Cowboy Baseball Season Preview

February 10, 2014 | Cowboy Baseball

Feb. 10, 2014

The second year of the Josh Holliday coaching era begins at Oklahoma State in 2014, and the Cowboys will look to build on a successful debut from the first former OSU player to serve as the program's head coach.

Six position starters return from last season's ball club, which finished 41-19 and advanced to the finals of the NCAA Louisville Regional, and seven pitchers who combined for 30 of the Cowboys' wins a year ago are also back.

That veteran group will be joined by 18 newcomers, and a recruiting class that has been ranked among the top five nationally.

Holliday said the roster of proven commodities and talented new faces have proven to be a nice fit during the preseason.

“The returning guys have provided that stability and leadership that is necessary,” Holliday said. “Any time you break in a large number of new players, it's important the returning guys provide them some leadership and guidance on how to conduct yourself both on the field and in the classroom. And our returning guys have done a great job to this point.

“Things like that give you an optimistic outlook about what you're capable of doing. When you see kids giving to the team, welcoming new guys and joining together, you feel great about the energy heading into the season.”

Highlighting the returners to the Cowboy lineup are senior Tanner Krietemeier, who led OSU with a .314 batting average a year ago, and All-Big 12 First Team outfielder Zach Fish, who delivered seven home runs, 41 RBIs and a team-leading .451 slugging percentage in 2013.

There are many other familiar faces that contributed to OSU's success last season. Outfielders Saulyer Saxon, a .301 hitter, and Gage Green return, as does infielder Donnie Walton, who was named to the 2013 Big 12 Conference All-Freshman Team.

“We return some good players from a year ago who were centerpieces to our success,” Holliday said. “We have depth and options off the bench that allow us to match up a little better than we did a year ago. We have ways to create offense whether it's the running game, the bunt game or just good old fashioned line them up and drive them in type of baseball.

“I hope we're dynamic and can score in many different ways and can build upon the success some of these kids saw last year.”

On the mound, the Cowboys return the bulk of a staff that turned in a 3.04 ERA a year ago, the lowest by an OSU group in four decades, and Holliday said the staff will have significantly more depth than a year ago.

Two-thirds of OSU's weekend starting rotation return in junior southpaw Tyler Nurdin and senior righty Mark Robinette, a duo that combined for 11 wins and 27 starts in their first Division I seasons.

And in the bullpen, the Cowboys bring back seniors Vince Wheeland, an All-Big 12 First Team performer who was 8-2 with two saves and a 1.97 ERA last season, and closer Brendan McCurry, who racked up eight saves and six wins a year ago.

Also returning are Jon Perrin and Alex Hackerott, as well as a wealth of young arms, with as many as seven freshman who could play valuable roles on the bump.

“Anytime you can bring back some guys that have experience and success at this level and add to that some talented newcomers that we think have very bright futures, that gives you a nice nucleus on the mound to work with,” Holliday said. “I'm looking forward to seeing guys grow and build on last year's success, and I'm really excited to see what the first-year guys can do. There are some talented newcomers on the mound that we think can jump right in and help.”

With the pieces in place to build on last season's 41-win campaign, which also saw the Cowboys finish second in the Big 12 standings, Holliday is optimistic that OSU can continue its climb back to national prominence.

“You know what you're going to get out of them in terms of effort and personality and add to that some good newcomers, I think we have the ability to create a quality mix both on the mound and through the lineup,” Holliday said. “At this stage, you feel good going in, but you know the exciting part is what lies ahead. How do guys respond when given an opportunity? How do they handle success and how do you handle the challenges?”

“Our depth is better, and our talent level is good; it will be really important that we maximize each day and get better as the season goes, much like we did a year ago,” Holliday said. “Our team really took a big step forward in March going in to conference play, and we'll need to see that continued growth in this club.”

Here is a breakdown by position of the 2014 OSU Cowboys.

CATCHER

The Cowboys will look to replace All-Big 12 catcher Victor Romero, and a pair of newcomers are vying for that starting role.

Junior Bryan Case arrived in Stillwater from the JUCO ranks and in the fall displayed the defense, toughness and rapport with the pitching staff to vault to the top of the list, while Holliday said freshman Robie Rojas has matured and shown significant improvement and is in the mix behind the plate.

Junior Gage Green has experience behind the dish, while Holliday experimented with junior Zach Fish at the position during the fall. Both players, along with senior Heath Holliday, bring depth to the position.

FIRST BASE

Returning to man first base for the Cowboys is senior Tanner Krietemeier, an All-Big 12 performer a year ago and OSU's leading hitter. The switch hitter batted .314 with four home runs and a team-high 45 RBIs, driving in many of those runs when the Cowboys needed them most.

“Tanner is a clutch player, a tough player, a team-oriented player, all the things you're looking for on the diamond, especially in the middle of the batting order,” Holliday said. “He's a rock, a guy that you can build around.”

Working in the mix at first base are a trio of newcomers. Freshman Garrett Williams and sophomore Conor Costello are two-way players who could see action at first when not on the mound, while frosh Dustin Williams brings a powerful left-handed bat to the table.

SECOND BASE

One of the Cowboys' top newcomers in the preseason has proven to be junior college transfer Tim Arakawa, who will start the season as OSU's second baseman and likely leadoff hitter.

“Tim is a high-end offensive player with top-of-the-order skills,” Holliday said. “He's a worker, he's a grinder – he's all the things a player like him needs to be. We're very encouraged by what he's done and think he'll be an exceptional addition to our team.”

Donnie Walton, who manned second a year ago but has moved to shortstop could move back if necessary, while newcomers Andrew Rosa and Hayden Cronenbold are also in the mix.

SHORTSTOP

Donnie Walton earned All-Big 12 honorable mention accolades and was also named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team a year ago after hitting .287 and setting a school record with 18 sacrifice hits. This season, a healthier, stronger, Walton will transition to shortstop, where he starred as a prep.

“Donnie was an extremely good baseball player a year ago, and he's gotten nothing but better,” Holliday said. “He's a winner; you know what you're getting everyday and that's a really important quality to have at shortstop.”

Behind Walton, senior Craig McConaughy gained valuable experience last season, while the versatile Andrew Rosa could also factor in at the position.

THIRD BASE

The competition at the hot corner is ongoing, with Holliday and his staff still evaluating and watching them grow. The good news is, Holliday is confident in a trio of players being able to contribute at the spot.

Hunter Hagler was a two-time all-conference performer at Panola Junior College who led his team in several offensive categories as a sophomore. Veteran Craig McConaughy returns as a versatile option, while Andrew Rosa brings an athletic presence to the position.

“They all bring something very positive to the lineup – whether it's defense, offense or a combination of the two. But it's a position I'm confident we'll fill,” Holliday said.

OUTFIELD

The Cowboys' outfield depth should be a strength in 2014 as OSU returns a veteran group of six players that started games in the outfield last season.

Zach Fish returns for his third season in right field. A year ago, the junior earned All-Big 12 First Team honors after hitting .283 and leading the Cowboys in homers (7) and slugging percentage (.451).

“Zach is a better player this year – he's worked hard,” Holliday said. “He's a definite middle-of-the-order hitter and much improved defensively. With the work he's put in I think he's going to have a fine year for us.”

In center field, Holliday likes a couple of options. Sophomore Corey Hassel played in 33 games a year ago and “has made huge step forward,” according to Holliday.

“Corey's work ethic and increased skill level have really shown up, and he brings a toughness and competitiveness to the field,” Holliday said.

Freshman Ryan Sluder is a player Holliday said will play a big part in this season and in the future. He's a tremendous blend of speed and strength and capable athletically of playing all three outfield spots.

Junior Gage Green spent the majority of his time in left field a year ago but is another player that could fill any of the three outfield spots. Green hit .287 with a team-high 13 stolen bases in 2013 and is someone Holliday calls “a winning player who seems to show up big when the games are biggest.”

In seniors Saulyer Saxon and Aaron Cornell, the Cowboys have a pair of outfielders who understand their roles and bring strong bunting and base running skills to the table. Saxon hit .301 in 53 games last season and was an honorable mention All-Big 12 pick, while Cornell was a .280 hitter and was 12-of-12 on stolen base attempts.

DESIGNATED HITTER

The Cowboys' designated hitter role could be filled by a number of players. Any of the outfielders not in the field could see action there, while freshman Garrett Williams is another option.

Sophomore Conor Costello is yet another two-way player whose bat may land him a spot in the lineup.

“Conor displayed a real feel for hitting in the fall — he's a pure hitter, a middle-of-the-order type with size, power and speed,” Holliday said.

•••

Pitching was a strength for the Cowboys a year ago, and the majority of that staff returns in 2014 as hurlers who combined for 65 percent of the innings pitched a year ago are back.

STARTING PITCHERS

Holliday said the completion for innings on the OSU staff will be strong, with a number of veterans and newcomers vying to emerge in crucial roles.

One of the aces of the staff is expected to be junior Tyler Nurdin. The southpaw's 5-3 record a year ago included three wins in Big 12 play, and he finished the year with a 1.89 ERA and a pair of complete games.

“Tyler had some strong games down the stretch last year and proved he can go out on any day and beat anybody,” Holliday said.

Also returning is senior Mark Robinette, who emerged as a weekend starter last season and was 6-1 with a 3.58 ERA.

Junior Jon Perrin saw an expanded role include 23 appearances last season, and he responded with a 4-0 record and 3.23 ERA. Holliday said the righty has made a significant step forward and is capable of big innings in 2014.

A trio of freshmen have made early impressions in Stillwater, and each are battling for spots in the starting rotation. Both Garrett Williams and Thomas Hatch turned down professional baseball to join the Cowboys, while Tyler Buffett was a prep All-American.

And in Conor Costello, the Cowboys have a player who Holliday dubs “the wild card.” The right-hander spent last year as a redshirt while he rehabbed from Tommy John surgery and has three quality pitches.

“Conor's ceiling is very, very high. He could make a huge impact on how this pitching staff takes shape,” Holliday said.

RELIEF PITCHERS

The Cowboy bullpen will be anchored by a pair of senior right-handers who played starring roles a year ago.

Vince Wheeland proved to be one of the nation's top relievers as a junior. The All-Big 12 First Team honoree made 30 appearances, the second most in a single season in program history, and was 8-2 with two saves and a 1.97 ERA.

“Vinny is just a valuable guy to have,” Holliday said. “He can pitch in a lot of different roles, but he's really found a niche in coming out of the bullpen and getting through the batting order once and sometimes twice in the middle innings and getting us from the starter to the closer. He really provides some stability to our pitching plan.”

Closer Brendan McCurry racked up eight saves and a 6-3 record to go along with a 2.72 ERA, and Holliday said his stuff is even better entering his senior campaign.

“All good teams have someone who can get the last out, and Brendan has shown that he's able to do that,” Holliday said. “I think he can do that more consistently this year than even a year ago.”

Adding depth to the bullpen are a number of players. Sophomore Alex Hackerott could be used as a starter or go-to reliever who is capable of delivering two or three innings multiple times in a week. Fellow southpaw Kyle Bagnell also returns, while righties Reed Bastie and Nick Dolsky will battle for innings.

Several newcomers will also factor heavily in the bullpen. Freshmen Matt Wilson, Trey Cobb, Blake Battenfield and Sloan Dieter bring talented arms to the mound, and JUCO transfer Michael Freeman adds a 6-foot-8, left-handed presence on the bump.