Arkansas added another first-rounder to the trophy case Saturday but this time it belonged to a catcher instead of a pitcher.
Ryder Helfrick heard his name called with the 15th overall pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The selection makes Helfrick the highest-drafted catcher in program history. He’s also the first backstop the Hogs have ever seen go off the board in the opening round.
Helfrick grew up in Discovery Bay, Calif., before landing in Fayetteville and turning into one of the top defensive catchers in the country.
His pick also stretches Arkansas’ run of first-round MLB Draft picks to three straight years. That kind of steady pipeline says a lot about how the Razorbacks develop talent behind the plate and on the mound.
Helfrick wasn’t the only catcher to hear his name early.
Georgia Tech’s Vann Lackey went third overall to the Minnesota Twins before Arizona snapped up Helfrick as the second catcher taken in the class.
Junior year numbers stood out
During his junior season Helfrick slashed .283/.417/.562 with 18 home runs and 53 RBI across 62 games.
He walked 55 times which tied his strikeout total and ranks fourth on the program’s single-season walks list.
His glove work turned heads just as much as his bat.
Helfrick led the nation in defensive runs saved at 27.00 along with framing runs saved at 24.49 and defensive wins above replacement at 1.99.
Over his full Arkansas career Helfrick finished with 36 home runs and 99 RBI while starting every game he played behind the plate.
Baseball America named him a Third Team All-American and he stood as a finalist for both the Golden Spikes Award and the Gold Glove Award.
Those honors reflect a player who did damage with his bat while shutting down opposing running games.
What comes next for Helfrick
The slot value tied to the 15th pick sits at $5,241,000 though Helfrick will likely sign for a bit less based on how recent college catchers have negotiated their bonuses.
Program history books will need an update either way.
Some records point to 1988 as the previous high-water mark for an Arkansas catcher taken in the draft while other references note a 2011 second-round selection as the prior benchmark.
Either way Helfrick now sits at the top.
Helfrick becomes the first Razorback player selected in this year’s MLB Draft. Rounds one through four wrapped up Saturday with rounds five through 20 continuing Sunday.
For a Hogs program that keeps churning out pro talent both on the mound and now behind the plate Helfrick’s selection adds a fresh chapter to an already deep track record.
Key takeaways
- Ryder Helfrick went 15th overall to the Arizona Diamondbacks making him the highest-drafted catcher in Arkansas history
- He’s the first Razorback catcher ever selected in the first round of the MLB Draft
- Helfrick led all of college baseball in defensive runs saved framing runs saved and defensive WAR
