Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Baseball Announces 2002-03 Recruiting Class
July 24, 2002 | Cowboy Baseball
July 24, 2002
Oklahoma State baseball announced the addition of 15 newcomers to the Cowboy baseball team for the 2002-03 season.
Of the 15, 10 come to Stillwater via the junior college ranks as the OSU coaching staff looked to quickly replace the loss of 10 members from last year's team to the professional baseball ranks.
"I think we addressed many of our needs heading into next season with a focus on power hitters and quality lefthanded pitchers," said head coach Tom Holliday. "I believe that many of the guys will be able to step in and contribute to the 2002-03 team."
| NAME | POS | HT | WT | B/T | CL | (HIGH SCHOOL/LAST SCHOOL) |
| Lonnie Coleman | OF | 6-1 | 185 | R/R | JR | (Skyline JC) |
| Thomas Cowley | LHP | 6-3 | 180 | L/L | FR | Fenton, Mo. (St. John Vianney HS) |
| Adam Dye | LHP | 5-9 | 180 | L/L | JR | Broken Arrow, OK (Broken Arrow HS/Cowley County CC) |
| Spencer Grogan | LHP | 6-4 | 220 | L/L | SO | Cantonment, Fla. (Tate HS/Oklaloosa Walton CC) |
| Chris Gutierrez | SS | 5-11 | 175 | R/R | FR | Orlando, Fla. (William R. Boone HS) |
| Scott Kirby | OF | 6-1 | 205 | R/R | JR | San Mateo, Calif. (Marin Catholic HS/San Mateo JC) |
| Mario Matulich | C | 6-3 | 205 | R/R | JR | Mineola, N.Y. (Chaminade HS/Manatee CC) |
| Brett McDonald | OF/LHP | 5-10 | 180 | L/L | FR | Yukon, Okla. (Yukon HS) |
| Tommy Nutt | INF | 6-1 | 180 | L/L | FR | Prospect, Ky. (Trinity HS) |
| Ryan Olivo | INF/OF | 6-2 | 180 | L/R | SO | Grapevine, TX (Grapevine HS/Grayson CC) |
| Justin Ottman | LHP | 6-5 | 200 | L/L | JR | Garnerville, N.Y. (Rockland CC) |
| Colby Overstreet | 1B/OF | 6-5 | 200 | L/R | FR | Midland, Texas (Midland HS) |
| Lyndsey Simmons | C/OF | 6-0 | 190 | L/R | JR | Smithtown, N.Y. (Smithtown HS/El Camino CC) |
| Jeff Tuttle | OF | 6-4 | 195 | R/R | JR | Orange, Calif. (Villa Park HS/Cypress College) |
| John Urick | 1B/LHP | 6-3 | 210 | L/L | JR | Blue Springs, Mo. (Blue Springs HS/Cowley County CC) |
INSIDE THE RECRUITING CLASS
Lonnie Coleman
Coleman missed the 2002 season due to a shoulder injury at Skyline JC. Coaches describe him as a great athlete who has hitting potential provided he can stay healthy. ?We look forward to getting Lonnie healthy and getting him caught up in repetitions. He is a very determined young man who is willing to pay the price to be a success.?
Thomas Cowley
Cowley is described as a young power pitcher with unlimited potential. He posted a 1.45 ERA in his junior year of high school.
Adam Dye
Dye originally signed with Oral Roberts out of Broken Arrow High School in 2000. He played the 2001 season with the Golden Eagles before transferring to Cowley County Community College in 2002. A lefty specialist, Dye struck out 18 batters in 16.2 innings for Cowley.
Spencer Grogan
Grogan was a 19th round draft choice of the San Diego Padres in 2002 and is a highly touted lefthander that knows how to pitch according to the coaching staff. ?Spencer has very high goals for himself and we intend on helping him reach those. He should solidify our pitching staff as he adds to a very talented group of pitchers.? Grogan chose Oklahoma State over Tennessee, South Alabama and several other schools in the south.
Chris Gutierrez
Gutierrez comes to Oklahoma State from the same high school in Orlando (William R. Boone HS) that current volunteer coach and former Cowboy standout Jason Bell graduated from. Gutierrez hit .403 with nine doubles, three homers and 20 RBIs with 19 stolen bases in 20 attempts as a senior. He made only one error at shortstop all season and was named all-metro, all-county and all-state. He played on the USA Youth National Team in 2000 and 2001. He was a four-year starter on the varsity and led the team in hitting in three of his four seasons. Gutierrez was recently invited to the prestigious USA Baseball Tournament of Stars in Joplin, Mo. ?Chris is an outstanding all-around person who exemplified what a student-athlete should be. He is personable and intelligent and we feel he can be a great player in this program..? He chose Oklahoma State over Florida, Tennessee, Central Florida and New Orleans.
Scott Kirby
Kirby won the Northern California Big Stick Award with 24 homers for the College of San Mateo last season. He hit .311 with 11 doubles and 71 RBIs as well was named to the Northern California All-American team. Kirby was named the North Coast Conference MVP and led the state junior colleges in home runs. He has a hard-nosed approach to the game and helped lead San Mateo to the California State Championship. Professional teams showed interest in drafting Kirby but shied away when told of his firm commitment to Oklahoma State. ?We are very excited about the season Scott had. His coach raved about the way he played and led his team to the state finals.? He chose the Cowboys over Washington State, Santa Clara and several other west coast schools.
Mario Matulich
Matulich his .372 with 23 doubles, eight triples, five homers and 65 RBIs for Manatee CC last year. He was named a first team all-academic selection in Florida. Matulich played an integral role in Manatee?s runner-up showing at the National Junior College World Series in Grand Junction, Colo. He was named second-team All-Suncoast Conference and played both catcher and first base. ?Mario loves the game and plays with a passion. He is a very good catcher with a plus throwing arm. He also swings a very solid bat and should team up with Jason Jaramillo to give us one of the best catching tandem around.? Matulich chose Oklahoma State over Alabama and UNC Charlotte.
Brett McDonald
McDonald is a speedy outfielder in the mold of recent Cowboys Jimbo McAuliff and Toby Rhodes. He was selected to the all-state baseball game to be played at Drillers Stadium on July 31. He was named to the All-Big City team after hitting .395 with five homers and 22 RBIs and was a honorable mention all-state selection.
Tommy Nutt
Nutt is described as a prospect with a good bat who has future potential at short or third. Tommy has helped lead Trinity to a 22-9 record as a Jr, currently hitting .333 (21-63), with 16 R, 2 2B, 5 BB, only 6 SO, 14 RBI, 43 assists, .529 OB%, quick feet, excellent glove, charges well. Line-drive gap hitter, very good range, strong arm.
Ryan Olivo
Olivo spent his freshman year at Grayson Community College after originally signing with the University of Texas out of Grapevine High School in 2001. He was a 41st round draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays after his senior year in 2001. ?Ryan is a good athlete who can play both infield and outfield. He should provide the Cowboys with a dangerous left-handed bat which should really help our 2003 club.?
Justin Ottman
Ottman is a two-time draft selection (40th- Seattle in 2000; 39th- Florida in 2001) who went 9-1 last year with a 1.75 ERA at Rockland CC. He is described by the coaches as a projectable LHP with a lot of potential. He has a mid-to upper 80?s fastball with a changeup and curveball. ?Justin will be fun to work with. He has a loose arm and a lot of upside potential. He comes from a very close family and wants to come to OSU to get better and compete. We think he can be a very great addition to our staff.? Justin chose OSU over West Virginia, South Florida, Stetson, Seton Hall and Rutgers.
Colby Overstreet
Overstreet is a spring signee who impressed the OSU staff by attending camp on two different occasions (fall and winter). He is a big, strong athlete who projects as a power hitter down the road. ?Colby has really had a good senior year and summer. He has improved his skills through our camps and his confidence has really grown as a result. He will be one of our freshman who we hope to develop.? Overstreet chose OSU over Missouri and Kansas State.
Lyndsey Simmons
Simmons hit .407 with eight doubles and 31 RBIs at El Camino CC last season. He was a first team All-South Coast Conference selection and is a versatile athlete who spent time in the outfield and behind the plate. He has a line drive stroke and tremendous work habits. ?We think Lyndsey can provide our team with versatility and a proven hitter. In addition to his physical ability, he is a guy with a great attitude who is a throwback to the guys we have had around here in the past.? He chose the Cowboys over Arizona.
Jeff Tuttle
Tuttle hit .346 with 16 homers and 46 RBIs last season for Cypress College. He played with former Cowboy Daylon Monette in 2001. He was drafted by the New York Yankees in 2001 after hitting 17 homers but went back for his sophomore season at Cypress. He brings a powerful bat and strong hitters mentality to the Cowboy program. ?Jeff has a chance to be an impact hitter. He has strength and power that should make the middle of our order very dangerous.? He chose OSU over South Carolina, Hawaii and Cal State Fullerton.
John Urick
Urick was named a first-team NJCAA All-American after batting .400 with 20 homers and 73 RBIs, while also sporting a 4-1 record on the mound with a 3.10 ERA for Cowley County. He was a key player in the team?s successful run to the National Junior College World Series in 2001 when he batted .384 with 14 round-trippers. ?John is one of the best junior college hitters in the country and we are excited that he has chosen to become a Cowboy.? Urick was drafted in the 19th round of the 2001 amateur baseball draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers and chose Oklahoma State over Arkansas, Alabama and Michigan.
