Nate Allen

FAYETTEVILLE -  Kevin Kopps became the eighth of Coach Dave Van Horn’s 2021 SEC champion Razorbacks to sign a Major League baseball contract.

Kopps, the 12-1, 11-saves Razorbacks relief pitcher named college baseball’s most outstanding player by its two most prestigious awards,  the Golden Spikes and Dick Howser Awards, signed for $300,000 as the third-round draft choice of the San Diego Padres.

Razorbacks draft choices previously signed include center fielder Christian Franklin, Chicago Cubs; catcher Casey Opitz, Chicago Cubs; pitchers Caden Monke, Kansas City Royals; Lael Lockhart, Los Angeles Dodgers; and Ryan Costeiu, Los Angeles Angels, designated hitter Charlie Welch, Seattle Mariners and, as an undrafted free agent, designated hitter Matt Goodheart, Philadelphia Phillies.P