What Josh Holliday, Nolan McLean and others said at Oklahoma State baseball media day

STILLWATER — After falling just short of making a super regional last season, the Oklahoma State baseball program is looking to take the next step.

And it starts with a stiff test.

The Cowboys open their season next week when they face Missouri to open the College Baseball Showdown at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

OSU also faces SEC powers Vanderbilt and Arkansas — the team that eliminated the Cowboys last season — in the three-day event that begins Feb. 17.

“We’re not messing around, that’s for sure,” OSU coach Josh Holliday said.

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As the Cowboys look to turn the page on last season, they’ll turn to a plethora of new faces around familiar returning stars to meet high expectations.

OSU was selected to finish second in the preseason by Big 12 coaches but picked to win the conference by other national outlets.

“You’re banking on your guys getting better as you go and you’re banking on guys delivering,” Holliday said. “So, that’s what we’re excited to see is how guys take these opportunities and grow.”

OSU held its preseason media day Monday morning, offering a peak at what to expect this spring.

Here are three takeaways from the day.

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Juaron Watts-Brown and a slider to love

The buzz around Long Beach State transfer pitcher Juaron Watts-Brown is high entering the season.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-hander is the Big 12’s Preseason Pitcher of the Year and Newcomer of the Year.

“He’s just like anyone,” Holliday said. “He’s still corralling all that talent and working to be the best version of himself. He was just a freshman last year. He didn’t pitch the year before that.

“He, although I know he’s gotten some nice recognition heading into the season, is still a younger player when it comes to becoming him. But he’s talented and we’re counting on him to just go out there and do what he can do, which is pump four quality pitches in the strike zone and compete awfully hard for us.”

One of those pitches is a slider.

The pitch jumped out to Holliday last spring when he saw highlights of Watts-Brown throwing a no-hitter against UC Riverside or pitching well against Mississippi State in his college debut.

It’s a pitch that spins like a fastball until it dives. Watts-Brown can throw it in the upper 80s, adding even more deception to mimic his low-to-mid-90s fastball.

“Dang, that slider’s good,” OSU two-way star Nolan McLean said about his first impression of Watts-Brown.

“No kidding,” second baseman Roc Riggio added.

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Nolan McLean returns looking to improve

After a tumultuous summer, McLean was thrilled to be sitting at the table between Ryan Bogusz, Marcus Brown and Riggio.

The Cowboys’ star slugger and flame-throwing pitcher didn’t expect to be at OSU’s media day after last season.

He was supposed to be headed for a minor league baseball assignment. He was selected in the third round by the Baltimore Orioles, but a contract agreement could not be reached.

So, McLean opted to return to OSU.

“I still had a place here and I was more than happy to come back and get to have one more year at this place,” McLean said.

The 6-foot-4, 214-pound junior is coming off a season in which he led the team with 19 homers, slugged .595 but struck out 107 times. He was also OSU’s closer late in the year, striking out 39 while recording five saves with his fastball that touched 100 mph.

He said he’s working hard to cut down the strikeouts. He’s also being stretched out as a starting pitcher entering the year. But his role as a pitcher could shift to the bullpen.

“Nolan’s a pretty remarkable talent,” Holliday said.

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Newcomers impressing early

The Cowboys have 22 new players, including a dozen true freshmen, on their 41-man roster.

So, it’ll be a new look. But one that still has a lot of talent.

The foursome of players who spoke Monday raved about some of the new players who have made strong impressions through early workouts.

“All of them,” Riggio quipped.

St. John’s transfer pitcher Brian Hendry was mentioned. Freshman Beau Sylvester, who can catch and play both infield and outfield was talked about.

But specifically, players pointed to Midland Junior College transfer Tyler Wulfert, a talented infielder.

“I don’t think Tyler Wulfert’s gotten out yet (in scrimmages),” McLean said. “Every time he swings the bat, he hits the ball hard.”

And true freshman Nolan Schubart really turned heads.

A 6-foot-5, 227-pound outfielder, the Durand, Michigan, native is showing jaw-dropping power. He hit nearly 10 home runs in fall workouts and scrimmages.

“I was playing second base in like our third intrasquad and he hit me a popup to second base,” Riggio said. “I was like, ‘Dang, that’s high.’ I caught it, I looked up at the scoreboard and he hit it like 102 (mph) straight in the air.”

Jacob Unruh covers college sports for The Oklahoman. You can send your story ideas to him at junruh@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @jacobunruh. Support his work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State baseball: Josh Holliday previews OSU Cowboys season