​Arkansas infielder Camden Kozeal heard his name called by the Miami Marlins with the 87th overall pick in the third round of the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday, July 11. His selection marked the fifth Razorbacks draft pick of the weekend. The slot value for the 40th pick is projected at $929,700. The Nebraska native just completed his junior season in Fayetteville, where he led the Razorbacks in several key offensive categories. Kozeal topped the team with 20 home runs, 71 RBIs, 59 runs scored, a .318 batting average, and an OPS of 1.063 while appearing at shortstop for Arkansas in 2026.
Across two seasons with the Razorbacks, Kozeal has clubbed 35 home runs, a mark that ties him for ninth on Arkansas’ all-time list. He played a pivotal role in helping Arkansas advance to the 2025 College World Series, a run that brought him to his hometown of Omaha for the tournament. He began that season as a reserve infielder but quickly forced his way into the lineup, ultimately recording 30 starts at first base and 25 at second base.
Kozeal’s frame is compact at 5-foot-10 and 205 pounds, and he bats left-handed with enough power to be a threat. Baseball America notes that his uphill swing produces hard contact and elevates the ball, contributing to why Kozeal emerged as Arkansas’ most consistent home run threat over the past two seasons.
One potential concern for Kozeal is his chase rate against pitchers with elite velocity. In 2026, he struck out 30 times and drew only 12 walks, batting .234 against SEC arms, though he did lead Arkansas with nine home runs in conference play. Defensively, Kozeal showed versatility throughout his time with the Razorbacks, but head coach Dave Van Horn has consistently indicated that the pro game will likely move him to second base at the next level. He isn’t known for elite athleticism, with average speed and arm strength, yet his high baseball IQ and solid footwork make him a reliable defender, and he did not prove to be a liability when 테ployed at shortstop during his 2026 season.
For additional context, Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball, and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at jfuller@usatodayco.com or followed on X (formerly Twitter) at @jacksonfuller16. This synthesis draws on coverage originally published by the Fort Smith Times Record, focusing on what Camden Kozeal brings to the Miami Marlins organization in the wake of the 2026 MLB Draft.