Connor Noland hints at a possible return to Arkansas

Arkansas’ ace discussed his future during an interview with a local morning show on Wednesday.

The key piece to Arkansas’ pitching rotation for the 2022 season has a big decision to make.

Arkansas right-handed pitcher [autotag]Connor Noland[/autotag] joined “The Morning Rush” on ESPN Arkansas Wednesday morning, where the topic of declaring for the Major League Baseball draft was discussed.

When asked whether or not he had plans to begin his professional career, or return to Arkansas for his fifth season of eligibility that has been granted due to the shortened 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Noland says that he is going to take his time to make the right decision for him.

Noland stepped up in a huge way for Arkansas, as he took over the Friday night starter role in place of projected ace [autotag]Peyton Pallette[/autotag], who suffered an elbow injury prior to the start of the 2022 season.

Noland, who had not gotten significant starts on the mound since his freshman season in 2019, went 8-6 in 19 starts, accumulating a 3.65 ERA with 113 strikeouts to just 34 issued walks in 116.0 innings pitched. He tells hosts Tye Richardson and Tommy Craft that he prepared during the offseason to be a shoe-in for that role.

The MLB Draft is set to begin Sunday, July 17 and last until Tuesday, July 19. If Noland is not selected in a spot that is beneficial, he has the opportunity to return to Arkansas for next season in an effort to improve his draft stock.

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Could Notre Dame Baseball signee spur the Irish for the MLB?

The allure of being a 1st-round pick is tempting

There is a lot to be said about potentially going in the first round of any draft, let alone the MLB Draft. That is exactly the scenario for Irish verbal [autotag]Owen Murphy[/autotag] of Riverside Brookfield High School in Illinois.

Currently the right-handed pitcher is viewed as a potential supplemental first-round selection, most recently by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel (insider). He could end up going the same route as current Notre Dame two-way star Jack Brannigan, but that’s only if he actually ends up in South Bend.

Committing to [autotag]Link Jarrett[/autotag], who now has gone back to his alma mater Florida State to be their head coach, Murphy will have a massive life choice in front of him. It is entirely possible that due to the uncertainty of who the Irish manager will be, that Murphy could skip college and get his professional career started.

On the other hand, he could get drafted by a team he may not want to play for, decided that his draft stock and subsequent signing bonus could improve and make more money while getting close to completing a degree in three-years.

At this point it’s an unknown what Murphy’s intentions will be. What we do know is that he is a highly-thought of prospect, the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year, that will be an asset wherever he lands next.

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Former No. 1 pick Mark Appel will make improbable MLB debut with Phillies at age 30

A moment nine years in the making.

The path to the big leagues in baseball is rarely direct, but for Mark Appel, that’s an understatement.

In 2018, his career appeared to be dead in the water. He was labeled one of the biggest busts in MLB draft history, and he spent three seasons out of baseball. But now, the former No. 1 overall pick in 2013 is set to make his major league debut with the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday.

And it’s been quite the journey to get here.

Coming out of Monte Vista High School in Danville, California, the right-hander was one of the nation’s top prep pitchers. He was a 15th-round pick in 2009 by the Detroit Tigers but chose instead to enroll at Stanford. He ultimately became a First Team All-American in 2012 and was named the National Pitcher of the Year.

He was thought to be the top prospect in 2012, but concerns about his bonus demands led to him dropping to the Pittsburgh Pirates at No. 8. He chose not to sign and returned to Stanford for his senior season, eventually becoming the top pick for the Houston Astros the following year.

Appel saw some spring training action with the Astros and reached the Triple A level, but he ultimately was traded in 2015 to the Philadelphia Phillies.

A string of injuries kept him from making the jump to the majors, and he was designated for assignment by Philadelphia in 2017. On Feb. 1, 2018, at the age of 26, he announced that he would be stepping away from baseball, citing a lack of interest in the game and difficulties from injuries, according to MLB.com.

And for three seasons, it looked like that was where his baseball story ended. He was one of the most disappointing draft picks ever and one of just three No. 1 picks not to make the major leagues — excluding younger players who are still in the minors — per the league.

But in 2021, Appel shocked the baseball world by announcing a comeback. The Phillies still had his contract rights, and he was assigned to their Double A squad, the Reading Fighting Phils, to begin the 2021 season. He shortly returned to the Triple A level with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

He’s been with the IronPigs since the start of the 2022 season, but after Philadelphia pitcher Connor Brogdon was placed on the COVID-19 injured list, Appel will finally get his long-awaited chance to play at the major league level, though it’s unclear when or if he will have the opportunity to take the bump.

And when he steps onto the field at Petco Park donning a Phillies jersey, it will be a moment that has been nine years in the making.

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Tale of the Tape: Individual Leaders – Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma

Do you take the Irish’s leaders or the Sooners’?

Notre Dame gets to play Oklahoma in its next College World Series game, and it might have an advantage as far as balance. Sure, you have [autotag]Carter Putz [/autotag]pacing the Irish in both runs scored and RBIs, and [autotag]Jack Findlay[/autotag] is terrific at keeping runs off the board and closing games. However, you have a variety of names after that. [autotag]David LaManna[/autotag] hits well for average, [autotag]Jack Zyska[/autotag] provides the power, and [autotag]Ryan Cole[/autotag] is a menace on the basepaths.

For the Sooners, it’s mainly one guy apiece on the hitting and pitching sides. One of them is shortstop Peyton Graham, who is projected to be taken early in the upcoming MLB draft. Also getting ready for the draft is left-handed pitcher Jake Bennett, who won’t be available after starting and winning the Sooners’ last game against Texas A&M. Although not listed in the above chart, make sure you’re on the lookout for catcher Jimmy Crooks, too.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Arkansas pitcher Jaxon Wiggins named No. 3 MLB Draft prospect in Omaha

Arkansas pitcher Jaxon Wiggins’ stuff has pro scouts drooling at the College World Series.

Jaxon Wiggins spent most of the 2022 season as Arkansas’ third starter. At the College World Series, he will almost certainly be a part of the Razorbacks’ plans.

In fact, he could be in the plans far beyond that.

Wiggins, a 6-foot-6, 220-pound sophomore from Roland, Oklahoma, has the stuff of a front-line professional. He was named the No. 3 prospect to watch (eligible for the 2023 draft) at the whole College World Series by ESPN.

“Wiggins is regularly in the upper-90s and has above-average off-speed stuff but is still inexperienced,” the report reads.

Arkansas third baseman Cayden Wallace is the Razorbacks’ top-ranked professional prospect. The report lists him as the No. 3 prospect – eligible for any draft – at the whole tournament. Razorbacks second baseman Robert Moore is the No. 10 prospect.

Also considered for the future are Arkansas right-hander Brady Tygart, left-hander Hagen Smith, shortstop Jalen Battles and infielder Peyton Stovall, who is largely expected to move off of first base to second in the pros.

Tale of the Tape: Individual Leaders – Notre Dame vs. Texas Tech

Which stars do you prefer?

You can get a pretty good idea of where Notre Dame and Texas Tech stand when looking at their individual leaders. For instance, runs are both scored and driven in frequently by senior captain [autotag]Carter Putz[/autotag], so the Irish know where their production most likely will come from. When it comes to pitching, it begins and ends with [autotag]John Michael Bertrand[/autotag], a graduate captain and one of the most decorated pitchers the Irish have had in recent years.

The Red Raiders have a fiery offense that revolves heavily around sophomore Jace Jung, who’s expected to be selected early in this year’s MLB draft. That power is needed to pick up the slack for a team that doesn’t steal a lot of bases. That means the Red Raiders have to rely on the bats themselves to get the runs across. But when they do, pitchers like Brandon Birdsell, another upcoming MLB draftee, benefit.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

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One Notre Dame player named to MLB Pipeline‘s Top-200 Draft prospects

It’s not who you think it is

The Irish have done well traditionally sending players off the the MLB, especially for a Midwest baseball team. Just last year pitcher [autotag]Tanner Kohlhepp[/autotag] and first baseman [autotag]Niko Kavadas[/autotag] were selected inside the first 11 rounds of the MLB Draft.

This coming season should see the same, as the Irish once again have a highly ranked squad and are facing off against North Carolina for a berth in the ACC Championship series. The NCAA Tournament looms large and so does the draft. Recently MLB Pipeline ranked the Top-200 draft prospects and had just one Notre Dame player on the list, and it’s not who many thought it would be.

Before looking at this list, my initial thought was where would pitcher [autotag]John Michael Bertrand[/autotag] land and if there was going to be another one of his teammates on this list. Well, the opposite happened and after looking over the list, it was why wasn’t JMB listed while [autotag]Jack Brannigan[/autotag] was.

This is no slight to Brannigan, who is a great player in his own right, but the ace of the Irish staff being left of this list is a big time omission. A left-handed power pitcher with a proven track record is what many teams should be looking for.

Back to Brannigan, who checked in as the 163rd player ranked and “has the best college arm in the Midwest” according to the scouting report. The two-way star is also projected to end up on the mound at the next level, but does want to start his professional career as a positional player. It surely will be interesting how teams handle that request.

Eithe way, the Irish have two very good draft eligible prospects but don’t be surprised to see a few other Notre Dame players get drafted as well.

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Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

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2022 MLB draft: Where five Vols are projected to be drafted

2022 MLB draft: A look at where five Vols are projected to be drafted

The 2022 Major League Baseball first-year player draft will take place July 17–19 in Los Angeles, California.

The draft is 20 rounds and will televised by MLB Network. Baltimore has the No. 1 overall pick.

The Vols have five players mentioned in ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel’s 2022 MLB draft rankings 2.0.

Right fielder Jordan Beck, pitcher Blade Tidwell, centerfielder Drew Gilbert and pitcher Ben Joyce were listed as top 150 players in McDaniel’s draft rankings released Wednesday. Third baseman Trey Lipscomb was listed as other 40 players outside the top 150.

McDaniel’s entire rankings can be viewed here.

Below are rankings for Tennessee players. Rankings are where McDaniel would pick players in the upcoming draft.

Top 10 high school prospects for 2022 MLB Draft

USA TODAY High School Sports takes a look at the top 10 high school prospects for the 2022 MLB Draft.

High school baseball season is here, which means some of the top players in the nation are one step closer to rising to the professional ranks.

Elite seniors will hear their name called when the 2022 MLB Draft takes place in July. Many will go off the board high as teams scour the amateur ranks for their next superstar.

Here is an early look at the top 10 high school prospects for this year’s MLB Draft.

Teodosio signs free agent contract

One of the top center fielders to ever play for the Tigers has signed a free-agent contract. Bryce Teodosio signed a contract with the Los Angeles Angels. “I’m super excited I’m jacked up,” Teodosio told The Clemson Insider. As a redshirt junior …

One of the top center fielders to ever play for the Tigers has signed a free-agent contract.

Bryce Teodosio signed a contract with the Los Angeles Angels.

“I’m super excited  I’m jacked up,” Teodosio told The Clemson Insider.

As a redshirt junior this past season, Teodosio batted .235 with eight home runs, 21 runs batted in, 25 runs scored and had six stolen bases. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound native of Simpsonville, S.C., posted a .458 slugging percentage and .361 on-base percentage with 57 strikeouts and 18 walks across 153 at-bats over 52 games played (50 starts).

Clemson’s best defensive outfielder, Teodosio boasts good speed and power and entered the 2021 season with 13 doubles, 13 homers, 43 RBIs, 46 runs, 30 walks, 10 hit-by-pitches and 12 steals in 100 games (84 starts) over his first three years with the Tigers.

Teodosio lettered three times in baseball at Mauldin High School, where he was an All-Upstate selection as a junior and all-region selection as a junior and senior.

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