Why Didn’t This Former Haughton Star Play In Arkansas’ First Game

When he was playing baseball at Haughton High School, Peyton Stovall was so good Major League Baseball teams were rumored to want to draft him. Not just draft him, but he was projected to be a first round MLB draft pick. Something that comes with "life changing money" as it was called. Which wasn't a stretch, because the spot he was projected to be taken came with a signing bonus around $2 million.

But Peyton Stovall didn't just get MLB draft projections, he had college teams offering him spots on their rosters. Including Arkansas, a team perpetually in the mix for SEC Championships and National Championships. It was the allure of winning those things that got Stovall to put the MLB Draft on hold to attend college.

As soon as he rolled up on the Razorbacks facility, he was one of their best players.

He came out swinging (literally) his Freshman year, hitting almost .300 and mashing bombs. That season, he started 51 games for the Razobacks. By his second year, he was named a Team Captain, and started all 38 games he appeared in. But a shoulder injury ended his Sophomore season.

There were some big expectations with Stovall this year. He was expected to be the leadoff hitter for the Razobacks, and hold down second base on the infield. So why didn't Stovall take the field for the opening series between Arkansas and James Madison?

Its because Stovall is injured again. But not the same injury that cost him part of his season last year. This time, its a freak injury that happened just before the season started.

Stovall was hit by a pitch during a scrimmage, and ended up breaking his foot. This injury will cost Stovall 4-6 weeks of his season. But if everything goes right, he can be back on the field by the time Arkansas starts SEC play.