The countdown to first pitch is on in Fayetteville, and once again, Arkansas baseball finds itself squarely in the national conversation. With the season approaching fast, the Razorbacks enter 2026 carrying both lofty expectations and unfinished business. Omaha is the goal. Anything less feels like a missed opportunity for a program that has grown accustomed to playing deep into June.
Cole Gibler Ready to Take the Next Step for the Razorbacks
Tabbed as a top 10 team in the nation in early preseason rankings, Arkansas has the roster depth, talent, and experience to make another legitimate run at the College World Series. But as is often the case in the SEC, the margin for error is razor thin. For the Hogs to break through again, they’ll need impact arms to step up, and few have generated more offseason buzz than left-handed sophomore pitcher Cole Gibler.
If you’ve been around Baum-Walker Stadium lately, you might hear the nickname of: “The Cole Train.” It’s a lofty moniker, one that naturally draws comparisons to Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole. Big expectations come with a nickname like that, but if the shoe fits, wear it, and Gibler seems more than willing to lace it up.
Gibler arrives at this season with momentum after an impressive freshman campaign that turned heads across the league. Used exclusively out of the bullpen in 2025, the Missouri native appeared in 20 games, posting a 3–2 record with a 3.99 ERA. His raw stuff immediately stood out. In just 29.1 innings of work, Gibler racked up 57 strikeouts, leading the team with a staggering 17.4 strikeouts per nine innings. Opposing hitters managed just a .221 batting average against him, a testament to how uncomfortable his left-handed delivery made life in the batter’s box.
In SEC play, he made seven appearances, going 1–1 with a 4.00 ERA while striking out 13 in nine innings against some of the best lineups in the country. He shined on the postseason stage, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings with four strikeouts in the SEC Tournament against No. 17 Ole Miss. In the NCAA Tournament, the lights didn’t faze him either, as he made three appearances, went 1–1, and struck out eight while allowing just three runs over 4.1 innings.
This season, however, represents a new chapter.
After being the No. 2 overall prospect in Missouri according to Perfect Game coming out of high school, Gibler now finds himself stepping into a much larger role. No longer just a high-octane bullpen weapon, the sophomore is expected to transition into the starting rotation, a move that signals just how much trust the Arkansas coaching staff has in his arm, poise, and preparation.
The shift from reliever to starter brings new challenges: pacing, pitch mix, command deep into games. His electric fastball remains the foundation, but continued development of secondary pitches and understanding of how to go through lineups multiple times could be the key to unlocking his full potential as a weekend starter in the SEC gauntlet.
For an Arkansas team with championship aspirations, Gibler’s growth could be pivotal. Elite teams need frontline pitching, and the Razorbacks know how important that is in order to help power them back to Omaha.
Expectations are high. The spotlight is bright. And in Fayetteville, all signs point to a season where the Razorbacks, and Cole Gibler, are ready to make some noise.