Versatility holds key for Arkansas’ Lee

By Nate Allen

Special to the News-Times

FAYETTEVILLE - The last thing that time taxed to the max Arkansas Razorbacks pitcher-outfielder-DH Evan Lee seemed to need was another position.

But he’s got one.

“You are going to see Evan Lee playing some first base,” Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said going into this season starting with the Friday through Sunday series against Bucknell at Baum Stadium. “He’s worked out hard there.”

The sophomore from Bryant works hard everywhere and seems to perform well anywhere.

As a spot-used rookie lefty pitcher and left-handed reserve outfielder/pinch hitter, Lee helped last year’s 45-19 Hogs by hitting .333 in 42 at-bats including three doubles and eight RBIs.

As a pitcher, Lee struck out 17 in 15 innings, including crucial innings during the Fayetteville Regional and SEC games He recorded two saves and a 3.60 ERA.

“He’ll definitely pitch,” Van Horn said.

With an outfield appearing so intact that senior left fielder Luke Bonfield may open at DH, Van Horn believed he had to create another opportunity for Lee when he wasn't pitching.

“Once we got off the field last fall, we were just trying to get them all in the lineup,” Van Horn said. “He’s done a good job there (first base) and he might play some outfield. He’s a very good hitter. He’s a tough out and he runs hard, fast.”

If it takes literally getting to first base to be a regular, Lee is all for it.

“Coach Van Horn is just trying to play me anywhere he can to get me offensively into the game,” Lee said.

“I really appreciate that. I’m for doing anything I can to get in the game and help this team play. First base, outfield, DH, whatever he needs me to do and of course pitching along the way.”

Has he ever played first before?

“When I was nine years old,” Lee said. “That’s the last time I played first base. As I got older, I just progressed into the outfield. But first base, I’m a little natural there. Being left-handed, there are real advantages being a left-handed first baseman, coach Van Horn really likes that and wants to give me a shot there.”

Any major adjustments?

“Fielding-wise, there are some technical things I’ve got to get better at,” Lee said. “There are first baseman who have been there five or six years and have all that experience and footwork where I’m running on three months and figuring things out on the fly. So it will be an adjustment period, but I think I’ll be able to handle it.”

Nate Thompson, Van Horn’s new assistant who was hired from Missouri State, said Lee handles it well as he competes with returning first basemen Jared Gates and Jordan McFarland.

“I like him over there,” Thompson said.

“He has a lot of range and can cover a lot of ground. He’s been working hard at it and he’s pretty good at it for not playing it before. He’s made a few plays that grabbed our attention.”

Starting with Tim Lollar, the program’s first All-American as a designated hitter/pitcher in 1978 under retired coach Norm DeBriyn and recently with All-American pitcher/center fielder Brett Eibner also reaching the majors, Arkansas has a rich history of great two-way players.

Prior to his 2017 Razorbacks arrival, pitching coach and Sherwood native Wes Johnson had a history of coaching great two-way players at Mississippi State. He believes another great one may be developing at Arkansas.

“As far as Evan goes, we are really looking for this young man to have a breakout year,” Johnson said. “Not only at the plate, but on the mound.”

Lee admits there are times he’s working at first or hitting when he sees pitchers doing drills he believes he should be doing and vice-versa when he’s with the pitchers.

“It’s tough,” Johnson said. “That’s why it takes a special individual to be a two-way guy. You’ve got to be able to balance great time management. Obviously with school and everything else, you have to attack in a big-time way. Evan is doing it, handling it really well.”

Johnson said the onus is on him, Thompson and Van Horn to keep Lee in balance.

“For us, we have to make sure we give him time to rest,” Johnson said.

“Let his body recoup. But he’s doing really well.”

Thompson concurs.

“Exactly,” Thompson said. “Just try and not overwork him because he’s a guy that likes to work and he probably could overwork himself pretty easily if he didn’t have a plan about it. It’s hard in college baseball being a two-way athlete, but he’s a very good athlete doing a good job with it and making progress at both.”

Upcoming Events