Dave Van Horn says he would love to see Hunter Hollan return to Arkansas

Now that the college baseball season has wrapped up and a champion has been crowned, teams across the country are preparing for players to decide what is the next step in their careers. For the Arkansas Razorbacks, one of their stars from last season, left-handed pitcher Hunter Hollan, is likely on his way to the pros. However, recently the Razorbacks lefty hinted at the possibility of returning to the program in 2024.

Hollan’s comments have Arkansas baseball fans crossing their fingers on him reuniting with head coach Dave Van Horn for another deep postseason run and possibly a College World Series championship. And recently, the Razorback skipper addressed the remarks from his one-time ace pitcher.

“Well, if that’s what he said. I would love to have him back. Let’s just leave it at that,” said Van Horn. “I figure someone’s going to sign him, but I would love to have him back.”

Hollan, a junior college transfer from San Jacinto College, spent one season in Fayetteville, AR, with the Razorbacks. In 2023, Hollan played in 17 games, starting in 15, earning a record of 8-2. The six-foot-five Hallsville, TX, native finished the year with a 4.13 ERA, allowing 41 runs on 82 hits with 37 earned runs and 13 home runs. Hollan faced 352 batters, walking 29 of them and striking out 74 in 80.2 innings of work.

The Razorbacks’ left-handed pitcher proved himself as one of the big arms in their bullpen. If he decides to head to the major leagues, Van Horn will celebrate his player’s accomplishment. But the Arkansas skipper won’t complain if Hollan chooses to return to the program for one more season.

Van Horn previews who Arkansas could lose in the 2023 MLB Draft

Van Horn also discussed a few more Arkansas players who are likely on the way out.

“I think the obvious ones that are going to be pretty good picks are [Tavian] Josenberger and [Jared] Wegner,” Van Horn said. “Obviously Josenberger could come back. Wegner has used his eligibility. [Jace] Bohrofen, he could come back as well.”

Josenberger hit .286 this past season and had a .414 on-base percentage. The outfielder has a solid combination of power and speed as he hit 10 home runs and also stole a team-high 13 bases.

Wegner was second on the Razorbacks team with a .313 average, while blasting 15 home runs with 51 RBIs.

Bohrofen led the Razorbacks with a .318 average. He also hit a team-high 16 home runs and drove in 52 runs.