline is reporting that Pallette has signed with the White Sox for $1.5 million, which is just under slot value for the No. 62 overall selection.

In two seasons at Arkansas, Pallette struck out 70 batters while posting an ERA of 3.79. In 2021, Pallete appeared in 15 games, making 11 starts. He struck out 67 batters while issuing 20 walks in 56 innings of work.

Pallette was expected to become the anchor to the Arkansas weekend rotation in 2022, however, an injury to his ulnar collateral ligament forced him to miss what eventually was his final season at Arkansas, making the way for [autotag]Connor Noland[/autotag] to take the role.

Pallete was the second Razorback selected in the 2022 MLB Draft, and one of three selected in the second round. Cayden Wallace was taken 13 picks higher by the Kansas City Royals, and Robert Moore was taken with a compensation pick by the Milwaukee Brewers.

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Andrew Benintendi dealt to New York Yankees

After being revered as an important trade piece ahead of the MLB trade deadline, Andrew Benintendi has found a new home.

After spending the first five seasons of his professional career with the Boston Red Sox, former Razorback [autotag]Andrew Benintendi[/autotag] will begin a new chapter with Boston’s most heated rival.

Following Kansas City’s 4-0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that the rumors of the New York Yankees acquiring Benintendi had become true and that a trade had been made, sending Benintendi to New York in exchange for three minor league prospects.

Benintendi has been a solid run producer so far this season. In 93 games, Benintendi has hit for an average of .320 with 39 RBI. In the field, he is current fielding a perfect 1.000 with 162 put outs.

His bat is expected to help production at the plate for the Yankees in the place of Joey Gallo, who has shown signs of struggles recently. In the field, he will compliment a championship outfield consisting of Aaron Judge and Aaron Hicks.

The trade to New York raised eyebrows, due to the Yankees sharing a division with the Toronto Blue Jays. Canada has a strong policy against unvaccinated individuals, which caused an issue with Benintendi. Benintendi was one of nine Royals players that were moved to the restricted list without pay prior to a series at Toronto earlier this month due to not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

However, that issue has been resolved. Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports has reported that Benintendi has elected to receive the vaccine as part of the trade agreement.

Ironically, Benintendi’s first game as a member of the Yankees will be against his former squad, the Kansas City Royals. The four-game series is set to begin at Yankee Stadium on Thursday at 6:05 p.m. CDT.

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Jalen Battles Signs With Tampa Bay Rays

Expect to see Jalen Battles’ glove in The Show in a few years after the Arkansas shortstop signed with the Rays.

Jalen Battles will be taking his defensive talents to the west coast of Florida, officially signing with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Battles has been touted as one of the best defensive prospects heading into the MLB Draft. He was drafted in the 5th round, 164th overall by the Rays, in a draft class that includes two other shortstops.

Battles’ journey to the majors is honest, being a junior-college product before Arkansas. The Philadelphia Phillies drafted Battles in 2019, but he elected to return to college.

As a Razorback, Battles had a .279 career batting average and 122 career starts at shortstop. Alongside Robert Moore, who signed with the Milwaukee Brewers, he created the best double-play duo in college baseball.

Former Arkansas ace Dallas Keuchel signed by Rangers

Former Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel has a new professional home.

Dallas Keuchel is back close to home.

The Tulsa, Oklahoma, native and former Arkansas ace signed with the Texas Rangers on Monday. The deal is a minor-league one and he will begin in Triple-A Round Rock.

Keuchel is a two-time All-Star and the 2015 Cy Young Award winner. He won the 2017 World Series with the Houston Astros, where he spent the first seven seasons of his Major League career.

This year, he has pitched for the Chicago White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks before both teams released him. He went 2-5 with a 7.88 earned-run average with the Sox and was 0-2 with a 9.64 ERA with the Diamondbacks before his release.

Keuchel played with Arkansas from 2007-2009, helping the Diamond Hogs to the 2009 College World Series as the team’s ace.