Oklahoma State University Athletics
Josh Holliday
Holliday, Cowboys Discuss Upcoming 2019 Season
February 04, 2019 | Cowboy Baseball
Oklahoma State head coach Josh Holliday and several players discussed the upcoming season during today's Cowboy Baseball Media Day. Below is a sampling of what they had to say, with full video of Holliday's press conference available by clicking the link in the above picture.
Oklahoma State head coach Josh Holliday
On preparing for the 2019 season
"We're getting better, and we're learning. The roster is challenging each other. The pitchers are challenging the hitters and vice versa which is an important thing to do this time of year."
On the 2019 team
"The key to our success will be getting each guy to get to his potential and coaching each guy to develop their game where they can be a strong contributor. Whether it be a skilled offensive player that can bunt the ball and run the bases and play high-level defense or a guy you're going to count on to drive in runs or whatever the case is. We've got to get each player to realize their abilities."
On Colin Simpson
"When you get a kid like Colin Simpson back in his senior year and you get to be around that kid, you just really start to appreciate how unique he is. His upbeat attitude. The glass is always half full with Colin. Never seen him have a bad day. He's one of those kids that when he walks in the door, he makes sure that you're on top of your game as a coach because he's always on top of his."
On Logan Gragg
"He's a joy to be around. He's fun, he's got an unbelievable outlook on everything he does. First of all, he's exciting because there's an old fashion work ethic and an honesty about him that every single day you're around him, you know exactly what you're going to get. I really like that about Logan. On top of that, he's about six-foot-six. His fastball is in the low to mid 90s. He has an excellent changeup. Coach (Rob) Walton's done a great job of helping him get his delivery in a better place, and he's developed a pretty good slider since he got on campus... I think a combination of who he is, his toughness and the way that the ball comes out of his hand, there's a lot about him that I think is going to help us win games."
On replacing starters from last season
"We've got a number of guys that really are excited about the opportunity for innings. It's normal to graduate good pitchers, it's normal to graduate good hitters, normal to lose guys to the draft. It's also exciting to see who comes next. There's a lot of chances for who's next on this team."
Redshirt freshman pitcher Mitchell Stone
On how exciting it is to play the last season at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium
"I'm so excited. It'll be a special year. We owe this place a lot. There have been so many great players and teams that've played here. We can't wait to leave our mark here."
On learning from watching others pitch
"Every guy that went to pitch and went up to the mound, I was able to observe and learn from. Carson Teel, he had a great year last year and watching him do what he did against OU, it's definitely something I would like to do one day. Just all those mental reps will come in handy."
On the potential of the team
"I think we are going to be good. We are going to pitch it, we are going to hit it. Pitching is definitely our strength. We've got a lot of guys coming back. A lot of guys like Jensen (Elliott) who is a Freshman All-American, he's going to have a big year this year, I believe that. We've got a lot of depth. It's going to be good for us."
Junior outfielder Carson McCusker
On the team's chemistry
"I think we have the best chemistry out there. We are all best friends here and off the field so that chemistry is going to really help us out throughout the season."
On the new stadium
"That's as big as it gets, honestly. That's going to draw in players from all across the country because that's going to be the best facility in college baseball."
On the last season in Allie P. Reynolds Stadium
"We understand this is the final season of Allie P. so we want to honor it and honor all the great players who have played here beforehand."
Senior catcher/outfielder Colin Simpson
On how exciting it is to play the last season at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium
"More than I can even explain. Especially being the last season in Allie P. we have a thing in the locker room that we want to leave a legacy here. We all know the great, great players who have played here. We really just want to leave something for the people to remember this last season in Allie P. I'm extremely excited for this season."
Junior pitcher Jensen Elliott
On his health heading into the season
"This is the strongest I've ever felt. I had a pretty good summer and then I came back here this fall to continue to get stronger with our new strength coach. Honestly, my body feels great. I'm just excited to attack this season."
On why he came back to OSU for another season
"The commitment that Oklahoma State had to me. Obviously I've been out the past two seasons, and they just stuck with me... Ultimately I felt like I owed it to the school to come back for another season. I'm excited because we have the potential to do something special."
Senior pitcher Joe Lienhard
On the 2019 season
"I'm extremely excited. I think this year there's a lot of hype around this team. We have a great core of returners coming back and a lot of new guys that are really going to be able to help us right off the bat."
On the pitching rotation
"We have a lot of depth this year so that's a great problem to have. To have a successful team, you really have to have a staff from top to bottom. There's no one guy that's going to win every game for you. It's a collection of guys."
Oklahoma State head coach Josh Holliday
On preparing for the 2019 season
"We're getting better, and we're learning. The roster is challenging each other. The pitchers are challenging the hitters and vice versa which is an important thing to do this time of year."
On the 2019 team
"The key to our success will be getting each guy to get to his potential and coaching each guy to develop their game where they can be a strong contributor. Whether it be a skilled offensive player that can bunt the ball and run the bases and play high-level defense or a guy you're going to count on to drive in runs or whatever the case is. We've got to get each player to realize their abilities."
On Colin Simpson
"When you get a kid like Colin Simpson back in his senior year and you get to be around that kid, you just really start to appreciate how unique he is. His upbeat attitude. The glass is always half full with Colin. Never seen him have a bad day. He's one of those kids that when he walks in the door, he makes sure that you're on top of your game as a coach because he's always on top of his."
On Logan Gragg
"He's a joy to be around. He's fun, he's got an unbelievable outlook on everything he does. First of all, he's exciting because there's an old fashion work ethic and an honesty about him that every single day you're around him, you know exactly what you're going to get. I really like that about Logan. On top of that, he's about six-foot-six. His fastball is in the low to mid 90s. He has an excellent changeup. Coach (Rob) Walton's done a great job of helping him get his delivery in a better place, and he's developed a pretty good slider since he got on campus... I think a combination of who he is, his toughness and the way that the ball comes out of his hand, there's a lot about him that I think is going to help us win games."
On replacing starters from last season
"We've got a number of guys that really are excited about the opportunity for innings. It's normal to graduate good pitchers, it's normal to graduate good hitters, normal to lose guys to the draft. It's also exciting to see who comes next. There's a lot of chances for who's next on this team."
Redshirt freshman pitcher Mitchell Stone
On how exciting it is to play the last season at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium
"I'm so excited. It'll be a special year. We owe this place a lot. There have been so many great players and teams that've played here. We can't wait to leave our mark here."
On learning from watching others pitch
"Every guy that went to pitch and went up to the mound, I was able to observe and learn from. Carson Teel, he had a great year last year and watching him do what he did against OU, it's definitely something I would like to do one day. Just all those mental reps will come in handy."
On the potential of the team
"I think we are going to be good. We are going to pitch it, we are going to hit it. Pitching is definitely our strength. We've got a lot of guys coming back. A lot of guys like Jensen (Elliott) who is a Freshman All-American, he's going to have a big year this year, I believe that. We've got a lot of depth. It's going to be good for us."
Junior outfielder Carson McCusker
On the team's chemistry
"I think we have the best chemistry out there. We are all best friends here and off the field so that chemistry is going to really help us out throughout the season."
On the new stadium
"That's as big as it gets, honestly. That's going to draw in players from all across the country because that's going to be the best facility in college baseball."
On the last season in Allie P. Reynolds Stadium
"We understand this is the final season of Allie P. so we want to honor it and honor all the great players who have played here beforehand."
Senior catcher/outfielder Colin Simpson
On how exciting it is to play the last season at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium
"More than I can even explain. Especially being the last season in Allie P. we have a thing in the locker room that we want to leave a legacy here. We all know the great, great players who have played here. We really just want to leave something for the people to remember this last season in Allie P. I'm extremely excited for this season."
Junior pitcher Jensen Elliott
On his health heading into the season
"This is the strongest I've ever felt. I had a pretty good summer and then I came back here this fall to continue to get stronger with our new strength coach. Honestly, my body feels great. I'm just excited to attack this season."
On why he came back to OSU for another season
"The commitment that Oklahoma State had to me. Obviously I've been out the past two seasons, and they just stuck with me... Ultimately I felt like I owed it to the school to come back for another season. I'm excited because we have the potential to do something special."
Senior pitcher Joe Lienhard
On the 2019 season
"I'm extremely excited. I think this year there's a lot of hype around this team. We have a great core of returners coming back and a lot of new guys that are really going to be able to help us right off the bat."
On the pitching rotation
"We have a lot of depth this year so that's a great problem to have. To have a successful team, you really have to have a staff from top to bottom. There's no one guy that's going to win every game for you. It's a collection of guys."
Players Mentioned
RHP
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RHP
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RHP
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OF
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C/OF
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LHP
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LHP
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