Baseball

Arkansas Loses 12 Players in 2026 MLB Draft, Led by Top Pick Ryder Helfrick

Signing bonuses highlight a draft that sent a dozen Razorbacks to the professional ranks

The 2026 MLB Draft has wrapped up, and Arkansas baseball saw a dozen of its prospects slip out of the college ranks and into professional contracts.

Junior catcher Ryder Helfrick headlined the haul, becoming the highest‑selected Razorback when the Arizona Diamondbacks took him with the 15th overall pick.

Two other first‑round selections followed: pitcher Carson Wiggins was chosen by the New York Mets and infielder Hunter Dietz by the New York Yankees.

Draft Impact

Arkansas led all college programs with three players placed in the top‑40, underscoring the depth of its talent pool.

The draft also claimed a handful of transfer‑portal commitments, including infielders Wills Maginnis and Ben Cleary and right‑hander Chris Diaz, who will now begin their professional journeys.

Signing bonuses ranged from the $5.24 million guaranteed to Helfrick up to multi‑million deals for Wiggins and Dietz, while several other picks still awaited their figures.

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