Tag: Arkansas in the MLB

James McCann appreciates veteran role for young hot Baltimore Orioles

The 33-year old former Diamond Hog is thriving as the “veteran guy” in the Baltimore Orioles locker room.

James McCann was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in December, and the 33-year-old was curious as to how he would fit in with an Orioles squad loaded with players under 30.

After a quick stint on the IR, McCann is back in the clubhouse as the veteran backup catcher to Adley Rutschman.

McCann is one of the few Diamond Hogs currently playing in the MLB, and his time in Fayetteville should indicate why he is viewed as one of the mentors in the Orioles clubhouse.

“There’s a lot in my career that I can draw back on experience-wise and share and help really every player, whether it’s a pitcher or a hitter,” he told The Athletic about being the veteran guy.

“In working with Adley, I’ve been able to talk through some stuff with him. I really valued the veterans on my teams when I was a young player. So, hopefully, these young guys will look back on who I am and value what I brought to their careers as well.”

McCann was only a sophomore when he was named captain of a squad and hit one of the most memorable home runs in Razorback history. 

Now McCann is a mentor to the Orioles’ best player, Rutschman.

“I’ve said this really since day one. His talent is off the charts. Everyone knows that. But the way he goes about his business, his work ethic, who he is as a person, as a teammate, makes him even better. He’s a great guy to work with and we have a really good working relationship and friendship.”

McCann’s bat hasn’t been as good as his leadership so far, only batting .194 at the plate, but his presence is obviously more important.

WATCH: Former Hog Drew Smyly has perfect game bid end in heartbreak

Former Arkansas and current Chicago Cubs pitcher Drew Smyly sees his bid for a perfect game end in heartbreaking fashion.

Throwing a perfect game is the hardest thing to do at any level of baseball – let alone in the MLB. It requires a pitcher to be fully engaged and on the mound for nine innings to successfully accomplish what has only been done 23 times.

Former Arkansas pitcher [autotag]Drew Smyly[/autotag] was just six outs away from completing the 24th perfect game in major league history when it all went horribly wrong.

On the second pitch of the eighth inning, Dodgers outfielder David Peralta hit a dribbler down the third-base line. Smyly trotted to scoop up the ball and throw it to first for a routine out. However, just as Smyly was about to grab the ball, Smyly’s catcher, Yan Gomes, ran right into his back. Both players fell to the Wrigley Field grass.

Peralta reached first with ease and was credited with a hit – ending Smyly’s chance at history.

The one positive in this heartbreaking development was that the Cubs picked up an impressive 13-0 win over the Dodgers. The former All-SEC ace did make some history, though, becoming the first Cubs pitcher to be perfect through seven innings since 1993.

What a heartbreaking way to end a perfect game bid.

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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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Jordan Sprinkle spurns Arkansas, signs rookie deal with Chicago White Sox

Jordan Sprinkle, who announced his intent to transfer to Arkansas following the 2022 season, has elected to turn pro.

Turns out that Jordan Sprinkle will not report to Arkansas after all.

Sprinkle, who announced his intent to transfer to Arkansas from UC-Santa Barbara earlier this month, was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Chicago White Sox.

On Tuesday, it was reported that Sprinkle has elected to sign a deal with the White Sox, and will forgo his commitment to Arkansas Baseball. According to MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis, the White Sox signed Sprinkle for full slot value for the 131st pick for $452,900.

Sprinkle had an impressive three-season career for the Gauchos. He hit for a .319 average with 10 home runs, 67 RBI, and 51 stolen bases. He was known best for his ability to get extra-base hits. In his three year career, Sprinkle recorded 29 double and six triples.

Sprinkle joins four other Razorbacks who have signed their rookie contracts. Tuesday was the busiest day for draft signings, as [autotag]Robert Moore[/autotag] and [autotag]Jalen Battles[/autotag] also signed deals with the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays respectively. Pitchers [autotag]Connor Noland[/autotag] (Cubs) and [autotag]Evan Taylor[/autotag] (Marlins) have also signed rookie deals.

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