Tag: Skip Johnson

How to watch, key players for the Oklahoma Sooners in the Shriners Children’s College Baseball Showdown

The Oklahoma baseball team is set take the field this weekend for the first time and this is how you can watch them.

It is almost Opening Day for the Oklahoma Sooners baseball team. The Sooners are coming off a tough 32-28 season a year ago, where they were eliminated in the Regionals.

But they return this year with seven of their top nine hitters back in the lineup for the 2024 season. But they’ll have to replace two of their starting pitchers from a season ago.

They start the season off with a tough three-game stretch in the Shriners Children’s College Baseball Showdown. They take on the Oregon Ducks, Tennessee Volunteers, and Nebraska Cornhuskers.

So, let’s look at how you can watch those games and some key players for all the teams.

One last ride: Oklahoma baseball set to embark on final season in the Big 12

Taking a brief look at Oklahoma baseball as they get set to start their season on Friday afternoon against Oregon.

As the calendar switched to 2024, the clock ticks faster and faster on the remaining winter and spring sports to wrap up their final days in the Big 12. The baseball program is the last Oklahoma team to start its final campaign in the conference. That changes Friday as the Sooners travel to Arlington, Texas, for three days to kick off their season in the Shriners Children’s College Showdown.

More: How to watch Oklahoma Baseball in the Shriner’s Children’s College Showdown.

Globe Life Field is home to the defending World Series champion, Texas Rangers, and the Sooners themselves will be trying to focus on getting back to the College World Series.

An offseason rebuild focused on pitching. The return of some crucial players from last year’s NCAA Tournament team sets the stage for what Oklahoma will look like in 2024.

Pitching was far and away the biggest weakness in 2023, so it only made sense that head coach Skip Johnson, one of the nation’s best pitching coaches in his own right, attempted to plug the gaping holes in his rotation and bullpen.

The Sooners hit the transfer portal and brought in newcomers Braden Davis (Sam Houston State), Brendan Girton (Texas Tech), Kyson Witherspoon (Northwest Florida State College), and freshman Jacob Gholston to add some talent and power to the staff.

Witherspoon also has a twin named Malachi who could see action during the season, likely during the midweek affairs. The lone returning weekend rotation guy is James Hitt, who’ll probably be in that role this year.

Austin Henry, a transfer from Wichita State, has an abundance of talent and is also someone who may come along as the season goes on. Carter Campbell and Carson Atwood, alongside Jett Lodes, are the immediate names that stand out as trusted arms from the bullpen. That won’t be enough for an entire season, so developing the rest of the bullpen is among the early season priorities.

Simply put, the pitching is the number one thing to watch, especially early on.

On the other hand, Oklahoma should be a versatile offense equipped with power and speed. Center fielder John Spikerman, right field Bryce Madron, third baseman/first baseman Anthony Mackenzie, second baseman Jackson Nicklaus, catcher Easton Carmichael, and outfielder Kendall Pettis return to give Oklahoma an experienced nucleus. Replacing Dakota Harris, drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals, will be no easy task, but that job will fall on the shoulders of Jaxon Willits, son of OU associate head coach Reggie Willits.

Willits was rated as the No. 2 prospect in Oklahoma before he committed to the Sooners.

One of the significant additions from the transfer portal to Oklahoma’s lineup is that of the 6-foot-4 Carter Frederick, a transfer from Snead State College. He hit .463 with 14 home runs in 53 games last season.

Oklahoma’s season will come down to how their revamped pitching performs. Offensively, the Sooners are well-rounded with power, speed, situational hitting. They have a nice blend of veteran leadership who has been to the NCAA Tournament and even a few on the team that made it to the championship series in 2022.

Can Oklahoma find its way and somehow push Texas, TCU, and Texas Tech for a final Big 12 title? OU was picked to finish tied for sixth in the Big 12 Baseball Preseason Poll.

It all starts in Arlington on Friday afternoon against the Oregon Ducks. The Sooners hope their season ends in Omaha, Nebraska.

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Oklahoma Sooners absent from preseason baseball Coaches Poll

Oklahoma Baseball absent from initial preseason USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

Baseball is almost here for Skip Johnson’s crew. As he gets ready to coach his sixth year as the head man in charge of the Oklahoma Sooners, he will do so with his squad unranked to start the season.

The USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll was released on Tuesday, and Oklahoma is noticeably absent from the mix. The Sooners weren’t even receiving votes.

Wake Forest opens the season at No. 1 with a loaded roster headlined by first baseman Nick Kurtz, a projected top 10 pick in June’s 2024 MLB Draft.

TCU, Texas, and Texas Tech are the only three Big 12 schools in the initial top 25. Kansas State is receiving the most votes of anyone not in the top 25. With a hot start, the Wildcats are poised to enter the mix early.

Oklahoma will look to return to the NCAA Tournament after they were ousted by the No.12 team in the preseason poll, East Carolina, to end their 2023 season.

The St. Louis Cardinals drafted shortstop Dakota Harris in the 11th round of the 2023 MLB Draft and he will be missed. Harris started 46 games last year and led the Sooners with a .328 batting average and clubbed seven home runs, 12 doubles, and 48 RBIs. He also scored 27 runs, drew 19 walks, and was 6 for 9 in stolen bases while posting a .516 slugging percentage and a .403 OBP.

Pitching was a significant problem for Oklahoma last year. Skip Johnson and his staff went into the transfer portal to rectify it. They added multiple talented arms from programs across the country, headlined by redshirt freshman Austin Henry, who has the talent to be a weekend starter and future MLB draft pick.

Oklahoma will start its season on February 16 in Arlington, Texas, against Oregon. That weekend, they’ll also play No. 8 Tennessee and Nebraska as part of the Shriners Children’s College Baseball Showdown.

A look at the full Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports:

Rank Team Points
1 Wake Forest 751 (15)
2 LSU 731 (11)
3 Florida 727 (5)
4 Arkansas 672
5 TCU 643
6 Vanderbilt 576
7 Oregon State 543
8 Tennessee 529
9 Clemson 484
10 Texas A&M 468
11 Virginia 431
12 East Carolina 391
13 Texas 381
14 Duke 351
15 North Carolina 342
16 North Carolina State 289
17 Alabama 197
18 UC-Santa Barbara 187
18 Coastal Carolina 187
20 Iowa 186
21 South Carolina 169
22 Texas Tech 157
23 Stanford 121
24 UCLA 80
25 Northeastern 71

Others Receiving Votes

Kansas State 65; UC Irvine 51; Oregon 42; Oklahoma State 41; Auburn 35; Southern Miss 21; Dallas Baptist 21; Troy 19; Ole Miss 16; Florida State 13; UNCW 12; Arizona 10; Oral Roberts 9; Indiana State 8; Connecticut 7; USC 6; Georgia 6; Campbell 6; Kentucky 5; West Virginia 4; Indiana 4; Georgia Tech 4; Maryland 3; Hawaii 3

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Brent Venables feels Skip Johnson deserves the credit for ‘2 Sport U’

The Sooners uniquely signed two players who will also be playing baseball but how does that work?

The Oklahoma Sooners have had a history of players playing multiple sports. The most notable one, of course, is [autotag]Kyler Murray[/autotag], who played football and baseball.

Murray became the first player drafted in the first round of both the [autotag]NFL[/autotag] and [autotag]MLB[/autotag] draft. He ultimately decided on a football career. In the [autotag]2024 recruiting class[/autotag], the Sooners have two more who are set to play both sports. [autotag]James Nesta[/autotag] will play linebacker for the football team and will pitch for the baseball team. [autotag]Taylor Tatum[/autotag] will play running back and then, most likely, in the outfield.

But this wouldn’t work if it wasn’t for the plan in place that [autotag]Skip Johnson[/autotag] has. He’s been through it with Murray and knows how to make this work. It was his plan that both Nesta and Tatum have talked about as to why they chose Oklahoma.

Brent Venables talked about how this plan came to be. “I wouldn’t say it’s as much as me. Skip and the baseball team is willing to do it,” Venables said. “I think the attractiveness of how well our baseball program has done. The history, the tradition, certainly they did a great job of selling those things. I think that attracted them as much as anything. That combination of the excellence of Oklahoma football and what it’s represented and the excellence of baseball. I personally don’t think we would have gotten either one of them had the football been a powerhouse and excellent and had the history and tradition and then the baseball program stunk. I don’t think we would have gotten either one of those guys.”

It’s a testament to how good of a job Johnson has done since taking over. It’s also why Oklahoma has become “2 Sport U.”

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One of North Carolina’s best, James Nesta, signs with the Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma is getting not only a talented linebacker but Oklahoma’s baseball team is also getting a stud pitcher with James Nesta signing.

When the dust settles on the signing periods this cycle, Oklahoma will have not one but two athletes on its football team who also will play baseball. One  hails from North Carolina. [autotag]James Nesta[/autotag] is a dynamic two-sport star who will make his home on the Oklahoma football team as a dynamic linebacker.

On the diamond, he’s a pitcher who could one day be drafted, but for [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag], he’ll join a loaded linebacker room led by [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag]. Nesta stands 6 feet, 5 inches, and his Hough High School team possessed a fearsome defense partly due to his ability to play in space as a traditional linebacker and on the edge, rushing the passer.

With the depth in Oklahoma’s linebacker unit, Nesta will likely not see the field much in Year 1, but he should be able to learn and grow plenty.

Nesta is the first prospect from North Carolina Venables has signed since taking over the program. However, Nesta will not be the last due to how fruitful North Carolina was to Venables during his time at Clemson.

More from the [autotag]2024 Early Signing Period[/autotag]

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Kyler Murray encourages Taylor Tatum after commitment to OU football and baseball

Former Sooner and two-sport star Kyler Murray encouraged Taylor Tatum after the five-star running back’s commitment to Oklahoma.

“Two-sport U” has made a couple of splashes in the 2024 recruiting cycle with the commitments of James Nesta and, most recently, Taylor Tatum to Oklahoma football and baseball.

On Friday, Tatum, the No. 1 running back in the nation and a 247Sports composite five-star player, pledged to the Sooners’ 2024 recruiting class, choosing OU over USC.

Sooners baseball coach Skip Johnson’s success working with the football team to manage the schedule of a former two-sport star had to play a big role in earning Tatum’s commitment. It certainly helps that he boasts a recent trip to the College World Series championship.

Oklahoma’s most notable two-sport star, Kyler Murray, took to Twitter on Saturday to encourage Taylor Tatum after his commitment, saying, “Great choice, play both for as long as you can! Boomer!” He also shared a hand emoji representing the sign for “I love you.”

Kyler Murray was the No. 1 pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019. Prior to that, the Oakland Athletics took him No. 9 overall in the 2018 MLB draft.

Like Murray, Tatum’s speed kills on the gridiron and is a terror on the basepaths. He’ll certainly be someone that provides ChaOUs for both Brent Venables and Skip Johnson. All that’s left to do is get him signed and on campus and let his athleticism do the rest.

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Nation’s No. 1 running back prospect Taylor Tatum chooses Oklahoma over USC Trojans

Oklahoma lands 15th commit in 2024 recruiting class as elite running back Taylor Tatum commits to the Sooners over the USC Trojans.

The Oklahoma Sooners and running backs coach DeMarco Murray picked up another big-time recruiting win, earning the commitment of Taylor Tatum. Tatum is the No. 1 running back in the nation and a composite five-star prospect, according to 247Sports. Tatum committed to Oklahoma on Friday morning over Lincoln Riley’s USC Trojans.

With his commitment, Tatum becomes the highest-rated recruit in Murray’s coaching career. The Sooners have been involved in a highly contested recruitment that has spanned well over a year. While Oklahoma wasn’t always considered the leader throughout, Murray and the Sooners staff remained steady in their pursuit of Tatum as he played out the process.

Oklahoma entered the race last summer by offering him in June. Tatum had a highly productive junior season where he was named Texas District 7-5A D-I Overall MVP, rushing for 1,891 yards and 33 TDs on 8.33 yards per carry. He also caught three touchdowns to help his Longview squad to a 14-1 record and the Texas 5A D-I state semifinals.

With his junior season behind him, Tatum’s recruitment took off. On April 24, he announced a top seven list of Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, USC, Texas A&M, Georgia and Texas.

Around that time, Michigan already had several predictions in its favor.

Eventually, the recruitment whittled itself down to the Sooners, Trojans and Wolverines. Official visits to Oklahoma, Michigan and USC came and went. All three schools sold Tatum on playing football and baseball. A significant factor in his recruitment was his ability to play both sports. He patrols the outfield or can slide down and play second base.

As the calendar turned to July, Oklahoma and USC stood tall as the final two.

Oklahoma surged in his recruitment, and predictions from insiders at 247Sports, On3 and Rivals overwhelmingly favored the Sooners. But it was the Sooners that closed it out. In doing so, Murray and Skip Johnson landed one of the best three-sport stars in the country. In addition to football and baseball, Tatum also stars for his track squad, winning district and area meets in the 200 meters.

By landing Tatum, Murray gets a three-down back capable of hitting the home run and one unafraid of getting behind his pads and fighting for the dirty yards. In contrast, Skip Johnson gets a dynamic athlete capable of roaming the outfield like former Sooners quarterback [autotag]Kyler Murray[/autotag].

Gabe Brooks of 247Sports had this to say in his evaluation of Tatum.

Enters senior campaign as an elite running back prospect in the 2024 cycle. Catalog of physical tools and play style should fit myriad offensive schemes. Projects to the high-major level as an eventual impact starter with a long-term ceiling as a possible NFL Draft early-round candidate. – Brooks, 247Sports

Now that Oklahoma has landed Tatum, the Sooners have passed rivals Texas and Nebraska in recruiting for 2024. Oklahoma sits 16th in the nation in team recruiting rankings.

Tatum’s commitment also makes him the highest-rated recruit for Oklahoma’s class, overtaking a spot held by four-star wide receiver Zion Kearney.

The work is not done for Murray. Next up in the 2024 recruiting cycle is four-star running back Caden Durham. Durham is set to commit on Aug. 25, choosing among Oklahoma, LSU and Texas A&M.

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Oklahoma baseball earns pair of commitments over the weekend

The transfer portal continues to be kind to Oklahoma as they land two commitments over the weekend.

Skip Johnson has been busy since Oklahoma’s season ended in Charlottesville, Virginia. The portal and high school recruiting have been highly advantageous to the Sooners this summer, and Johnson continues to reap the benefits from both.

While Sooner fans were head over heels after elite tight end prospect Davon Mitchell chose Oklahoma this weekend, the Sooners baseball team also landed new talent.

Jacob Lapham, formerly of Hudson Valley Community College in New York, committed to the Sooners. Lapham is another pitcher to add to the Sooner’s mix. He earned all-conference honors this past season as a starter.

It remains to be seen if he’ll start at Oklahoma. However, someone that can start or work in long or middle relief is always valuable for the college baseball grind.

Staying on the diamond, Johnson deviated from his run on pitchers to add Carter Frederick. Frederick is a massive bat from Snead State, where he posted an NJCAA-best .493 batting average with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs. He swiped seven bags for good measure and was named ACCC-North Player of the Year.

Snead is a physically imposing player, standing 6 feet, 4 inches and more than 215 pounds. He likely slots as a middle-of-the-order bat to add some much-needed pop to an Oklahoma team that finished tied for 210th nationally in home runs with 47 in 60 games. His on-base percentage is a few ticks shy of .600. Needless to say, Frederick’s addition to this Sooner lineup will be very welcome.

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Sooners receive another prediction for 2024 5-Star RB Taylor Tatum

Just a few days after receiving his fifth star from 247Sports composite rankings, Oklahoma received another prediction for Taylor Tatum.

Just a few days after Taylor Tatum received his fifth star in the 247Sports composite, Oklahoma received another prediction for the running back.

Still, there’s no date for a commitment, but this has long felt like the Sooners are going up against the USC Trojans.

At one point, it felt like a commitment could pop at any moment, with a number of predictions rolling in from each of the three major recruiting services. But the Sooners continue to wait for Tatum to announce a date or make his pledge known.

On Sunday, the Sooners received another prediction in their favor from On3 national host Josh Newberg. That brings the Sooners’ probability of landing Tatum to 66.4%, according to On3. Oklahoma is also the heavy favorite according to Rivals and 247Sports.

Tatum is a player they don’t mind waiting for. He’s too talented to move on from at any point.

Waiting is the hardest part. However, this is the new world order for  Oklahoma recruiting. Brent Venables encourages players to take all of their visits before committing, so it’s going to make the process play out a little longer. Especially for some of the top players in the recruiting class. They are players teams just don’t give up on easily. The top teams in pursuit will not slow their recruitment until the paperwork is faxed in.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what your recruiting class is in July. What matters is how it finishes come signing day.

One thing is for certain, DeMarco Murray and the baseball staff led by Skip Johnson have done an incredible job recruiting the talented two-sport athlete.

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Transfer portal is helping fill Oklahoma’s pitching holes

Skip Johnson has wasted little time fortifying his pitching staff after a 2023 season in which Oklahoma ranked No. 151 in team ERA.

Oklahoma’s 2023 season was a rough one. Fresh off their trip to the final of the 2022 College World Series, the Sooners came into the 2023 season looking for similar success. Sure, they lost a lot of guys to the draft and graduation, but it’s hard to imagine that the returning players felt that they couldn’t make a run to the College World Series again.

However, titles aren’t decided on paper. Aside from a mid-season run, Oklahoma started the season flat and fizzled out early in the Big 12 tournament. The Sooners snuck into the NCAA tournament as the second-to-last tournament team. They bowed out after losing two games in the Charlottesville regional.

The constant in almost every loss for the Sooners this year? Pitching.

Oklahoma’s pitching from the beginning of the season to the end never really held up its end of the bargain. Oklahoma finished the season No. 151 nationally in team ERA allowing 5.95 runs per game. Seven of the eight finalists that made it to Omaha this season were in the top 50 in team ERA.

Pitching is the great equalizer; it can fill in many gaps for teams and propel them to new heights.

Skip Johnson and the Sooners coaching staff has made a concerted effort this offseason to add to their pitching staff, landing five transfer pitchers to Oklahoma’s roster for next year.

Oklahoma landed a pair of transfers from Wichita State in Jace Miner and Austin Henry, JUCO transfers Malachi and Kyson Witherspoon, and a recent commitment from Texas Tech transfer righty Brendan Girton.

Oklahoma saw firsthand what Miner and Girton could do as both pitched against Oklahoma this season. Girton pitched four innings of one one-hit ball with four strikeouts in April. Miner faced Oklahoma three times in 5.2 innings of work, allowing zero runs.

Henry may have the highest ceiling. He was a top 75 prospect out of high school. His pedigree is incredibly impressive. He could eventually be a weekend starter at some point next season.

The Witherspoon twins feature nice repertoires and will be essential options for the staff. Both throw low to mid-90 fastballs.

Oklahoma’s only way to continue to push forward as a baseball program, especially as they prepare to move to the SEC, is to construct the caliber of rosters the SEC has.

Three of the eight teams to make it to Omaha this season were from the SEC. The championship series features LSU and Florida. Both teams are potent offensive juggernauts but remain balanced with top 50 pitching and MLB quality arms in the rotation and out of the bullpen. Oklahoma’s blueprint to success is right in front of them.

Skip Johnson sees it. And if this summer is any indication, Johnson is determined to turn a weakness into a strength.

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