Get to know the 2023 Oklahoma Sooners baseball team and schedule

NORMAN — Skip Johnson likes to see the bigger picture.

The sixth-year OU baseball head coach is in a business where success is judged by the win column, but that isn't his main priority. Johnson prides himself in developing his players, which is why 11 Sooners got selected in the most recent MLB Draft.

"To tell you the truth, it's not about winning or losing," Johnson said. "It's about how you develop those young men. ... That's what it's really about at the end of the day."

But Johnson also wants to win, and that desire has only intensified after last season.

OU reached the championship round of the College World Series, but its unlikely run ended in a clean sweep at the hands of Ole Miss.

OU retooled by adding 25 newcomers to the roster for this season, which begins Friday with the start of a three-game home series against Cal Baptist.

And while Johnson intends on developing his newly-acquired players, he's also on another mission.

"Do I want to win a national championship?" Johnson said. "There ain't no doubt. That burns a hole in my soul every time I go out to practice. I'm focused on doing that."

Here’s a look at the Sooners’ roster entering the season:

More:Oklahoma baseball's sophomore class hopes to put program 'on the map' in 2023 season

Starting pitchers

Kale Davis

Redshirt junior, Oklahoma City: The right-handed pitcher changed allegiances this past offseason when he transferred from OSU. Davis went 1-1 last season with a 4.25 ERA. He recorded 56 strikeouts in 26 appearances. Only two of those appearances were starts, but Davis should have a larger role on an OU team that watched star pitchers Cade Horton and Jake Bennett get selected in the most recent MLB Draft.

Will Carsten

Junior, San Antonio: The right-handed pitcher should have an instant impact. Carsten posted an 18-3 record with a 3.35 ERA in two seasons at McLennan Community College. The junior college program has been good to the Sooners lately. Two contributors from last season’s OU team, Jimmy Crooks and Brett Squires, spent time at McLennan. Both players are now in the MLB’s farm system.

Braxton Douthit

Graduate student, Miami, Okla.: A former Wyandotte High School standout, Douthit spent the past two seasons at Lamar. The right-handed pitcher started all 15 of his appearances last season and went 6-2 with a 3.65 ERA. Douthit also racked up 76 strikeouts along the way. OU has a few other capable starters, but Douthit’s experience makes him a leading candidate.

More:What Skip Johnson, Kendall Pettis and others said at OU baseball media day

Others

Gray Thomas

Sophomore, Oklahoma City: Similar to Davis, Thomas is another Oklahoma City native who began his career with a Big 12 foe. The former Heritage Hall standout spent his freshman season at TCU, where he pitched four innings across seven games and finished with a 4.50 ERA. A right-handed pitcher, Thomas held his opponents scoreless in five of those seven appearances.

Braden Carmichael

Redshirt senior, Prosper, Texas: Carmichael is a rare returner in OU’s bullpen. The left-handed pitcher is back for his third season with the Sooners, and he’s hoping for a bounce-back campaign. After going 6-3 with a 5.03 ERA in 2021, Carmichael went 3-2 with a 9.00 ERA last season.

Julien Hachem

Freshman, Oak Park, Ill.: Johnson is known to give midweek starts to freshmen, and Hachem is sure to get the nod if that trend continues. Perfect Game rated the Oak Park, Illinois, native as the No. 37 left-handed pitcher in the Class of 2022. He’ll get an opportunity to contribute right away, and so will fellow freshman Carson Turnquist.

Relief pitchers

Blake Bales

Graduate student, Schoolcraft, Mich.: A Virginia transfer, Bales was one of OU’s biggest additions this past offseason. The right-handed pitcher went 3-0 with a 0.71 ERA in 38 innings pitched in 2021, and he was named one of 10 finalists for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year award. OU needs a reliable closer following the departure of Trevin Michael, and Bales figures to be the best option.

Jamie Hitt

Sophomore, Magnolia, Texas: Hitt is another intra-conference transfer. The left-handed pitcher spent the past two seasons at Texas Tech, where he went a combined 1-3 with a 7.14 ERA. Hitt made three starts with the Red Raiders. And while he could crack the starting rotation in Norman, he’ll provide some depth at the very least.

Aaron Calhoun

Sophomore, Pearland, Texas: Calhoun pitched 12 innings across 12 games last season. He recorded a 6.00 ERA and nine strikeouts. Rated by Perfect Game as the No. 38 right-handed pitcher in the Class of 2021, Calhoun figures to have a larger role this time around.

Catchers

Mason Strong

Sophomore, Santa Clara, Utah: It’ll be difficult to replace the production of Crooks, who served as OU’s starting catcher for the past two seasons, but BYU transfer Strong should help. He started in eight of his 12 appearances with the Cougars last season, and he only allowed three passed balls.

Easton Carmichael

Freshman, Prosper, Texas: Carmichael is another young option behind the plate. Perfect Game rated him as the No. 34 catcher in the Class of 2022. Carmichael swung the bat well as a senior at Prosper High School in Prosper, Texas. He batted .375 and recorded 39 hits to go along with 23 RBIs.

Kade Fletcher

Redshirt junior, Mansfield, Texas: Fletcher didn’t play for OU last season, but he spent the previous two seasons at Paris Junior College in Texas. He batted .250 with 30 RBIs and four home runs in 2021.

Infielders

Rocco Garza-Gongora

Freshman, Laredo, Texas: Despite being ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 30 outfielder in Texas, Garza-Gongora could end up being OU’s starting first baseman this season. He’d replace Blake Robertson. Garza-Gongora batted .471 as a senior at Alexander High School in Laredo, Texas, and he also recorded 22 stolen bases. He should fit in well with the Sooners, who placed an emphasis on being aggressive baserunners last season.

Jackson Nicklaus

Sophomore, Overland Park, Kan.: Nicklaus made the All-Big 12 Freshman Team last season. He batted .288 and finished with 61 hits, 36 RBIs and 11 home runs. Expectations are high for Nicklaus, who was recently named to the preseason All-Big 12 Team. He’ll be a leader for OU at second base.

Anthony Mackenzie

Junior, Houston: Mackenzie spent the past three seasons at Sam Houston State. He batted .213 with 38 RBIs and five home runs during his time with the Bearkats. Mackenzie could find a home at shortstop, where he’d have big shoes to fill. It’s a position that was held last season by star player Peyton Graham.

Dakota Harris

Junior, Land O'Lakes, Fla.: Harris is also in contention for the starting spot at shortstop. The Polk State College (Florida) transfer is a standout player on defense. He was named Suncoast Conference Defensive Player of the Year as both a freshman and a sophomore, and he was named a Rawlings Gold Glove recipient last season.

Wallace Clark

Sophomore, Tulsa: Clark started in 42 of his 48 appearances last season and batted .257. He recorded 39 hits and 27 RBIs, which helped him make the All-Big 12 Freshman Team. Clark figures to spend most of his time at third base, but he could get a look at catcher if OU's newcomers struggle.

Outfielders

Kendall Pettis

Redshirt junior, Chicago: Pettis caught fire during OU’s 2022 postseason run. He was named Gainesville Regional Most Valuable Player after erupting for eight runs and three RBIs in the round’s four games. Pettis is OU’s best baserunner, and he’s also a dynamic playmaker at left field.

John Spikerman

Sophomore, Montgomery, Texas: Spikerman joined Nicklaus on the preseason All-Big 12 Team following a stellar freshman campaign of his own. He batted .317 and recorded 15 RBIs to go along with two home runs. Spikerman will hold it down at center field. And while OU has question marks at some positions, it can take comfort in knowing it has a strong outfield duo of Pettis and Spikerman.

Sebastian Orduno

Redshirt junior, San Pedro, Calif.: Orduno only batted .240 last season, but he recorded an on-base percentage of .408. The redshirt junior proved to be someone who finds a way to get on base, making him a trusted designated hitter option.

Bryce Madron

Junior, Blanchard: Swinging the bat isn’t a problem for Madron. He spent the past two seasons at Cowley College in Kansas, where he batted .418 with 135 RBIs and 24 home runs. Madron earned All-Region Second Team honors last season, and he should start at right field for OU this season.

Tavion Vaughns

Freshman, Grand Prairie, Texas: Nicknamed “TV” for his entertaining style of play, Vaughns has the skills to make an impact as a freshman. Perfect Game rated him as the No. 37 outfielder in the Class of 2022. Vaughns batted .429 with five home runs, 28 hits and 16 RBIs as a senior at Cedar Hills High School in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Utility

Diego Muniz

Fifth-year senior, Rockwall, Texas: OU has 25 newcomers on its team, which only makes Muniz more valuable. The fifth-year senior has spent his entire career with the Sooners, and his veteran leadership will be needed this season. Muniz batted .259 with 24 RBIs and 18 runs last season.

—Justin Martinez, Staff writer

2023 OU baseball schedule

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU baseball: Oklahoma Sooners roster, schedule for 2023 season