Oklahoma Sooners
Overall Rank: #44
Conference Rank: #7 Big 12
After reaching the Regional Finals in 2018, the expectations were high for Oklahoma heading into the 2019 campaign. The Sooners had their moments, but ended Big 12 play with an 11-13 record and, more importantly, failed to reach the NCAA Tournament. With a strong pitching staff the Sooners will be competitive in just about every game, but it remains to be seen if there is enough offense to get this group over the hump.
2019: 33-23, 11-13
2019 Postseason: None
Coach: Skip Johnson
Key Departed Players:
Brylie Ware, IF, .299 BA, 6 HR, 35 RBI
Nathan Wiles, P, 4.40 ERA, 8-4 W/L, 94.0 IP, 83 SO
Key Returning Players:
Tyler Hardman, IF, .306 BA, 6 HR, 47 RBI
Brady Lindsly, C, .291 BA, 5 HR, 34 RBI
Justin Mitchell, C, .274 BA, 17 RBI
Tanner Tredaway, IF, .260 BA, 10 RBI
Brandon Zaragoza, IF, .257 BA, 30 RBI
Conor McKenna, IF, .255 BA, 3 HR, 31 RBI
Levi Prater, P, 3.26 ERA, 7-4 W/L, 80.0 IP, 97 SO
Ben Abram, P, 4.24 ERA, 6-4 W/L, 63.2 IP, 52 SO
Cade Cavalli, P, 3.28 ERA, 5-3 W/L, 60.1 IP, 59 SO
Jason Ruffcorn, P, 2.43 ERA, 2-2 W/L, 37.0 IP, 28 SO, 11 SV
Projection:
Levi Prater, Ben Abram and Cade Cavalli form a very, very experienced trio of starting pitchers. Prater is the flashiest of the bunch, sporting a 3.26 ERA with 97 strikeouts in 80.0 innings of work in 2019. The Sooners also welcome back one of the best relievers in the country. Jason Ruffcorn tallied 11 saves last season, allowing just ten earned runs in 37.0 innings. A handful of transfers will help fill out the rotation. Coach Skip Johnson has also brought in some junior college transfers to help at the plate and add even more experience to a group that is already quite tested. However, Oklahoma needs more options at the plate with Tyler Hardman and Brady Lindsly being the only proven hitters on the roster. Hardman led the team with a .306 batting average last season and added six homeruns and 42 RBIs. Lindsly hit .291 with five homeruns and 34 RBIs. Those two, along with the now departed Brylie Ware, were the only consistently dangerous hitters on the team last year. If Oklahoma can find a couple more hitters, they will get back to the NCAA Tournament. If not, they could again be one of the first teams out.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Baseball Tournament
