rJR RHP/OF Conor Costello (2015)
JR RHP Koda Glover (2015)
rSR LHP Tyler Nurdin (2015)
SR RHP Jon Perrin (2015)
JR LHP Alex Hackerott (2015)
SR LHP Michael Freeman (2015)
JR SS/2B Donnie Walton (2015)
JR 2B Kevin Bradley (2015)
JR 3B David Petrino (2015)
SR OF/2B Tim Arakawa (2015)
SR 3B Hunter Hagler (2015)
SR C Bryan Case (2015)
SR OF/C Gage Green (2015)
SO LHP Garrett Williams (2016)
SO RHP Tyler Buffett (2016)
SO RHP Blake Battenfield (2016)
SO RHP Thomas Hatch (2016)
SO RHP Remey Reed (2016)
SO RHP Trey Cobb (2016)
SO LHP Matt Wilson (2016)
SO OF Ryan Sluder (2016)
SO 3B Andrew Rosa (2016)
SO 1B/OF Dustin Williams (2016)
FR OF Jon Littell (2017)
FR 1B/OF Caleb Eldridge (2017)
FR SS Jacob Chappell (2017)
FR LHP/OF Garrett McCain (2017)
FR RHP Carson LaRue (2017)
FR 1B Mason O’Brien (2017)

I feel bad for saying it, but I didn’t expect to like the Oklahoma State lineup nearly as much as I do. Maybe it has something to do with the lull in bats to come out of the school in recent years. Their best pro hitter since the glory days of the 80’s (Ventura, Tettleton, Incaviglia, Burnitz) is…Luke Scott? Jordy Mercer? Part of it probably has me associating pitching with the program. Since I’ve started the site the Cowboys have had Andy Oliver, Tyler Blandford, Tyler Lyons, Chris Marlowe, Andrew Heaney, and Jason Hursh all go in the top ten rounds. Oliver, Heaney, and Hursh were all pretty big deals as prospects, too. Oklahoma State hasn’t had a bat in years that has grabbed me like any of those guys. In all honesty, this year isn’t any different, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a fun collection of potential pro hitters to talk about. JR SS/2B Donnie Walton is a more than capable defender with the speed and patience of a professional leadoff hitter. He’s one of my favorite mid-round 2015 college middle infielders. Though his lack of pop limits his ceiling, SR OF/2B Tim Arakawa has a carrying tool (speed) strong enough to get a second look this spring as a senior sign. There’s been lots of nice things said about JR 2B Kevin Bradley (coming off injury, but defensive versatility makes him intriguing if he hits), JR 3B David Petrino, and SR 3B Hunter Hagler. Hagler is my favorite of the trio right now (hasn’t shown it yet, but I believe in the hit tool), but all three could take steps forward this spring. SR C Bryan Case might also have enough of an arm strength/raw power blend to get drafted.

Associating pitching with the Oklahoma State program ultimately works out yet again this year as the Cowboys have a high number of high follows on staff. The theme here would be talented arms with plenty to prove. The poster boys for said theme are rJR RHP/OF Conor Costello and JR RHP Koda Glover. Costello has consistently shown more as a hitter than on the mound, but he’s still a high upside arm to watch. Athletic righties with size and velocity (low-90s, 95/96 peak) tend to be worth paying attention to, no matter the previous year’s production. Glover is another young guy with size (6-4, 200 pounds) and arm strength (95 peak) to track. rSR LHP Tyler Nurdin, SR RHP Jon Perrin, and JR LHP Alex Hackerott have all shown more at the college level. Nurdin’s control left him last year, but when he’s on he’s a capable three-pitch potential professional starter. Perrin, the most consistently reliable of the three, can spot a good low-90s fastball with darn near anybody in the conference. Hackerott has been arguably as good as Perrin in his career — the arguably is only there due to the innings gap between him and Perrin (the latter has a lot more) — while showing good enough stuff from the left side to warrant late-round pro consideration this summer. He probably fits in better as a 2016 senior sign candidate, but that remains to be seen.

Internal pressure to finish as many as these previews as possible before the season starts has me trying to limit what I say about future draft classes, but Oklahoma State’s group of underclassmen tests my ability to do so. The school’s strong reputation of turning out quality pitching is in very capable hands with guys like SO LHP Garrett Williams (star upside), SO RHP Blake Battenfield, and SO RHP Thomas Hatch poised to build on strong freshman seasons. I limited myself to just spotlighting those three names, but every underclass arm you see listed above has recognizable pro talent. SO 3B Andrew Rosa and FR SS Jason Chappell could combine at some point to share the nation’s fastest left side of the infield, if that’s the direction the coaching staff so chooses. SO OF Ryan Sluder (a huge favorite) and FR OF Jon Littell appear set to do so some serious mashing in short order. I’ve said it before, but for as much as I try to keep up with the college baseball landscape year-round, I’m often surprised to see certain teams’ rosters when they are all laid out like this. Just seeing all these names and getting the reminder that this kind of talent is in the pipeline at OK State has me more pumped for the upcoming season than ever before. This is a really good team right now with the potential to be great in the not too distant future.