Arkansas’ Ryder Helfrick, a member of the 2025 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, is not only America’s catcher but one of the nation's best catchers.
The Razorback superstar is slashing .294/.439/.578 with a team-high 15 home runs and 45 RBI while leading the Hogs in runs scored (48), walks (51) and OPS (1.017) through 48 games. The Discovery Bay, Calif., native, who has 14 multi-hit games and 15 multi-RBI games on the year, is the first Arkansas catcher in program history with multiple 15-homer seasons in his career.
Behind the dish, Helfrick is college baseball’s best defender at the most important position on the field. As of May 6, he leads the country in defensive runs saved (20.15), catcher framing runs (17.93) and defensive wins above replacement (1.48).
A Preseason All-American by Baseball America, D1Baseball and NCBWA entering the campaign, Helfrick is on the watch lists for the Baseball America College Player of the Year Award, Bobby Bragan National Collegiate Slugger Award and Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award.