No returning catchers? No problem for Arkansas baseball

Michael Turner, Dylan Leach and Max Soliz Jr. are all gone from the Arkansas baseball team, so Dave Van Horn is back-filling the catcher position.

Michael Turner will go down as one of the most memorable Arkansas baseball players of the generation.

Dylan Leach will be remembered for hitting for an Arkansas rarity – a cycle – during his time with the Razorbacks.

Max Soliz Jr. was on the roster, too.

All three of Arkansas’ listed catchers for the 2022 season are gone for the 2023 season. Leach and Soliz have transferred away and Turner is off to try his hand in the professional ranks.

But Diamond Hogs coach Dave Van Horn isn’t concerned about what he has behind the plate in 2023.

Parker Rowand, who played at Arkansas State before hitting over .400 this year at Eastern Oklahoma State, has committed to play for the Razorbacks next year. Van Horn said the team had also received a commitment from another catcher, but he wasn’t at liberty to say who because the player has yet to make it public.

He may not be done, either.

“We’re still looking for another guy that maybe he’s an outfielder, right fielder that also can catch,” Van Horn said. “It’s a secondary position because you’d like to have three.”