The Arkansas Razorbacks enter the 2026 college baseball season with lofty expectations, and Baseball America’s preseason All-American selections only reinforce why. A nation-leading four Hogs were named preseason All-Americans, showcasing the depth, balance, and star power returning to Fayetteville.
Razorbacks Lead the Nation in Preseason All-American Honors
Junior right-hander Gabe Gaeckle and sophomore pitcher Carson Wiggins earned first-team honors, while catcher Ryder Helfrick landed on the second team and utility infielder Camden Kozeal was named to the third team. Together, the quartet underscores why Arkansas is firmly entrenched inside the preseason top 10 and viewed as a legitimate national title contender.
Leading the way is Gaeckle, who appears poised to step into the Friday night ace role heading into his junior season. In 2025, Gaeckle made 19 appearances with nine starts, posting a 4–2 record and a 4.42 ERA while striking out 92 batters over 71.1 innings. He also logged two saves and limited opposing hitters to a .235 batting average. With swing-and-miss stuff and growing command, Gaeckle’s progression makes him a natural candidate to anchor the Razorbacks’ rotation.
Wiggins represents another high-ceiling arm for Arkansas, returning after a promising but abbreviated freshman campaign. The right-hander made 14 appearances out of the bullpen before a season-ending injury cut his year short. Despite the setback, Wiggins still finished with a 3.21 ERA, a 1–1 record, 20 strikeouts in 14 innings, and three saves. Now healthy, expectations continue to rise for the sophomore, who could transition into a weekend starting role if he maintains his health and form.
Behind the plate, Helfrick returns as one of the premier catchers in college baseball. As a sophomore, he started 56 games at catcher and played in 61 overall, delivering a dominant offensive season while remaining elite defensively. Helfrick slashed .305/.420/.616 with 15 home runs, 38 RBI, and 47 runs scored. He collected 58 hits, including 10 doubles and a team-leading two triples. Defensively, he was nearly flawless, committing just three errors in 629 chances. With his blend of power, patience, and defensive reliability, Helfrick enters his junior year with legitimate MLB Draft potential.
Kozeal rounds out the group as one of the most productive hitters Arkansas featured last season. In his first year as a Razorback, the utility infielder played 60 games with 55 starts split between first and second base. He slashed an impressive .333/.386/.606, blasting 15 home runs and driving in a team-high 62 runs while scoring 49 times. Kozeal totaled 77 hits, including 18 doubles, and consistently delivered in big moments. Though slightly undersized at 5-foot-10, Kozeal’s dense, powerful build, listed just over 200 pounds, fuels a compact swing that generates surprising pop.
With four preseason All-Americans spread across the pitching staff, infield, and behind the plate, Arkansas boasts one of the most complete preseason rosters in the country. The returning talent not only validates the Razorbacks’ top-10 preseason ranking but also sets the stage for a team with championship-level potential heading into the new season.