Look up and down the Diamond Hogs' projected lineup, and there's one player that stands out as Arkansas' everyday spark plug: third baseman Peyton Holt.
A native of Greenwood, Holt made the most of his 31 late-season game appearances in 2023 by slashing .392/.489/.581 with four doubles, two triples, two home runs and 17 RBIs in 74 at-bats. He believes his new mindset will allow him to play more freely next season.
"Last year, it was fighting to get playing time, stepping up when I needed to," Holt said on Monday. "This year, I mean no one is guaranteed a spot but I’m just playing loose, playing my game. It’s going to be a fun group to play with. I’m excited, we have a lot of good guys, so I’m excited to get going."
Holt finished the 2023 season with a 10-game hit streak before getting shutout in Arkansas' season-ending loss to TCU, but the utility infielder is ready to take another step forward and bring the energy day in and day out for the Razorbacks.
"Those days when there’s not a lot of energy going around, just being that guy that gets the group going," Holt said when asked what being a spark plug means. "Playing with energy, but not playing with too much emotion where you get out of wack. I think I’m one of the guys that can do that. Just being one of the guys that gets everyone going and playing my game."
During Arkansas' fifth spring preseason scrimmage on Monday, Holt finished with a game-high four RBIs and perfect 2-for-2 batting line. The right-handed slugger also added a monster 415-foot left field bomb to capitalize an impressive performance.
"It felt really good," Holt said. "I’ve got to give credit to the two guys in front of me, though. We got two quick outs and they had some unreal ABs that led to walks and worked the pitcher down. He just left a pitch for me to hit and we’ve been working on hitting off-speed a lot and it just played into my approach."
It can be tough to predict where each player will be in the lineup, but Holt will have plenty of chances to make an impact no matter where he's slotted for the Diamond Hogs.
"We have one of the best lineups I’ve ever seen, so wherever I’m at I’m just going to do what I need to do to help the team win," Holt said. "We don’t really talk about where guys are going to hit, you just kind of know. So if I’m in the 5-7 hole, I’m just going to do what I can. I got good guys around me that pitchers… It’s a dangerous lineup."
First pitch of the 2024 season is just 10 days away, and fans all around the Natural State are clamoring for some action. Holt shares the same sentiment, especially after only playing his teammates for the last few months.
"Oh yeah, I mean, we’re getting right into the groove," Holt said. "It’s coming up quick. I think we’re at, what, 11 days now? I think we’re ready. Everyone’s looking really good, so we’re ready to get going."
Arkansas will open the season against James Madison on Feb. 16 at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville. The game is set to begin at 3 p.m. CT and will stream on the SEC Network Plus.
