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Franklin and Henry Become Razorbacks

December 10, 2015

Shon Plack
Missouri Scouting Director

The University of Arkansas picked up two players in the 2018 class from the Kansas City area last month, LHP/OF Liam Henry (Park Hill) and OF Christian Franklin (Rockhurst). Both players recently attended the Fall Underclass Games on Nov. 1.Christian Franklin

Henry, a 6-foot-2 160-pound lefty hitter and thrower that has high ceiling and took over the #1 rank in Missouri’s 2018 class, and is ranked #14 nationally.  Henry posted the top fastball velo, 85 mph, and had one of the top velos in the outfield at 79 mph.  He also ran one of the fastest 60 times at 6.87.  During game action, Henry tripled to right-center field.

Franklin is a 5-foot-11 165-pound right-handed hitter and is currently ranked #2 in Missouri and 29th nationally after his performance in the Fall Underclass Games.  He had the top 60 time at 6.56-seconds and threw 84 mph from the outfield, while registering 89 mph in exit velo. 

Both Henry and Franklin are quick twitch athletes with a bright future ahead of the.  And, both played for Building Champions-Jones last summer, when the recruiting process started to heat up. 

Henry stated, “This past summer and after I went on an unofficial to Missouri Sate I felt that my name was circling with colleges.”

Franklin mentioned going to Razorbacks before he got into high school. “My 13u and 14u coach Jason Caley is the nephew of the Arkansas baseball Coach, Dave Van Horn.  When I was younger, he took us down to the Arkansas games and introduced me to Coach Van Horn. This fall I began talking with the coaches and visited the university a couple of times”

Both players will begin their career together in Fayetteville during the fall of 2018, and with three years of high school baseball, the duo should be fun to watch. 

Franklin cited, “Committing to play baseball for the University of Arkansas,” as his most memorable baseball experience.  And Henry, who attended the Razorback’s camp in August mentions, “Just to be ready when opportunities appear.  Things can happen a lot faster than you think.”

The two class of 2018 standouts are preparing for what lies ahead with Coach Van Horn, who has six appearances in Omaha during his coaching tenure. 

“The feel of the team and coaching staff, is what I liked most about Arakansas. It felt like the perfect fit for both me and my family.  The facilities are second to none.” Says Henry.

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