Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Baseball Signs Strong Class From Oklahoma
December 09, 2013 | Cowboy Baseball
Dec. 9, 2013
STILLWATER, Okla. - Josh Holliday and his staff have made it a priority to sign the top players in the state of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State's second-year head coach feels like they have done just that for the Cowboys' 2015 incoming class.
The class includes seven prep stars from Oklahoma, with five of those ranked among the state's top seven prospects in the class of 2014 by Perfect Game. Among the group of future Cowboys is Jon Littell, Perfect Game's top-ranked player in Oklahoma and its 29th-best prospect nationally. Littell participated in the prestigious Perfect Game All-American Classic last August in San Diego.
"This group of Oklahoma players is extremely talented and come from winning programs," Holliday said. "It was a point of emphasis for our staff when we were hired to aggressively recruit the state of Oklahoma. We feel like this group is a reflection not only of the talent in our state but the quality of the coaching and the quality of the programs that have been built by the high school coaches across Oklahoma.
"A strong foundation for championship teams starts with players that want to be in your program, and we're really excited that the great players in our state have identified Oklahoma State as a place where they can go and develop as people, as students and as players. These guys want to be Cowboys!"
OSU assistant coaches Marty Lees, who coordinates the Cowboys' recruiting efforts, and Rob Walton played a huge role in landing the homegrown talent, Holliday said.
"Marty (Lees) and Rob (Walton) did an amazing job of identifying these players early, getting them to campus and building relationships with them and their families," Holliday said. "Once on campus, our entire staff, including volunteer assistant Roland Fanning, and people throughout the athletic department made these families feel welcome. We're very grateful for their efforts. The academic staff, strength-and-conditioning staff, athletic administration and coaches of the other sports were so willing to meet and greet these young men and share their passion for our university.
"We're really proud of this group, and we will continue to build relationships with coaches across the state with the hope that the best players will choose to be Cowboys."
Jacob Chappell, INF, 6-0, 160, R/R, Guthrie, Okla. (Guthrie HS) OSU recruiting coordinator Marty Lees on Chappell: "I have been fortunate to coach some very good infielders over the years. Jacob has a chance to be as good as any of them. Jacob is very athletic with above-average speed. I think he can play shortstop at this level. Scouts have compared him to a Jordy Mercer. He plays very hard and gives us exactly what we're looking for in an infielder here at Oklahoma State." |
Caleb Eldridge, 1B/OF, 6-3, 220, L/L, Edmond, Okla. (Deer Creek HS) Lees on Eldridge: "He's a big, athletic left-handed hitter who we think can play first base or corner outfield. Caleb provides the power we want in this program. We believe Caleb will be able to hit in the middle of the order and be a run producer for us. Coach Holliday is excited about getting left-handed bats, and Caleb provides that." |
Carson LaRue, RHP, 6-2, 175, R/R, Dewey, Okla. (Dewey HS) Lees on LaRue: "Carson has continued to get better and better every time we see him. He has command of three pitches. He's skilled and has pitched in numerous big games. We think he's going to get stronger, throw harder and have a chance to be a very good pitcher here at Oklahoma State." |
Jon Littell, OF, 6-4, 195, R/R, Stillwater, Okla. (Stillwater HS) Lees on Littell: "Jon was the first commitment we got in this class. He wanted to be a Cowboy! He is one of the best players in the country. Jon has shown ability to hit and hit for power. He's a very, very good athlete who will play in the outfield for us. His energy, attitude, and work ethic will allow him to compete immediately in this program." |
Mason O'Brien, 1B, 6-0, 210, L/L, Owasso, Okla. (Owasso HS) Lees on O'Brien: "We're as excited about Mason as we are anybody. He provides that left-handed power bat we want. We project Mason will be able to hit in the middle of our order and play first base. Mason has a tremendous passion to hit! He comes from a strong family background of baseball players. He's a winner and will bring that work ethic to campus." |
Reid Wall, RHP, 6-3, 190, R/R, Ada, Okla. (Byng HS) Lees on Wall: "Reid is very athletic -- he plays shortstop when he's not pitching. He has an arm angle that adds deception with velocity and being as athletic as he is, he can pitch anywhere in the game." |
Nick White, RHP, 6-3, 205, R/R, Tulsa, Okla. (Berryhill HS) Lees on White: "Nick has a chance to be a power arm with two plus pitches. We like his competitiveness, his attitude, his toughness and his athleticism." |
| Oklahoma State Baseball - Class of 2014 Oklahoma Signees | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | Ht./Wt. | B/T | Hometown (Current School/Previous School/High School) |
| Jacob Chappell | INF | 6-0/160 | R/R | Guthrie, Okla. (Guthrie HS) |
| Caleb Eldridge | 1B/OF | 6-3/220 | L/L | Edmond, Okla. (Deer Creek HS) |
| Carson LaRue | RHP | 6-2/175 | R/R | Dewey, Okla. (Dewey HS) |
| Jon Littell | OF | 6-4/195 | R/R | Stillwater, Okla. (Stillwater HS) |
| Mason O'Brien | 1B | 6-0/210 | L/L | Owasso, Okla. (Owasso HS) |
| Reid Wall | RHP | 6-3/190 | R/R | Ada, Okla. (Byng HS) |
| Nick White | RHP | 6-3/205 | R/R | Tulsa, Okla. (Berryhill HS) |
