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

The 2023 MLB draft is just a couple of weeks away and college baseball programs around the country are preparing to lose talent off of their roster. Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn recently spoke with the media and was asked who he expects to lose to the draft and who might return for another season.

Van Horn opened by discussing 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.

While those three are likely to get drafted high enough to turn pro, there are multiple other players who are eligible for the draft who could come back to Arkansas for another season.

Van Horn was asked specifically about the futures of juniors Caleb Cali, Ben McLaughlin and Peyton Holt.

“The guys you mentioned, we want to keep those guys. Some of them are healing up, whether it’s a knee injury or back injury or whatever. But we feel like [Ben] McLaughlin and [Peyton] Holt, the guys that you mentioned, they’re going to be a big part of our team next year,” Van Horn said. “I think Holt is kind of like a utility guy, can play anywhere. And McLaughlin is a first baseman/DH type guy. I don’t foresee him pitching. And he’s trying to heal up. The knee’s still not there. He’s back here working out and so is Holt, trying to get ready for fall.”

Cali hit .308 with nine homers and 37 RBIs in 2023, while starting 46 of 61 games. Holt hit .392 in 31 games. He had a .489 on-base percentage, as well as four doubles, two triples, two home runs and 17 RBIs. He was also 6-for-6 on stolen base attempts. McLaughlin hit .346 in 28 games, while battling injuries. He added three doubles, two home runs and 14 RBIs.