Oklahoma State University Athletics
Costello And Walton To Return For Cowboys In 2016
July 24, 2015 | Cowboy Baseball
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State standouts Donnie Walton and Conor Costello have bypassed professional baseball careers and will return to Stillwater for their senior seasons.
Both Walton and Costello were selected in June's Major League Baseball Draft, with the Milwaukee Brewers taking Walton in the 23rd round and Costello being picked by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 38th round, but the duo chose not to sign pro contracts and is currently playing in the prestigious Cape Cod League. The final day for amateur draft picks to sign was July 17.
"It's a dream come true to get drafted but talking to my family and friends, it was the best decision and opportunity for me to come back to OSU — that team is my family and it's great to have the chance to put back on the orange and black again," Walton said. "Over the last three years, I've not only become a good player but a better person, and I've learned a lot on and off the field. Coming to OSU was the best thing to happen to me. It's a family, and I couldn't be more excited for the chance to give it one more ride with the team I love."
Costello echoed his teammates sentiments about his OSU experience and desire to play another season for the Cowboys.
"OSU has taught me a lot, not just about being a baseball but being a man, and that's something I'm happy about and ready to come back to those coaches and teammates," Costello said. "It's one last chance to take care of unfinished business, and I'm really excited.
"Coming back is only going to make me better, working with Rob (Walton) from a pitching standpoint and fine-tuning things and then working with Josh (Holliday) offensively — it's exciting to learn from those guys and grow as a player."
For Oklahoma State head coach Josh Holliday and his program, the return of two of its top stars is a major coup. Walton and Costello have been key cogs in helping the Cowboys make runs at Big 12 Conference titles the last two years — winning one in 2014 and finishing as runner-up last season — as well as hosting NCAA Regionals in 2014 and 2015.
Holliday said Walton and Costello spurning pro ball is "big time for Oklahoma State baseball."
"In addition to being great players, (Walton and Costello) have become great leaders," Holliday said. "Players like that make such a difference in the locker room with how they affect others. They are a constant reminder of what our standards look like in action. Both players are winners and both take a tremendous amount of pride in playing here. Their return provides great leadership and talent to this year's team.
"Those types of players coming back for their senior year are the greatest recruits you could ever get because they bring not only an understanding of Oklahoma State baseball but a strong, strong understanding of winning baseball having played on three NCAA postseason teams. They bring a winning pedigree that strengthens our team immensely.
"Add to that the enjoyment our coaching staff has had with these guys and their development, to have another year with them and watch them grow as baseball players and see them graduate and finish out their college experience is something we're thrilled to have the opportunity to do."
Costello has spent two seasons in an OSU uniform, playing in 108 games and slugging 15 home runs and 17 doubles while collecting 62 RBIs.
Despite primarily playing outfielder and designated hitter for the Cowboys, Costello has made nine appearances on the mound for OSU and was drafted as a pitcher by the Pirates. He showed promise in limited action as a junior, going 2-0 with a save and a 1.67 ERA in seven outings, including six starts. In an NCAA Regional elimination game against St. John's, he worked seven scoreless innings and allowed only four hits.
Costello expects to expand his pitching duties in his final collegiate season and is excited to continue to learn from OSU pitching guru Rob Walton.
"I see myself being a pitcher down the road, but I'll do whatever I can to help the team," Costello said. "Hopefully, I'll get to start on the mound and get more experience and do what I can to just better myself as a pitcher.
"Learning from Rob is huge. I consider him the best pitching coach in the country, and I don't think there are many who would disagree with me."
Said Holliday, "Conor has overcome a tremendous number of injuries and has continued to fight back. He's shown that when healthy he has a chance to be really special on the mound, and he's a guy that has hit in the middle of our batting order for two seasons. We're getting another guy who I feel is on the verge of a breakout season and who is much more mature and ready to put everything together."
Walton has enjoyed three standout seasons in an OSU uniform. In 160 career games, he's hitting .306 with eight homers, 30 doubles and 92 RBIs, and he is the Cowboys' career leader with 52 sacrifice bunts. A three-time All-Big 12 performer, he earned first-team honors each of the last two seasons.
Despite missing 19 games during his junior campaign due to surgery to remove his hamate bone, Walton hit .326 with four homers and 29 RBIs as the Cowboys' everyday shortstop.
"(Walton is) the premier shortstop in the Big 12 and one of the best shortstops in the country," Holliday said. "He's having an amazing summer in the Cape Cod League, and he's a player that just continues to grow every year. Last year bouncing back from the hamate injury and really having a great last 20 games shows you what kind of baseball player he is and how tough he is and really what a gamer he is.
"I really look forward to seeing what he can do with an entire healthy season under his belt, and I think he'll be one of the best players in the country as a senior."
Walton said having an injury-free season to continue his development under the OSU coaching staff is something he looks forward to in 2016.
"The number one deal is to stay healthy for a whole season and that gives me a chance to get better working with Josh and our coaches," Walton said. "They've already helped me so much, but I know they can help make me even better."
The return of Walton and Costello gives the Cowboys a strong core of five seniors for the 2016 season as they join outfielder Corey Hassel, infielder David Petrino and pitcher Alex Hackerott. Seniors have enjoyed a strong track record of success under Holliday in his first three seasons at the helm, with nine of them being drafted by Major League Baseball, including five in 2015. Pitchers Brendan McCurry and Michael Freeman both earned consensus All-America honors as seniors, while Freeman took home Big 12 Pitcher of the Year accolades in his final collegiate season.
"We'll have another very good, solid senior class this season with five guys to build around," Holliday said. "Along with (Costello and Walton), Corey Hassel is a guy who has done nothing but give from day one here and last year proved to be an extremely valuable player, David Petrino will look to build on a junior year in which he contributed and Alex Hackerott hopes to bounce back and be more in line with the Alex Hackerott we had in years one and two where he was extremely effective coming out of our bullpen."
Both Walton and Costello were selected in June's Major League Baseball Draft, with the Milwaukee Brewers taking Walton in the 23rd round and Costello being picked by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 38th round, but the duo chose not to sign pro contracts and is currently playing in the prestigious Cape Cod League. The final day for amateur draft picks to sign was July 17.
"It's a dream come true to get drafted but talking to my family and friends, it was the best decision and opportunity for me to come back to OSU — that team is my family and it's great to have the chance to put back on the orange and black again," Walton said. "Over the last three years, I've not only become a good player but a better person, and I've learned a lot on and off the field. Coming to OSU was the best thing to happen to me. It's a family, and I couldn't be more excited for the chance to give it one more ride with the team I love."
Costello echoed his teammates sentiments about his OSU experience and desire to play another season for the Cowboys.
"OSU has taught me a lot, not just about being a baseball but being a man, and that's something I'm happy about and ready to come back to those coaches and teammates," Costello said. "It's one last chance to take care of unfinished business, and I'm really excited.
"Coming back is only going to make me better, working with Rob (Walton) from a pitching standpoint and fine-tuning things and then working with Josh (Holliday) offensively — it's exciting to learn from those guys and grow as a player."
For Oklahoma State head coach Josh Holliday and his program, the return of two of its top stars is a major coup. Walton and Costello have been key cogs in helping the Cowboys make runs at Big 12 Conference titles the last two years — winning one in 2014 and finishing as runner-up last season — as well as hosting NCAA Regionals in 2014 and 2015.
Holliday said Walton and Costello spurning pro ball is "big time for Oklahoma State baseball."
"In addition to being great players, (Walton and Costello) have become great leaders," Holliday said. "Players like that make such a difference in the locker room with how they affect others. They are a constant reminder of what our standards look like in action. Both players are winners and both take a tremendous amount of pride in playing here. Their return provides great leadership and talent to this year's team.
"Those types of players coming back for their senior year are the greatest recruits you could ever get because they bring not only an understanding of Oklahoma State baseball but a strong, strong understanding of winning baseball having played on three NCAA postseason teams. They bring a winning pedigree that strengthens our team immensely.
"Add to that the enjoyment our coaching staff has had with these guys and their development, to have another year with them and watch them grow as baseball players and see them graduate and finish out their college experience is something we're thrilled to have the opportunity to do."
Costello has spent two seasons in an OSU uniform, playing in 108 games and slugging 15 home runs and 17 doubles while collecting 62 RBIs.
Despite primarily playing outfielder and designated hitter for the Cowboys, Costello has made nine appearances on the mound for OSU and was drafted as a pitcher by the Pirates. He showed promise in limited action as a junior, going 2-0 with a save and a 1.67 ERA in seven outings, including six starts. In an NCAA Regional elimination game against St. John's, he worked seven scoreless innings and allowed only four hits.
Costello expects to expand his pitching duties in his final collegiate season and is excited to continue to learn from OSU pitching guru Rob Walton.
"I see myself being a pitcher down the road, but I'll do whatever I can to help the team," Costello said. "Hopefully, I'll get to start on the mound and get more experience and do what I can to just better myself as a pitcher.
"Learning from Rob is huge. I consider him the best pitching coach in the country, and I don't think there are many who would disagree with me."
Said Holliday, "Conor has overcome a tremendous number of injuries and has continued to fight back. He's shown that when healthy he has a chance to be really special on the mound, and he's a guy that has hit in the middle of our batting order for two seasons. We're getting another guy who I feel is on the verge of a breakout season and who is much more mature and ready to put everything together."
Walton has enjoyed three standout seasons in an OSU uniform. In 160 career games, he's hitting .306 with eight homers, 30 doubles and 92 RBIs, and he is the Cowboys' career leader with 52 sacrifice bunts. A three-time All-Big 12 performer, he earned first-team honors each of the last two seasons.
Despite missing 19 games during his junior campaign due to surgery to remove his hamate bone, Walton hit .326 with four homers and 29 RBIs as the Cowboys' everyday shortstop.
"(Walton is) the premier shortstop in the Big 12 and one of the best shortstops in the country," Holliday said. "He's having an amazing summer in the Cape Cod League, and he's a player that just continues to grow every year. Last year bouncing back from the hamate injury and really having a great last 20 games shows you what kind of baseball player he is and how tough he is and really what a gamer he is.
"I really look forward to seeing what he can do with an entire healthy season under his belt, and I think he'll be one of the best players in the country as a senior."
Walton said having an injury-free season to continue his development under the OSU coaching staff is something he looks forward to in 2016.
"The number one deal is to stay healthy for a whole season and that gives me a chance to get better working with Josh and our coaches," Walton said. "They've already helped me so much, but I know they can help make me even better."
The return of Walton and Costello gives the Cowboys a strong core of five seniors for the 2016 season as they join outfielder Corey Hassel, infielder David Petrino and pitcher Alex Hackerott. Seniors have enjoyed a strong track record of success under Holliday in his first three seasons at the helm, with nine of them being drafted by Major League Baseball, including five in 2015. Pitchers Brendan McCurry and Michael Freeman both earned consensus All-America honors as seniors, while Freeman took home Big 12 Pitcher of the Year accolades in his final collegiate season.
"We'll have another very good, solid senior class this season with five guys to build around," Holliday said. "Along with (Costello and Walton), Corey Hassel is a guy who has done nothing but give from day one here and last year proved to be an extremely valuable player, David Petrino will look to build on a junior year in which he contributed and Alex Hackerott hopes to bounce back and be more in line with the Alex Hackerott we had in years one and two where he was extremely effective coming out of our bullpen."
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