The University of Arkansas baseball team has set a new program record with 12 players selected in the 2026 MLB Draft. This surpasses the previous record and reinforces the team’s position as a premier talent producer in college baseball.
Record-Breaking Draft Class
The Razorbacks had a nation-leading five players taken on Day 1, including three first-round picks. Ryder Helfrick, a catcher, was drafted 15th overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks, becoming the first Arkansas catcher to be drafted in the first round. Right-hander Carson Wiggins was drafted 27th overall by the New York Mets, and left-hander Hunter Dietz was drafted 35th overall by the New York Yankees.
Other players drafted include Gabe Gaeckle, Camden Kozeal, Ethan McElvain, and Colin Fisher. The team’s 12 total draft picks broke the program record and marked the fourth double-digit draft class in program history.
Program Records and Milestones
The 2026 draft class set or matched several major program records, including the most pitchers drafted in a single draft and the most first-round picks over a two-draft span. The team has now had 17 all-time first-round picks and has produced a nation-leading 65 draft picks since 2018.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
