Arkansas Has Successful 2021 MLB Draft

There were many current, future and hopeful Razorbacks that were drafted in this years Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft.

It was brought up several times during the postseason that Arkansas wouldn’t have a single player in the top 50. That actually ended becoming very true. The Razorbacks almost didn’t have a player drafted in the first 100 picks (Kevin Kopps, 3rd round, 99th pick).

That really should show Razorback fans and baseball fans around the country that Dave Van Horn overachieved with his roster in 2021. However, if you look at the other side of the argument the Hogs also had nine players drafted which ranked second in the country and first in the SEC.

This was one of the more loaded Razorback draft classes this year. Here is a rundown of each player drafted, round and team:

DRAFTED PLAYERS

Kevin Kopps 3rd Round Padres

Christian Franklin, 4th round, Cubs

Ryan Costeiu, 7th round, Angels

Casey Opitz, 8th round, Cubs

Patrick Wicklander, 8th round, Rays

Lael Lockhart 9th round, Dodgers

Caden Monke, 14th round, Royals

Elijah Trest, 19th round, Rockies

Charlie Welch, 19th round, Mariners

2021 Razorback Signees

Max Muncy, 1st round, Athletic’s

Jordan Viars, 3rd round, Phillies

Drew Gray, 3rd round, Cubs

Braylon Bishop, 14th round, Pirates

Drake Varnado, 17th round, Diamondbacks

Brenden Dixon, 20th round, Pirates

•Player staying in school in bold

Arkansas has quite a few players that went undrafted like Jalen Battles and Brady Slavens that will return. Along with Cayden Wallace, Robert Moore and Brayden Webb the Razorbacks have what could be a solid nucleus.

The future will continue to be filled with postseason appearances and Omaha aspirations. The 2022 season will be one of the best chances of any to get there.

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