Arkansas Razorbacks' Jack Wagner after Sunday's scrimmage on developing a bond with Tavian Josenberger and how he ended up picking the Hogs.
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00:00 >> [INAUDIBLE] >> Yeah, you're good.
00:02 >> So you got a hold of that one, feel pretty good to see one go out like that?
00:05 >> Yeah, yeah, it felt good to get a power count.
00:08 And just kind of sitting all over here and got a good pitch.
00:11 >> Did you get some bragging rights in the dugout that you were the only guy that
00:13 didn't use the wind for your home run?
00:15 >> [LAUGH] No, there was a few that were hit good today, but yeah,
00:19 that wind, the wind, when it blows out, they go, so good swings today.
00:22 >> [INAUDIBLE] >> Yeah,
00:27 it's always the ones that you can hit to the full side where you kind of lean back
00:31 on a little bit so I can be able to watch it.
00:33 May have flipped my back a little too high, but it's all good.
00:37 >> Left field, first base, DH,
00:39 are you kind of just prepared to play wherever they need you?
00:42 >> Yeah, I'm just kind of fully prepared to be whatever they need me to be.
00:45 If it's first, left field, maybe there's an injury, I gotta go wherever.
00:49 But being in college baseball so long, I've played all over, so
00:53 I'm comfortable at a good majority of the spots.
00:56 >> Defensively, do you feel like you're a better left fielder or
00:59 a better first baser, or does it really matter?
01:01 >> Yeah, I mean, I'd like to say probably first base is probably my advantage,
01:07 good splits and stretch over there.
01:09 So got good range there, but played a lot of outfield at KU too, so prepared for both.
01:14 >> Chiefs fan?
01:17 >> Chiefs fan, Red Kingdom, go Chiefs.
01:19 Got a big game today, hopefully Lamar doesn't run all over that defense.
01:23 >> [LAUGH] >> Seems like y'all got a lot of Chiefs
01:25 fans on y'all.
01:25 >> Yeah, we got a bunch of guys from that Kansas, Missouri area, so
01:28 I think we're gonna go hang out, watch the game.
01:31 >> Just as far as getting integrated with the program,
01:33 do you feel a little bit more comfortable around instead of the fall where you're
01:36 trying to prove yourself and establish yourself?
01:38 Do you feel like you've kind of proven you're one of the guys on this team?
01:41 >> Yeah, I mean, most definitely, I mean, the work never stops.
01:44 And that's kind of the approach we all have.
01:46 But yeah, coming to a new school in the fall, you're a little more antsy trying to
01:51 show what you can do every day, and you can get caught up with that.
01:54 But just playing my game and enjoying the time with the teammates,
01:57 I'm loving it here.
01:59 In the sixth year of college baseball,
02:01 I'm just trying to take advantage, soak it all in this last year, so.
02:05 >> You played a lot of big time baseball at KU.
02:07 As the season gets closer, have you just kind of given yourself a chance to
02:11 envision how the season might go, getting back to playing SSU baseball?
02:16 >> Yeah, I mean, I'm most definitely excited.
02:18 We all talk about it's the best time of the year,
02:21 the weather starts getting nice, people come out and play.
02:24 In this environment, it's crazy.
02:25 Every day I come out to practice, I'm still like, wow, every day.
02:29 So, but yeah, just the whole team working really hard, getting prepared.
02:34 These next couple weeks are crucial for us and
02:37 our development and really gluing together.
02:40 >> What do you like about this team so far?
02:43 >> I love all the guys.
02:44 I love how tight knit we are in the locker room.
02:47 We don't have really anybody seriously butt and head.
02:50 We all like to talk a little bit to each other.
02:53 But it's been a really good camaraderie and really good environment.
02:57 Playing for Coach Van Horn and Coach Thompson, Coach Wesson, it's been awesome.
03:02 >> Obviously, you'll see some pretty good pitching in the SEC.
03:03 How big have these practices been to kind of give you some confidence to know that
03:07 you can play at this level, you can hit against anyone?
03:09 But I assume you can hit these pitchers you can probably hit.
03:11 >> Yeah, yeah, no, it's been huge for me, honestly.
03:13 Cuz I mean, Big 12 pitching is really good, but
03:16 the depth of the SEC is a lot different.
03:20 Talking to Tavian, I played with him at KU.
03:21 So we've kind of had some conversations about it.
03:24 But it's been huge for, I think, me and all the hitters to see the depth of our
03:28 pitching staff and how good all those guys are.
03:31 And to get those reps and cracks is really, really important.
03:33 >> Did Tavian have a part at all of you coming here or did that kind of come?
03:38 >> Yeah, most definitely.
03:39 Tavian and me, we've been really close for a few years now.
03:41 And seeing him come here and have success and
03:45 told me everything about the environment, the coaches, the players.
03:47 So yeah, big part, he had a big part to do with it.
03:51 >> Yeah, thanks man.
03:52 >> Appreciate you.
03:52 >> Thanks so much.
03:53 >> Thank you guys, appreciate you.