Dominic Ficociello
Part 3 of a 4 part series previewing 2012 Arkansas basebal

From Corner to Corner - Hogs Infield is Solid

Dave Barr / dave@hogsportsradio.com

A very talented and deep pitching staff is definitely the calling card of this seasons edition of the Dave Van Horn's Razorback baseball team, but 1A is a very experienced, senior dominated infield.

Things start up the middle. The double-play combination of seniors Bo Bigham (.291 avg. with 17 stolen bases in 2011) at seond base and fellow fourth-year player Tim Carver (.232 avg. with 24 stolen basesin 2011) at shortstop give the Razorbacks a lot of leather behind the mound.

"With the new bats, defense is where it's at," Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said at media day. "Bo (Bigham) is disappointed that he wasn't drafted last season but instead of moping around he has been a more vocal leader in the clubhouse than he's ever been and is really doing a nice job of teaching the young guys what we expect."

Carver is one of the best defensive shortstops in the Southeastern Conference and along with Bigham sets the table offensively for the Hogs.

"Both Carver and Bigham do a nice job of taking pitches, being patient," Van Horn said. " They combined for almost 50-stolen bases last season. If Carver can hit closer to .300 this year, he could steal 30."

Dominic Ficociello was everything that was advertised. The lanky first baseman from Cailfornia slapped the ball all over the ballpark last season and had a great summer playing for team USA.

"When you look at Dominic you can see the muscle that he has put on since he arrived here," Van Horn said with a smile. " I know he still looks more like a basketball player than a baseball player but he is a natural hitter who will add to his extra base totals from last year (15-doubles, one triple and four homeruns). I think many times his defense gets over-looked. He is one of the best defensive first basemen not just in the SEC but in the country."

The Razorbacks were able to add some depth at first base this ofseason with the re-addition of big Derrick Bleeker who played 12-games at Arkansas as a freshman in 2010 before transferring to Howard Junior College. Last season, the 6-5, 225-pound native of Longmont, CO. hit .318 with four homeruns and 19 RBI.

The player in the infield with the most question marks has to be third sacker Matt Reynolds. Injury after injury have held back his progress as a Hog. Baseball America's John Manuel says that the junior from Tulsa, OK will be the most scrutinized by Major League Baseball scouts of all the Arkansas players this season because of the large amount of talent that has yet to be realized. Last season, Reynolds hit .243 and drew a team-high 32 walks.

"Matt had a great fall," Van Horn said. "Last season he was too patient at the plate. He took too many pitches. We need him to be more aggressive and along with Ficociello and Sam Bates in the middle of the our lineup give us some pop."

There are some names of very talented youngsters who will play a role this year and in seasons to come.

Junior college transfer Jacob Mahan is a guy who the Razorbacks want desperatley to get on the field at second base or as the Hogs designated hitter. The psychology major from Camarillo, CA hit .363. in 2010 and bettered that with a .402 bating average in 2011.

David Masters is another player who will make an impact this season according to Van Horn and will play second, short and third. The 50th round pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2011 hit the best of any freshman in fall camp at .300 and showed that he could handle big-time collegiate pitching.