By Otis Kirk
FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas had a school record 12 players chosen in the 2026 Major League Baseball draft that was completed Sunday evening.
After leading the nation with three chosen in Round 1 and five on the first day, Arkansas saw seven more players selected on Sunday. In addition, three transfer recruits were drafted. Arkansas had no high school or junior college recruits drafted.
Round 5 got the action started on Sunday and it didn't take long for the Kansas City Royals to grab left-handed pitcher Ethan McElvain with the No. 151-overall pick. Other Razorbacks drafted on Sunday were outfielder Damian Ruiz, outfielder Kuhio Aloy, left-handed pitcher Colin Fisher, righty Tate McGuire, right hander Cooper Dossett and lefty Parker Coil.
Ruiz was taken by the Cincinnati Reds in Round 9, pick 272. Aloy, who can also serve as designated hitter went to the New York Mets in Round 11 and No. 330. Fisher was chosen by the San Francisco Giants in Round 13 with pick 388. McGuire went to the Los Angeles Angels in Round 14 with the 409-overall selection. Dossett is also headed to the Mets in Round 17 and pick No. 510. Coil goes to the Cleveland Guardians in Round 20 with pick No. 603. The Mets took three Razorbacks counting right-handed pitcher Carson Wiggins who they drafted on Saturday in Round 1.
The transfers chosen were Georgia State infielder Wills Maginnis in Round 11, No. 334, to the CIncinnati Reds. Santa Clara shortstop Ben Cleary also went in Round 11 with pick 363 to the Guardians. Florida Gulf Coast right-handed pitcher Chris Diaz was taken by the Seattle Mariners in Round 14 with pick 430. Though that was the only three players chosen it's also a trio the Razorbacks were hoping to get to campus for immediate help.
Maginnis is the older brother of Hayes Maginnis who has committed to Arkansas. Maginnis was outstanding at Georgia State. He hit .306 with eight home runs and 42 RBIs. Arkansas had thought he might make it through the draft and not get chosen. Drafted this high it will be very difficult to get him to campus.
Cleary is a solid shortstop who hit .358 at Santa Clara this past season. He doesn't have power, seven home runs in three seasons, but offers a steady player at shortstop.
The Hogs were hoping to insert Diaz into the rotation. He started his career at the University of Miami, but transferred to Florida Gulf Coast after one season. That is the same school that sent outfielder Charles Davalan to Arkansas.
McElvain was very effective with Arkansas. He appeared in 20 games with one start and that was in the SEC Tournament. McElvain was 6-0 in 38.1 innings with 55 strikeouts and only 13 walks while compiling a 1.88 ERA. He topped the Razorbacks with six saves.
Ruiz was one of the most consistent hitters at Arkansas this season. Ruiz was second on the team hitting .309. He added five home runs and 30 RBIs. Aloy, the younger brother of Wehiwa, hit .293 with nine home runs and knocked in 41 runs.
Fisher was 4-7 for Arkansas this season. He had an ERA of 5.59 with 16 appearances including 10 starts. He worked 56.1 innings striking out 58 while walking 17.
McGuire proved to be a steady pitcher for Arkansas down the stretch. He appeared in 21 games starting eight. He finished 1-1. In 49.0 innings, McGuire fanned 41 hitters and walked 14.
Dossett appeared in 16 games including a single start. His ERA was 6.88 with one save. In 17 innings, Dossett struck out 18 while walking a dozen.
Coil was 3-0 with an ERA of 3.99. He pitched in 27 games with one start. Coil had two saves out of the bullpen. In 47.1 innings, Coil struck out 58 and walked only 10.
That followed a first day that saw catcher Ryder Helfrick (15) go to the Arizona Diamondbacks, lefty Hunter Dietz (35) to the New York Yankees and Wiggins taken in Round 1. Right-handed pitcher Gabe Gaeckle to the Athletics in Round 2 (73) and shortstop Camden Kozeal in Round 3 (87) to Miami Marlins.
