FAYETTEVILLE – The Razorback baseball program and head coach Dave Van Horn announced this week the signing of 20 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2019 season.
Van Horn, who is entering his 16th season as the Arkansas skipper, along with pitching coach Wes Johnson and newest assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Nate Thompson, added a good variety of pitchers and position players as well as some of the top players in Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas.
“It’s a well-rounded class,” Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. “We’ve signed 12 pitchers, five lefties, seven righties, all with the chance to contribute right away. We’re excited with the potential of the pitching recruits that we’re bringing in. As for the position players, we tried to get athletic kids that are a good mix of right and left-handed hitters, some with power, and some that can really run. Overall, I think this group will really mesh with the freshman class that’s here now.”
As always, Van Horn and his staff made sure the best players in the state of Arkansas stayed home when deciding where to sign, including two standouts from nearby Bentonville High School. Infielders Tyler Johnson and Kam’ron Mays-Hunt both signed with the Razorbacks during the early signing period and will add even more depth on the defensive front as well as strong right-handed bats.
Johnson is the ninth-ranked player in the state of Arkansas according to Prep Baseball Report and has hit over .350 in each of the last two seasons to earn back-to-back 7A All-Conference distinctions, as well as being named a First Team All-USA Today player last year. Johnson also plays football for the Bentonville High Tigers where he has been teammates with another Razorback Baseball signee in Mays-Hunt.
Mays-Hunt moved to Bentonville from White Hall, Arkansas after his freshman year and became the school’s all-time leading receiver earlier this year as he has 52 receptions for 813 yards and 12 touchdowns. His raw baseball talent has gotten plenty of notice lately while playing for the Arkansas Sticks Elite travel team. Last year with Bentonville, Mays-Hunt hit .340 with two home runs, five doubles, two triples, and 17 RBIs. He’s also pitched in the last year, making seven appearances with four saves and 19 strikeouts.
Along with the two Bentonville standouts, right-handed pitcher Wade Beasley of Horatio, Arkansas, and right-hander Connor McCullough from Maumelle, Arkansas, complete the group of in-state players, both of which are ranked in the top-10 of Arkansas players by Prep Baseball Report.
“We always want to get the local kids if we feel like they can come in and contribute,” Van Horn said. “The talent in the state of Arkansas continues to get better every year. There’s a lot of other schools trying to get in this state now with their recruiting. We’re already getting commitments from players for the 2019 and 2020 class and if you can keep the best players in the state at Arkansas, it’s such a good foundation. We’ve had a lot of success doing that.”
Even with signing some of the top in-state talent, Van Horn and his staff reached plenty of areas around the country including the top three players from Missouri in Christian Franklin, Liam Henry, and Allante’ Hall.
Hailing from talent-rich Kansas City or the surrounding area, the trio of Franklin, Henry, and Hall make up the three best players in Missouri, according to Prep Baseball Report. Franklin is top-rated player and hit .361 over the last two seasons, while also participating in the 2016 WWBA Underclass World Championships and 2017 WWBA World Championships, which were both wood bat tournaments.
The only junior college player in the class is catcher Josh Breaux from McLennan Community College. Breaux batted .401 as a freshman with 82 RBIs, helping McLennan reach the JUCO World Series, where he hit four of his 19 home runs. He also spent the summer playing for the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod League and was drafted in the 36th round by the Houston Astros in the 2017 MLB Draft, just eight picks after his brother Joe was taken by the Philadelphia Phillies.
The 2018 Razorback baseball team will begin its season against Bucknell with a three-game series on Friday, February 16.
For more information on Razorback Baseball, follow @RazorbackBSB on Twitter.
RAZORBACK BASEBALL CLASS OF 2018 SIGNEES
| Name | Position | B/T | Height | Weight | Hometown | Previous School |
| Wade Beasley | RHP | R/R | 6-3 | 210 | Horatio, Ark. | Horatio HS |
| Josh Breaux | C | R/R | 6-2 | 215 | Tomball, Texas | McLennan C.C./Tomball HS |
| Jacob Burton | RHP | R/R | 6-0 | 175 | Diana, Texas | New Diana HS |
| Caleb Denny | INF | L/R | 6-1 | 175 | Owasso, Okla. | Owasso HS |
| Christian Franklin | OF | R/R | 5-11 | 180 | Kansas City, Mo. | Rockhurst HS |
| Zack Gregory | SS | L/R | 5-8 | 145 | Fort Worth, Texas | Timber Creek HS |
| Allante’ Hall | C | R/R | 6-0 | 183 | Blue Springs, Mo. | Blue Springs South HS |
| Liam Henry | LHP | L/L | 6-2 | 175 | Kansas City, Mo. | Park Hill HS |
| Travis Hester | RHP | R/R | 6-2 | 190 | College Station, Texas | College Station HS |
| Tyler Isenberg | RHP | R/R | 5-10 | 170 | Orange Park, Fla. | Trinity Christian Academy |
| Tyler Johnson | INF | L/L | 6-2 | 200 | Bentonville, Ark. | Bentonville HS |
| Dillon Lifrieri | OF | R/R | 6-1 | 190 | Wilton, Conn. | Wilton HS |
| Kam’ron Mays-Hunt | RHP | R/R | 6-1 | 185 | Bentonville, Ark. | Bentonville HS |
| Connor McCullough | RHP | R/R | 6-1 | 170 | Maumelle, Ark. | Maumelle HS |
| Caden Monke | LHP | L/L | 6-3 | 165 | Mt. Olive, Ill. | Mt. Olive HS |
| Steven Sanchez | LHP | L/L | 6-7 | 230 | Mundelein, Ill. | Mundelein HS |
| Evan Taylor | LHP | L/L | 6-4 | 220 | Florence, Ala. | Florence HS |
| Elijah Trest | RHP/OF | L/R | 6-3 | 210 | White Oak, Texas | White Oak HS |
| Patrick Wicklander | LHP | R/L | 6-3 | 185 | San Jose, Calif. | Valley Christian Schools |
| Jacob Wilk | INF | R/R | 6-4 | 203 | Harker Heights, Texas | Salado HS |
Wade Beasley | RHP | 6-3 | 210 | R/R | Horatio, Ark. (Horatio HS)
Ranked No. 239 in the nation by Perfect Game … Participated in the 2017 Perfect Game National Showcase … Named a Perfect Game Underclassman All-American in 2017 … Garnered a 1.11 ERA with four victories in 13 appearances during his junior season with 51 strikeouts in 31.2 innings … Named to 2017 3A All-State Team … Plays for coach Lance Spigner at Horatio High School … Transferred to Horatio from Foreman High School during the summer of 2016.
Josh Breaux | C | 6-2 | 215 | R/R | Tomball, Texas (McLennan Community College/Tomball HS)
Currently a sophomore at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas … Batted .401 as a freshman with 19 home runs and 82 RBIs in 59 games … Also hit four home runs at the JUCO World Series … Spent the summer playing for the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod League … Batted .271 for the Commodores with six home runs and 24 RBIs in 35 games … Received the Cape Cod League’s Silva Sportsmanship Award … Drafted in the 36th round by the Houston Astros in the 2017 MLB Draft … Hit .402 as a senior at Tomball High School with seven home runs and 38 RBIs … Was a first team all-district selection in Texas … Named to Texas High School Baseball Coaches’ Association All-Star Team and was also an all-state selection … Was Houston 5A Hitter of the Year … Played for head coach Doug rush at Tomball High School and Mitch Thompson at McLennan.
Jacob Burton | RHP | 6-0 | 175 | R/R | Diana, Texas (New Diana HS)
Ranked in the top 500 in the nation by Perfect Game … Named a Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-American in 2016 and 2017 … Also played in the 2016 Junior National Showcase and 2016 Perfect Game Underclass All-American Games after his sophomore season … Went 10-4 on the mound as a junior with 112 strikeouts and a 1.39 ERA … Named back-to-back 16-3A Pitcher MVP as a sophomore and junior … Selected to the TSWA All-State Team … Played for Bernie Martinez at New Diana High School.
Caleb Denny | INF | 6-1 | 175 | L/R | Owasso, Okla. (Owasso HS)
Top 500 player in the nation by Perfect Game … 2017 Perfect Game Underclassmen All-American Honorable Mention … 2017 Oklahoma All-State honorable mention Hit .393 as a junior with a team-leading 37 RBIs and six home runs … Finished second on the team in hits (42) and average … Had a two home run game against Collinsville and hit a solo shot in the Battle of the Bats win over Broken Arrow … Was a freshman starter at shortstop on the 2015 state championship team … Played for the Sandlot Sox Baseball Club during the summer … Played for coach Larry Turner at Owasso High School.
Christian Franklin | OF | 5-11 | 180 | R/R | Kansas City, Mo. (Rockhurst HS)
Ranked the top player in the state of Missouri by Perfect Game … Named to back-to-back Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-American Teams in 2016 and 2017 … Participated in 2016 WWBA Underclass World Championships and 2017 WWBA World Championships … Has hit .361 over the last two seasons with 18 RBIs and 14 runs scored … Played for Jim Degraw at Rockhurst High School.
Zack Gregory | INF | 5-8 | 145 | L/R | Fort Worth, Texas (Timber Creek)
Hit .340 with two home runs, 14 RBIs, 29 runs and three triples last year at Timber Creek … Named to 2016-17 UIL All-District 3-6A First Team … Earned 5-6A Newcomer of the Year honors in 2016 … Played summer ball with the NTXBC Dirtbags … Played for coach Derek Watson at Timber Creek High School.
Allante’ Hall | C | 6-0 | 183 | R/R | Blue Springs, Mo. (Blue Springs South)
A top-500 player in the nation according to Perfect Game … Named a high honorable mention for the 2017 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-American Team … Played in 2017 Ban Johnson All-Star Game at Kauffman Stadium … Selected to play in the 2017 Area Code Games for the White Sox team … Named a 2017 First Team All-Suburban Gold Conference player … Named to 2016 All-Area Team by the Examiner.
Liam Henry | LHP | 6-2 | 175 | L/L | Kansas City, Mo. (Park Hill HS)
Ranked No. 229 player in the nation according to Perfect Game … No. 3 ranked player in the state of Missouri by Prep Baseball Report … Participated in 2016 Perfect Game Underclass All-American Game and 2017 National Showcase … Named first team all-conference player after junior season … Helped Park Hill reach the 2017 Class 4 District 16 tournament … Served as ace of the pitching staff and also played centerfield … Compiled a record of 3-3 with a 2.02 ERA in a team-high 34.2 innings … Struck out 47 batters and walked 19 as a junior … Hit .361 last season with a team-best .529 on-base percentage … Also plays football at Park Hill High School … Currently plays baseball for coach Bill Sobbe at Park Hill.
Travis Hester | RHP | 6-2 | 190 | R/R | College Station, Texas (College Station HS)
A top-500 player in the nation according to Perfect Game … Named a high honorable mention for the 2017 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-American Team … Went 8-0 as a junior with a 0.38 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 55.1 innings … Was named the 18-5A MVP … Selected to the THSBCA 5A All-State First Team and the TSWA 5A All-State Third Team … In 2016, went 10-1 with a 1.86 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 75.1 innings … Named first team pitcher on 18-5A All-District Team … Was also 18-5A Newcomer of the Year in 2015 … Plays for coach Scott Holder at College Station High School.
Tyler Isenberg | RHP | 5-10 | 170 | R/R | Orange Park, Fla. (Trinity Christian Academy)
49th-ranked player in the state of Florida according to Prep Baseball Report and No. 232 in the nation … Named to back-to-back Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-America Teams in 2016 and 2017 … Made six appearances as a junior for Trinity, striking out eight over 6.1 innings … Threw 12 innings for the Florida Burn travel team this summer, striking out 20, while giving up just four hits with five walks … Plays for head coach Gil Morales at Trinity Christian Academy.
Tyler Johnson | INF | 6-2 | 200 | L/L | Bentonville, Ark. (Bentonville HS)
Ninth-ranked player in the state of Arkansas by Prep Baseball Report and No. 218 in the nation … Hit .359 as a junior, .444 in conference play with eight doubles, one triple, three home runs, and 15 RBIs … Had nearly identical numbers as a sophomore, hitting .375 at the plate with 10 doubles, four triples, two home runs, and 22 RBIs … 2016-17 All-USA Today High School First Team … Two-time 7A West All-Conference Player (2016 and 2017) … Part of 2016 7A West Conference champions … Also plays football at Bentonville High, where he had 21 catches for 268 yards and three touchdowns as a junior … Plays for head coach and former Razorback pitcher Todd Abbott at Bentonville High School.
Dillon Lifrieri | OF | 6-1 | 190 | R/R | Wilton, Conn. (Wilton HS)
Ranked No. 293 in the nation by Perfect Game … Sixth-ranked player in the state of Connecticut by Prep Baseball Report … Named to 2016 and 2017 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-American Teams … Played in WWBA World Championships in 2014, 2016, and 2017 … Part of 2015 and 2017 FCIAC state champion Wilton High School … Was only player on team to earn all-state honors in 2017 … Hit .426 last season with 24 RBIs and eight stolen bases … Earned honorable mention All-FCIAC honors after freshman season … Currently plays for Timothy Eagen at Wilton High School.
Kam’ron Mays-Hunt | RHP/OF | 6-1 | 185 | R/R | Bentonville, Ark. (Bentonville HS)
Made seven appearances last summer for the Arkansas Sticks Elite travel team, recording four saves in 11 innings pitched … Struck out 19 batters during that span and compiled a 1.63 ERA … Helped Bentonville reach the quarterfinals of the Arkansas 7A State Tournament … Also a three-year starter for the football team … Became school’s all-time leading receiver earlier this year as he has 52 receptions for 813 yards and 12 touchdowns … Named Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-American Honorable Mention in 2016 and 2017 … Currently plays for head coach and former Razorback pitcher Todd Abbott at Bentonville High School.
Connor McCullough | RHP | 6-1 | 170 | R/R | Maumelle, Ark. (Maumelle HS)
No. 4 ranked player in the state of Arkansas by Prep Baseball Report … Went 4-0 during the summer while playing for the Arkansas Sticks Elite … Struck out 44 batters for a 0.42 ERA in wins over San Diego Show, Perfect Timing, Louisiana Knights, and BPA travel teams … Against the San Diego Show at the WWBA Championships in Atlanta, he struck out 12, while giving up just one hit in five innings … Participated in 2016 Area Code Underclass Games, throwing three perfect innings for the White Sox, striking out two … Plays for Barrett Davis at Maumelle.
Caden Monke | LHP | 6-3 | 165 | L/L | Mt. Olive, Ill. (Mt. Olive HS)
Ranked the No. 364 player in the nation by Perfect Game and is the No. 3 ranked player in the state of Illinois by Prep Baseball Report … Named to 2016 and 2017 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-American Teams … Played in 2017 Perfect Game National Showcase … Has seven wins and 100 strikeouts in 66.1 innings over the last three seasons at Mt. Olive High School … Had his best season as a junior, compiling a 2.62 ERA with a career-high five wins and 66 strikeouts … Named Prairie State All-Conference in 2016 and 2017 … Plays under head coach Chris Monke at Mt. Olive High School.
Steven Sanchez | LHP | 6-7 | 230 | L/L | Mundelein, Ill. (Mundelein HS)
Ranked the No. 6 player in the state of Illinois by Prep Baseball Report … Helped Mundelein High School to the Class 4A Schaumburg Supersectional … Posted a 6-1 record with 55 strikeouts in 40.1 innings for a 0.52 ERA as a junior … Plays for head coach Todd Parola at Mundelein High School.
Evan Taylor | LHP | 6-4 | 220 | L/L | Florence, Ala. (Florence HS)
Attended 2017 Perfect Game National Showcase … Compiled a 2.20 ERA and 50 innings pitched in 2017 … Helped Florence High School to Area Championships in 2015 and 2016 … Also played in the 2016 National High School Invitational … Plays travel ball for the Louisiana Knights.
Elijah Trest | RHP/OF | 6-3 | 210 | L/R | White Oak, Texas (White Oak HS)
Missed most of junior season due to injury … Went 7-1 on the mound as a sophomore with a 1.28 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 43.1 innings … Hit .307 with a pair of home runs and 10 doubles in 2016 … Also played football for White Oak High School and recorded nearly 200 tackles over the past two seasons … Plays for head coach Skylar Stagner at White Oak High School.
Patrick Wicklander | LHP | 6-3 | 185 | R/L | San Jose, Calif. (Valley Christian Schools)
No. 226 player in the nation and No. 29 left-handed pitcher by Perfect Game … Compiled a 1.92 ERA as a junior with 94 strikeouts in 80.1 innings and a .192 opponent’s batting average … Helped Valley Christian to the 2017 CCS Open Division Championship … 2017 Collegiate Baseball Preseason Second Team High School All-American … Participated in 2017 Area Code Games for the A’s … Attended 2017 Perfect Game National Showcase … Plays under head coach John Diatte at Valley Christian.
Jacob Wilk | INF | 6-4 | 203 | R/R | Harker Heights, Texas (Salado HS)
Part of district champion team in 2015 and state runner-up in 2016 with Salado High School … Won area championship in 2017 … Hit .379 as a junior with 30 RBIs, nine doubles, three triples, two home runs, and six stolen bases … 2017 Offensive MVP in District 19-4A … 2016 Second Team All-District 25-4A … Plays for Chad Krempin at Salado High School.
