Arnold poised to dominate in 2021

One game. Six innings. That was the entire body of work for Aaron Arnold last spring for Bentonville West as a sophomore. Covid-19 shelved the remainder of his season.

Some would consider that a huge downer, particularly if they’re trying to showcase their skills to college coaches.

Instead of dwelling on what he couldn’t do, Arnold focused on what he could do and that meant more time in the weight room.

“I think that really helped in a way,” Arnold said. “We were so aggravated that the season was taken from us, that I just took it out in the weight room. I just started working out so much harder. Just having that taken away from us has made us all work harder and appreciate this more. It just made me feel like I really had to

prove myself.”

At a showcase event in Kansas City, Arnold (6-1, 185) caught the attention of college coaches when he was popping the catchers’ mitt at 91 miles per hour. University Arkansas coaches certainly noticed, and an offer from his hometown team came shortly after.

“That was the craziest feeling ever,” said Arnold, who committed to the Razorbacks in July. “Arkansas is my dream school. It was really surreal, I can’t put it into words.”

Arnold’s only appearance last season for West came against North Little Rock.

Wolverines coach Chip Durham said the junior righthander will be the anchor for his team’s staff this spring.

“We’ve got him locked in to be our main guy,” said Durham. “To have a guy who has a chance to pitch at SEC level is a big weapon.”

When he’s not on the pitcher’s mound, Arnold will see time at first base and designated hitter, said Durham.

In the past, Arnold played at third base, but his coach said he wanted to cut down on the long throws from across the diamond.

“After he throws 85 pitches, I don’t want to put more stress on his arm throwing from third base to first,” said Durham. “So we’ll be smart about it and still be able to have his bat in the lineup by moving him to first and using him as a DH.”

Arnold knows when he gets to Arkansas, his days as a hitter will be over. But he plans to do as much damage at the plate in the next two high school seasons as he can.

Playing in raucous Baum Stadium is also something Arnold said he is looking forward to. Razorback crowds are among the best in the Southeastern Conference and Arnold said he is eager to be in the middle of the bedlam.

“Man, just to play in that stadium in front of the best fans in the SEC, it’s just going to be a dream come true,” he said. “I can’t wait to be a Razorback.”

Arnold