Could the Washington Nationals draft one of the Arkansas Razorbacks rising stars?

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - MAY 31: Arkansas Razorbacks catcher Ryder Helfrick (27) makes a throw to second base during the NCAA Division I Regional baseball game between the Creighton Blue Jays and Arkansas Razorbacks on May 31, 2025, at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Andy Altenburger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images I would be quite surprised if the Washington Nationals do not have a heavy scouting presence in Fayetteville, Arkansas right now. There are two Arkansas Razorbacks players that could be in play for the Nats with their 11th pick in this upcoming draft.

Those would be pitcher Hunter Dietz and catcher Ryder Helfrick. The pair has arguably been the best battery in the SEC, and both are jumping up draft boards this season. They have both been big time performers in the SEC, and both play positions that the Nats need badly.

I am going to breakdown their skills, and talk about which one would be a better fit for the Nats. Let’s start with Helfrick. If you have watched any Nats games this season, you would know that the catching position has been a problem.

Keibert Ruiz and Drew Millas have both been total liabilities at the plate. The Nats traded for Harry Ford, but he has been awful in Triple-A this year. It is clear that the Nats still need to be searching for their catcher of the future.