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Right-hander Owen Kramkowski pinch-hit for UA coach Chip Hale, who was out of town, and handled himself like the pro he hopes to one day become.

In just a year’s time, Kramkowski has gone from a relative unknown to one of the faces of the program — a role he enthusiastically embraced while talking about his experience in the Mexican Baseball Fiesta and his emergence as a front-of-the-rotation starter.

After barely playing as a UA freshman, the Walden Grove High School product tied for the team lead with 18 starts this past season. He went 9-6 with a 90-18 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 92 innings to help the Wildcats reach the College World Series.

In a way, the MBF was a launch point. Kramkowski pitched an inning in last year’s event — a unique challenge for players who aren’t used to the raucous atmosphere of international baseball.

By the end of his sophomore season, Kramkowski would start in the Big 12 Tournament, an NCAA regional, a Super Regional and the College World Series.

“I think that’ll only make me a better baseball player because they're tough experiences,� Kramkowski said Monday. “I've had some of those not go my way. So being able to learn from those, what I can do to perform better in front of a crowd, or just calm myself down in front of a crowd — it's really important.

“And with the dream of hopefully one day playing in front of big crowds every single day, it's something you need to get used to and kind of embrace the challenges of it. If you can embrace them, it makes it fun again.�

Kramkowski’s breakout year continued with an invitation to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team training camp in Cary, North Carolina. Kramkowski and teammate Smith Bailey — who, as a true freshman, joined Kramkowski as a weekend-rotation regular — participated in the camp from June 29-July 3.

Neither made the team, but it was another opportunity to learn and grow.

“It was insane,� Kramkowski said. “Going from Omaha to that was probably the most fun summer of baseball, the most crazy experience I've had in my life.

“It was awesome being able to play with that talented of guys. It's not something you see every day, so I soaked in every moment.�

When Kramkowski returned to Tucson, Arizona had a new pitching coach. It was someone he and the returnees knew well: John DeRouin, who had served as Kevin Vance’s assistant the past two seasons.

“I love John,� Kramkowski said. “It's tough to see Vance go. I love that dude, as well. But he's got a great job at San Diego State now, so I'm happy for him to be close to home.

“I worked with John every day. He's been my guy, so I was excited for it. It'll be fun to work with him this year, just knowing the sky’s the limit with him. He knows me better than anyone else.�

Kramkowski believes DeRouin can take his game to an even higher level next year. If all goes according to plan, Kramkowski will hear his name called during the 2026 MLB Draft. Nine of his teammates were selected this year.

“You can’t think about it too much, but that's the dream,� Kramkowski said. “‘That could be me one day’ is always a thought. So just trying to work and make that a reality is ... how I take that. Hoping to be there one day and just keep working at it.�

Diggins to Hall

The UA announced that former two-way standout and All-American will be inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame.

Diggins played for the Wildcats in 1999 and 2000. Baseball America named Diggins a Freshman All-American in '99 and a first-team All-American in '00.

Diggins posted a 9-4 record with a 3.83 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 112⅔ innings for the '00 Wildcats. He also batted .336 with nine home runs and 34 RBIs in 122 at-bats.

The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Diggins in the first round of the 2000 MLB Draft. He appeared in five big-league games for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2002 and spent six years in all playing pro ball.

Pluta officially back

ÃÛÌÒÓ°ÏñAV officially announced that closer will return for his senior season.

Despite being named the NCBWA Stopper of the Year, Pluta was not selected in this year’s draft. He considered free-agent opportunities before electing to return to the UA for his senior season.

Pluta set the Arizona single-season record with 14 saves while posting a 3-0 record with a 1.46 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. He earned numerous individual accolades, including first-team Academic All-American.

Bonus time

Six of Arizona’s nine draft picks have signed contracts, according to and published reports.

Top pick Brendan Summerhill, the No. 42 overall selection, received a signing bonus of $2 million from the Tampa Bay Rays.

Salpointe Catholic High product Mason White, the 118th overall pick, got the full $642,200 slot value from the Boston Red Sox.

Rio Rico High grad Raul Garayzar, an 18th-round pick, got $100,000 from the Diamondbacks.

Outfielder Aaron Walton (Guardians), catcher Adonys Guzman (Pirates) and pitcher Michael Hilker Jr. (Twins) hadn’t signed as of Tuesday afternoon, but all three are expected to before the July 28 deadline.

Breyfogle’s bombs

UA outfielder Easton Breyfogle finished second in the .

Arkansas’ Kuhio Aloy edged Breyfogle in a battle that required a one-minute overtime.

Breyfogle, who will be a junior next season, has six home runs in 311 career at-bats at Arizona. He hit five in 172 at-bats this past season.