A recent run of unprecedented success could culminate in program history for the 2022 Arkansas Razorbacks. 

After earning the No. 1-overall seed in the 2021 NCAA Tournament, Arkansas opens the '22 campaign ranked anywhere from No. 2 to No. 20 in preseason polls. Most rankings have the Razorbacks in the top 10. 

Arkansas embarks on the season with the pieces to make a run at the program’s first-ever national championship. The Razorbacks reached the championship round of the College World Series for just the second time and first in almost 40 years to cap 2018, returned to Omaha in 2019, and came just a run away from a third consecutive College World Series last year. 

“Who could have projected we were going to do what we did? Win 50 games, win three championships, and almost make it to Omaha,” Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn said of coming off the abrupt end to 2020 due to COVID-19. 

This year, Arkansas has the benefit of a full offseason to reload and make a push for a national title. 

Hitting

Preseason consensus All-American Robert Moore headlines an electric lineup that led the nation in home runs last season with 63. Moore hit a team-high 16 to pace his 53 RBI. 

Brady Slavens and Freshman All-American Cayden Wallace each hit 14 home runs. They return to the roster, ensuring the Razorbacks have power to spare. But the most intriguing element to Arkansas’ lineup isn’t a returner–it’s incoming freshman Peyton Stovall. 

Projected as a 1st Round 2021 MLB draft prospect–No. 29 overall, per MLB.com–Stovall instead opted to join the Razorbacks. The Louisiana prep player of the year is a preseason All-American and rounds out one of the nation’s most impressive infields. It’s a group that includes shortstop Jalen Battles, an outstanding defender who finished 2021 with a 95.6 fielding percentage and 34 double-plays turned. 

In the outfield, Braydon Webb is a player to watch. Van Horn told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Webb “had an incredible fall until he got hurt (with a dislocated shoulder).” 

Pitching

Preseason All-American Jaxon Wiggins put together an impressive debut season with 28 strikeouts and four saves in 23 innings of work. The pitching staff also returns Peyton Pallette, who made 11 starts in 2021 with 67 strikeouts and a 4.02 ERA, though Van Horn noted that “he’ll still have to earn that spot” in the starting rotation. 

“There’s about five or six guys [who] will battle to get on the mound as a starter,” Van Horn said. 

The coach mentioned right-handed veteran Connor Noland as “looking the best he’s ever looked,” and freshman Southpaw Hagen Smith–who turned 18 in August and is Arkansas’ youngest player–as a high-potential addition who “came out and pitched like he was 22.” 

X-Factor

Arkansas heads into 2022 with an intriguing combination of veteran experience and promising youth. If the freshmen, led by Stovall, can contribute immediately, the Razorbacks can expect to compete for Omaha. 

The schedule will test them right away, including an early-season top 10 matchup with preseason Pac-12 Conference favorite Stanford.