Four Arkansas Baseball Players Make MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Draft Prospects List
FAYETTEVILLE – As the holiday season approaches, four Arkansas Razorbacks baseball players are among the top 100 draft prospects for the 2026 MLB draft, according to MLB Pipeline's rankings released in early December. The draft will take place in Philadelphia from July 11-13.
Junior right-handed pitcher Gabe Gaeckle leads the Razorbacks with a ranking of 24th. Catcher Ryder Hefrick follows closely behind at 29th. Left-handed pitcher Hunter Deitz is ranked 36th, and sophomore right-handed pitcher Carson Wiggins rounds out the Arkansas contingent at 87th.
Gaeckle, drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 20th round of the 2023 draft, showcased his talent as a freshman in 2024, posting a 3-3 record with a team-leading 7 saves in 42 2/3 innings. MLB.com writer Jim Callis praises Gaeckle's performance, noting his 4-2 record with a 4.42 ERA in 19 games, including 9 starts, before transitioning back to the bullpen.
Gaeckle, voted the preseason SEC Pitcher of the Year, demonstrated his prowess with 91 strikeouts and 32 walks in 71 1/3 innings last season. His final appearance was particularly impressive, as he faced 10 LSU batters in six innings of one-run relief at the College World Series, showcasing his ability to pitch in high-pressure situations.
Callis highlights Gaeckle's potential, suggesting that his shorter stature and electric arm could make him an early pick if he can prove his ability to start.
Hefrick had a breakout season as a sophomore, batting .305 with 15 home runs and 38 RBIs, and is expected to make an even greater impact this year. Callis describes Hefrick as a potential Gold Glover behind the plate with 25-home run upside.
Deitz, who has been plagued by injuries, has only pitched in four games over two years at Arkansas. However, he made a strong impression during fall scrimmages, leading Callis to project him as a top-10 pick.
Wiggins, who will be 21 when the draft arrives, is currently rehabbing an elbow injury and would likely be higher on the list if he were healthy. Before the injury, he was 1-1 with 3 saves and a 3.21 ERA in 14 innings, striking out 20 and walking 9.
Arkansas Head Coach Dave Van Horn expresses optimism about Wiggins' potential, hoping he can pitch for the team by the end of 2026. With his two-year draft eligibility, Wiggins will have a decision to make, and Van Horn believes he could be an early pick on the first day of the 2027 draft if he returns for his junior season.
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Arkansas will begin its 2026 season with a four-game series at Texas Rangers' Globe Life Stadium in Arlington from February 13-17. The first three games will be part of the Shriner Children's College Showdown, featuring Oklahoma State on Friday at 7 p.m., TCU on Saturday at 7 p.m., and Texas Tech on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Unlike previous trips to Arlington, the Razorbacks will stay and play an extra game against Tarleton State on Monday at 2 p.m.
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Arkansas' home schedule starts on February 20 with a three-game series against Xavier, followed by a visit from Arkansas State the following week, with games on Tuesday and Wednesday at 3 p.m.
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Arkansas' 11-man recruiting class, ranked 14th by Baseball America and Perfect Game, marks the 11th straight year the Razorbacks have landed a recurring class in the Top 20. Head Coach Dave Van Horn praises pitching coach Matt Hobbs, hitting coach Nate Thompson, and assistant coach Matt Hobbs for their recruitment efforts.
Van Horn highlights their strong reputations as some of the best recruiters in the country, and the 2026 signing class is further proof of their success. He expresses excitement about welcoming this talented group to Fayetteville and getting to work.
Arkansas' 12-man signing class includes six position players (three infielders, one catcher, one outfielder, and one utility player), three pitchers (two right-handers and one left-hander), and three two-way players. The signees hail from five different states: Arkansas (4), Texas (4), Missouri (2), Hawaiʻi (1), and Kansas (1).
Recruiting Coordinator Thompson congratulates the members of the 2026 signing class, praising their talent and passion for competing and playing for the Razorbacks. He looks forward to seeing them in action in the fall of 2026.
