FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Three Arkansas baseball players will be headed to Japan after being named to the 2025 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team on Friday.
Right-hander Gabe Gaeckle, lefty Cole Gibler, and catcher Ryder Helfrick were the Razorbacks selected.
The final 26-man Team USA roster features top collegiate players from across the country who will compete in the 45th USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series, a storied event dating back to 1972.
The series, running July 8-13 at locations across Japan, represents a pinnacle of amateur baseball, pitting the United States’ brightest college stars against their Japanese counterparts.
The Hogs now boast 27 all-time selections to the Collegiate National Team. Gaeckle joins Ryne Stanek, now with the New York Mets, as the only two-time Team USA picks in program history.
“After a very competitive Stars versus Stripes series, we are excited to announce the 26 players who will represent the United States on international soil,” said Eric Campbell, of USA Baseball. “We are confident that the roster assembled will represent our country well, and we look forward to making the trip back to Japan for the first time since 2019 and continuing this long-standing series.”
Gaeckle stands out not just for his repeat selection, but for the way he’s become a linchpin in the Razorbacks’ pitching rotation.
“The opportunity to wear ‘USA’ across your chest is something you don’t take lightly,” Gaeckle said after the announcement. “It’s about representing your school, your family, and the game itself.”
Helfrick, the sophomore catcher, brings a blend of defensive acumen and offensive spark, while Gibler, the southpaw, has made a habit of baffling hitters with his command and late movement.
Arkansas has long been a pipeline for Major League talent and national recognition, a tradition that stretches back to Ron Reynolds’ selection in 1979.
Since then, alumni like Jeff King, Nick Schmidt, Logan Forsythe, and Heston Kjerstad have also played in the series.
The USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series has grown into one of the sport’s most significant international showcases.
Team USA leads the series all-time, but the games are often close and highly contested.
“The talent across college baseball this year has been nothing short of fantastic,” Campbell added. “It was a challenge to trim the roster down, but that’s a testament to the depth we have at every position.”
The Razorback trio’s journey to Team USA began at the Collegiate National Team Training Camp, where players endured a Stars vs. Stripes series. That’s essentially a five-game intra-squad playoff, watched closely by pro scouts and national team staff.
For infielder Cam Kozeal, the experience ended in disappointment, as he was the lone Arkansas invitee not to make the final cut.
Team USA’s 2025 squad features standouts from programs across the country, including Eric Becker (Virginia), Drew Burress (Georgia Tech), and Jason DeCaro (North Carolina). The roster is managed by Andy Stankiewicz, whose coaching staff brings decades of experience to the dugout.
The trip to Japan offers more than just baseball. Players are expected to serve as cultural ambassadors, engaging with fans and local communities.
For many, it’s their first taste of international play, a crucible that often shapes the next wave of big-league stars.
“It’s a chance to see a different style of baseball, to learn and to grow,” said Helfrick. “You see how much the game means to people everywhere, and it reminds you why you started playing in the first place.”
Coach Dave Van Horn, who’s sent numerous players to Team USA over his tenure, called the selections “an honor for our program and a testament to the hard work these guys put in all year.”
The hope, as always, is that the experience will ripple forward, inspiring the next generation of Arkansas players to aim for an even higher ceiling.
The series can be streamed live on USABaseball.TV, with games available both as live broadcasts and on demand.
