Turn the clock back to this time last year, and Arkansas second baseman Peyton Stovall was entering his sophomore campaign with justifiably-high expectations. After a few months of subpar play, it was revealed in May that he had suffered a season-ending labrum tear.
With a long and grueling rehab behind him, the former MLB Draft candidate is bringing a fresh and unique perspective to the Diamond Hogs' roster.
"You kind of have a different mindset when something’s taken from you for so long that you love to do," Stovall said on Monday. "For me, like baseball, I wasn’t really doing anything for eight or nine months. Just really grinding out rehab day in and day out and so it just brings another level of joy and passion to the game for me.
"That’s why I was so excited to be out here, was a little nervous. There was probably 150 people out here yesterday and I was like, ‘That’s a lot.’ And we’ve played in huge crowds before, so yeah it kind of lights more of a fire for me going into the season."
After not making a single batting appearance during fall baseball, Stovall received two at-bats in Monday's preseason scrimmage. He went 0-for-2, but some rustiness is to be expected after spending so much time away from the game.
"Kind of feels like first day jitters," Stovall said. "Just getting back on the field, we’ve been doing some live at-bats in the Fowler Center, but it’s just kind of not the same. Coming out here, even hitting BP on the field today was awesome.
"But just continuing to try to get back, seeing as much live pitching as I can before the season starts. That’s a big thing for me, still trying to get that comfortable feeling back in the box. It’s going to take some time, but it’s been awesome. Super grateful to be back out here."
The "best coach in the country and the best infielders coach" according to Stovall, head coach Dave Van Horn has the Louisiana native pegged as the most likely candidate to lead off for the Razorbacks in 2024.
"If we started tomorrow, that's probably who I would hit leadoff," Van Horn said on Thursday. "He can swing the bat extremely well, he's got a good eye, he's a lot stronger than he was last year at this time. Really seeing improvement of him driving the ball the other way. Getting Stovall back, man he’s been amazing. Again, fielding, accuracy of his arm has been great."
Stovall and the Diamond Hogs will take the field for the first time on Feb. 16, when Arkansas welcomes James Madison into Baum-Walker Stadium. The game is set for a 3 p.m. CT first pitch and will be the first of a four-game opening series.
