Redshirt senior Razorback Shaddy wins at waiting game

NWA Democrat-Gazette/Ben Goff NOT DONE YET: Arkansas redshirt senior second baseman Carson Shaddy slides in safe at third base on a hit in the second inning against Southern Mississippi Saturday during the Fayetteville Regional at Baum Stadium. Shaddy was picked in the 10th round of the Major League Baseball Draft Tuesday by the Washington Nationals.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/Ben Goff NOT DONE YET: Arkansas redshirt senior second baseman Carson Shaddy slides in safe at third base on a hit in the second inning against Southern Mississippi Saturday during the Fayetteville Regional at Baum Stadium. Shaddy was picked in the 10th round of the Major League Baseball Draft Tuesday by the Washington Nationals.

FAYETTEVILLE -- They say "good things come to those who wait."

Carson Shaddy proves that "they" are right.

Undrafted last year as a fourth-year junior, the Arkansas redshirt senior second baseman and Business Ariculture grad from Fayetteville easily could have deemed it time to start his post-baseball career.

Instead, he waited it out, giving baseball with the Razorbacks one last shot.

Now, he and the Razorbacks (42-18) are hosting a super regional against South Carolina (36-24) starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Baum Stadium with the winning team advancing to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

And regardless whether his collegiate career ends Sunday or Monday at Baum up to a national championship in Omaha, Shaddy's baseball career will not end there.

The fifth-year senior went from undrafted last year to being chosen in the 10th round by the Washington Nationals off a career year, hitting .331 with career highs in home runs with 11 and RBIs with 43.

Shaddy smiled when he was asked if it was worth the wait.

"Yeah, it was definitely worth the wait," Shaddy said. "All the heartache I went through last year -- and a little bit the year before -- it's turned out great. When I saw my name, I lost control. I couldn't even see straight I was so happy. God's blessed me to be a part of this team and the position we're in right now, it's all worth it."

Especially the all in the family pride, following in the pro ball footsteps of his father, Chris, who was the Razorbacks' shortstop in 1982 when Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn was second baseman for retired coach Norm DeBriyn. Chris was ultimately an eighth-round draft choice for the Toronto Blue Jays.

"The senior signing thing, the money deal isn't really the issue," Carson Shaddy said. "I just really wanted to go top 10 rounds, so I can tell my kids some day that I did that. Getting to go the back end of the 10th was a little buzzer-beater, but I was so excited. It's all worth it. I was ecstatic."

So was his family.

"There for a second I was talking to my dad, and he was like, 'You might be going the 33rd pick of the 8th round' (the spot that Chris Shaddy was drafted)," Carson said. "It would have been cool if we were the same pick ... My dad was really excited and my mom was really excited. My fiancé. Everybody. So it was a good day."

An even better day realizing all that Carson has weathered.

"He's had a lot better year than he had last year," Van Horn said. "He's been very consistent all year. He's been a special player for us."

Shaddy has struggled through injuries, including a nearly broken hand earlier this season, slumps and position switches. Catcher, outfield, third base and second base all had Carson's hand upon them in the past.

But it's been all second base the last two years. Shaddy returned after learning second base last year as somewhat of a defensive detriment into forming the Southeastern Conference's leading double play combination with junior shortstop Jax Biggers.

"You know, I'm fine with whatever the coaches tell me to do," Shaddy said of being moved around. "But being able to just focus on second base the last couple of years has helped me defensively and -- this year, especially. It's taken a lot of weight off my shoulders because I know how to play second base."

Van Horn said Shaddy's second year at second naturally improved, but was accelerated by Shaddy's effort.

"It was just a learning process for him throughout the year last year," Van Horn said. "Learning how to just instinctively cover the bag, be at the right spot on relays and turning the double play was probably the main thing, making good flips and pivots to the shortstop. Just being a leader in the middle of the field. This year it's come easy to him. He plays it like he's been playing there forever."

Shaddy had to handle something else he never thought he would have to handle after hitting .337, .331 and .279 after redshirting as a freshman. Under new hitting coach Nate Thompson, Shaddy, since midseason mostly batting sixth or fifth, began this season batting ninth.

Arkansas added SEC Freshman of the Year left fielder Heston Kjerstad and All-SEC freshman infielder Casey Martin to an already hard-hitting lineup.

"I think I left my ego at home after last year," Shaddy said. "I sought out a lot of advice from other guys like Benny (former Razorbacks Golden Spikes Award winner and current Boston Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi).

"A brand new coach comes in here, and you're a 22-year-old kid, sometimes it's easy just to say, 'Oh, he doesn't know what he's talking about.' But I just really wanted to focus on what coach Thompson has taught me and take it to my game. He's a huge part of how my success has been this year."

Sports on 06/08/2018

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