There is a picture from the 1980s in the Arkansas baseball media guide that shows former coach Norm DeBriyn with four former Razorbacks in their major league uniforms.
From left to right, the players are Ronn Reynolds (New York Mets), Kevin McReynolds (San Diego Padres), Tim Lollar (Boston Red Sox) and Johnny Ray (Pittsburgh Pirates). McReynolds, a two-time All-American at Arkansas, was the best of the bunch with 211 home runs and 807 RBI while playing 12 years in the majors.
Perhaps Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn and pitching coach Dave Jorn can get some current major leaguers who wore the Razorback uniform together for an updated photo. If so, they’ll need a bigger lens.
Former Arkansas players have done quite well in the big leagues this season, starting with Houston Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel (17-7, 2.22 ERA), a leading contender for the prestigious Cy Young award.
Keuchel came to Arkansas from Tulsa, where he wasn’t highly recruited. But Jorn remembers Keuchel as a polished pitcher who progressed quickly as he matured and gained strength in college.
“Dallas was very smooth and he had good instincts on the mound,” Jorn said of Keuchel, who lost 3-2 to the Los Angeles Angels on Friday. “He had a great feel for the ball coming out of his hand and he could locate it pretty much where he wanted. He’s always had the ability and his confidence has to be skyhigh right now with what he’s been able to do.”
Mike Bolsinger came to Arkansas from Grayson Community College in Texas after he originally signed with Texas Tech. Bolsinger was a free spirit who needed to grow up to realize his full potential in baseball.
After being traded from Arizona, Bolsinger is back in the majors with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he’s 6-3 with a 2.97 ERA.
“Mike had the ability, but he needed to find some direction in his life,” Jorn said. “I knew his better days were ahead if he continued to mature and he’s done that. He told me he’s found the Lord and that’s really helped.”
Tampa Bay is home for two former Razorbacks, infielder Logan Forsythe and pitcher Drew Smyly. Forsythe is having a breakout season after being mostly a platoon player for San Diego and Tampa Bay, which acquired him in a trade. He’s a candidate for the Rays’ Most Valuable Player award after making a successful transition from third base to second base.
Forsythe was selected as the Player of the Week in the American League after he hit .545 in six games. For the season, the former Razorback from Memphis is hitting.287 with 16 home runs and 58 RBI.
Rookie catcher James McCann is a rare bright spot for the Detroit Tigers, who are floundering at the bottom of the American League Central Division standings. Detroit fans love the spunk McCann showed when he confronted a Tiger veteran in the dugout for lack of effort on the field. McCann has yet to make an error behind the plate and he’s contributed offensively with seven home runs and 36 RBI while carrying a .270 batting average.
“It’s fun being able to face Keuchel with the Astros, and Smyly with the Rays,” McCann told the Detroit News after he hit a single and two-run home run off Smyly last week. “I’m sure we’ll be able to talk for many years about the success and failure of each of us.”
There are some other players in the high minors who could soon join the former Razorbacks in the big leagues. Brett Eibner (Kansas City Royals) had a breakout year at Triple-A Omaha, where he hit .303 with 19 home runs and 81 RBI. Matt Reynolds (New York Mets), Zack Cox (Miami Marlins), and Andy Wilkins (Baltimore Orioles), who was traded three times this season, each had some success this season at Triple-A.
On the mound, former Razorbacks Ryne Stanek (Tampa Bay), Barrett Astin (Cincinnati Reds) and D.J. Baxendale (Minnesota Twins) are trending upward after solid seasons in Double-A.
“Ryne has the best arm and power on his pitches,” Jorn said. “Barrett has the best overall package of the three, I think, and D.J. is such a student of the game and a competitive kid. I think all three of them can make it.”
Rick Fires can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWARick.