Hogs make career decisions

Arkansas' Jacob Nesbit (5) prepares to bat against Tennessee in the ninth inning of an NCAA college baseball championship game during the Southeastern Conference tournament Sunday, May 30, 2021, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Arkansas' Jacob Nesbit (5) prepares to bat against Tennessee in the ninth inning of an NCAA college baseball championship game during the Southeastern Conference tournament Sunday, May 30, 2021, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

FAYETTEVILLE -- Two multiyear starters said Wednesday they won't return to the Arkansas baseball team for the 2022 season.

Matt Goodheart has signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, and infielder Jacob Nesbit said he will transition to a graduate assistant role within the Razorbacks' athletics department.

"There was a lot of emotion going on," Goodheart said after a game he played Tuesday with the Orleans Firebirds in the Cape Cod League. "I was disappointed, obviously, that I didn't get to hear my name called; there's no way around that.

"All I was looking for was a chance, you know, and I was hoping someone was going to give me a chance, no matter how it came about. Fortunately I got the call right after [batting practice], and I was ready to do it, ready to go."

Undrafted free agents can sign for up to $20,000.

Goodheart, of Magnolia, transferred to Arkansas prior to the 2019 season from San Jacinto (Texas) College. He had a career batting average of .303 with the Razorbacks, hit 20 home runs and 98 RBI.

He was a second-team All-SEC selection in 2019 and voted first-team All-SEC this year as a designated hitter and utility player.

Nesbit thanked the baseball program in a Twitter post "for a great 4 years, memories I'll never forget and most importantly relationships I'll cherish forever."

Nesbit was Arkansas' everyday third baseman as a redshirt freshman in 2019 and 2020, but relinquished the starting job this year after an early-season position battle with Cullen Smith. Nesbit played in 118 games and started 96 times.

Also Wednesday, Brenden Dixon -- a Weatherford (Texas) College infielder who committed to Arkansas in March -- said he plans to turn pro after being drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 20th round.

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