Get to know the 2023 Oklahoma State Cowboys baseball team and schedule

STILLWATER — Oklahoma State players have turned the page.

Last season’s disappointing finish in a wacky baseball regional championship series against Arkansas is old news. The Cowboys have lots of new faces.

But the same goal.

Take the next step. Make it back to Omaha for the College World Series.

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

In a year the Cowboys are relying on a rebuilt pitching staff, they remain a popular pick to make it to the CWS.

They are picked by some national outlets to win the Big 12 and others to finish in the top two. That could mean another regional coming to O’Brate Stadium.

Coaches in the conference voted OSU to finish second behind TCU.

But there remains a bit of an unknown with this squad. There are 23 new players on the roster.

The Cowboys begin their season Friday in Arlington, Texas, at Globe Life Field in the College Baseball Showdown. They face Missouri at 11 a.m. before facing SEC powerhouses Vanderbilt and Arkansas on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Here’s a look at the roster, focusing on players the Cowboys will count on throughout the spring:

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Utility

Nolan McLean

Junior, Willow Springs, N.C.: McLean was a third-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles last summer as a pitcher but they did not reach an agreement. So, the slugging flamethrower opted to return to OSU, where he will be used all over the diamond as a pitcher, right fielder and third baseman. Armed with a fastball that touches 100 mph, he finished the year as the closer. He could return to that role but he was also stretched out as a starting pitcher in the preseason. Either way, his bat will remain in the lineup. McLean led the Cowboys with 19 homers, which was third in the Big 12. But he struck out 107 times, a point of emphasis to cut down throughout this offseason.

Carson Benge

Redshirt freshman, Yukon: Another two-way star, Benge was labeled “a difference maker” by Holliday. The younger brother of former OSU star Garrett Benge, Carson redshirted last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He could be in right field when McLean pitches. Benge will also likely serve as the designated hitter at times.

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Starting pitchers

Juaron Watts-Brown

Sophomore, Hanford, Calif.: A transfer from Long Beach State, Watts-Brown arrives with big expectations. The 6-foot-3 right-hander will headline the new-look rotation. He was voted the Big 12’s preseason newcomer and pitcher of the year. Here’s why: He features a devastating slider and the ability to strike batters out. Last season, he made 15 appearances — 12 starts — and struck out 111 batters over 73 ⅓ innings. He also threw a no-hitter against UC Riverside and struck out seven in his collegiate debut against SEC power Mississippi State.

Brennan Phillips

Freshman, Owasso: The Cowboys are high on the young left-hander. A year ago at Owasso High School, he led the way to a Class 6A state championship with an 8-1 record, 1.04 ERA and 120 strikeouts in just 67 innings. That followed a year in which he was 9-1 with a 0.89 ERA. The former Team USA member is a fast worker who controls the strike zone, impressing teammates early with his poise and command.

Ryan Bogusz

Junior, Frisco, Texas: A longtime reliever, Bogusz threw 37 ⅓ innings last season, the most among returning pitchers. And 13 ⅓ of those came as a starter in the postseason. The right-hander made his first-career start in a Big 12 semifinal against Texas, throwing 106 pitches into the ninth inning. He then started back-to-back games in the regional tournament against Missouri State and Arkansas. Bogusz underwent minor elbow surgery that could slow his season debut.

Ben Abram

Senior, Georgetown, Ontario, Canada: Abram made the Bedlam swap, transferring from OU. A 6-foot-8, 262-pound right-hander, the veteran made 53 appearances, including 14 starts, over four years with the Sooners. He was primarily a reliever last season, making 21 appearances. The former Big 12 All-Freshman Team selection brings needed experience in the conference and could be a strong mid-week option in the rotation.

Janzen Keisel

Sophomore, Gunnison, Utah: A 6-foot-4 right-hander, Keisel transferred from BYU. He made 19 appearances a year ago with nine as a starter. He went 3-2 with a 4.27 ERA and 58 strikeouts. He even threw five shut-out innings against the Cowboys in March.

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Relief pitchers

Brian Hendry

Junior, Medford, N.J.: A St. John’s transfer, the 6-foot-4 right-hander did not play last season due to an injury but returned to make three appearances late in the Cape Cod League season. He struck out six batters in 3 1/3 innings over three relief appearances. He could quickly become a high-leverage reliever.

Bayden Root

Senior, Kokomo, Ind.: A veteran right-hander who transferred from Ohio State before last season, Root made 21 appearances and threw 26 innings in relief for the Cowboys. He was 3-1 with a 7.96 ERA. He started the year strong, but struggled in the final two-plus months.

Evan O’Toole

Junior, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Canada: One of two Iowa Western Community College transfers on the pitching staff, O’Toole could develop into a late-inning option. A year ago, he had a save and 36 strikeouts in 31 innings. But the season before he was primarily a starter, going 9-0 with a 1.31 ERA.

Brant Hogue

Junior, Sioux City, Iowa: Another Iowa Western CC transfer, the talented lefty is a valuable weapon out of the bullpen. Last season, 13 of his 14 appearances were starts and he was 6-0 with a 1.67 ERA and 93 strikeouts. He could also provide long relief or a mid-week start.

Drew Blake

Redshirt freshman, Stillwater: The lefty redshirted last season but has impressed through the fall and preseason workouts. As a senior for the Pioneers, he threw just 28 innings but was dominant with 65 strikeouts.

Isaac Stebens

Junior, Stillwater: A talented right-hander, Stebens spent the past two years at Cowley (Kansas) College, where he made 45 relief appearances with 12 saves. Last season, he had seven saves and 48 strikeouts while helping Cowley reach the JUCO World Series.

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Catchers

Chase Adkison

Junior, Grangeville, Idaho: Adkison started 43 games behind the plate a year ago and was a stabilizing presence. He batted .240 with four home runs and seven doubles, but finished the year strong with hits in all three regional games against Arkansas.

Ian Daugherty

Sophomore, Kingfisher: As a true freshman, Daugherty appeared in 31 games — starting 21 — while rapidly improving behind the plate throughout the spring. He also homered once and drove in 12 runs. Over the summer, Daugherty showed increased power with five homers and seven doubles in the Appalachian League. He works well with the Cowboys pitching staff, which could lead to more starts.

Beau Sylvester

Freshman, Kailua, Hawaii: A late addition to the signing class, he joined the Cowboys in July after initially signing with Washington. And it’s quite the addition. Sylvester brings a big bat — he had a 1.084 OPS in the West Coast League last summer — and can play various positions. The biggest goal will be to get his bat in the lineup.

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Infielders

David Mendham

Senior, Dorchester, Ontario, Canada: In his first season with the Cowboys, Mendham became a stalwart at first base, starting 50 games there and seven as the DH. He had 19 multi-hit and a dozen multi-RBI games as he improved throughout the spring. He had 11 homers and 16 doubles. The former South Carolina transfer has also been working out at third base this preseason.

Roc Riggio

Sophomore, Simi Valley, Calif.: One of the most electric players in the country, Riggio started 53 games at second base and became a star. He batted .295 with 11 homers, 14 doubles and 47 RBIs. But he really took center stage in the regional series, homering in each of the first four games and finishing the year on a nine-game hitting streak.

Marcus Brown

Junior, Springdale, Ark.: A consistent presence at shortstop who appeared in every game last season, Brown became a strong hitter who showed ability to get on base. He batted .316 and scored 44 runs while posting a .378 on-base percentage. Last season, he saw some time at third base but that will likely be extremely rare moving forward.

Tyler Wulfert

Junior, Farmington, N.M.: A transfer from Midland (Texas) Junior College, Wulfert is expected to take over the primary duties at third base. He impressed in the fall with his ability to consistently put the ball in play and get on base. He also has power. Last season, he belted 20 homers and drove in 72 runs while batting .389.

Colin Brueggermann

Sophomore, Smithton, Ill.: Brueggermann exploded in his one season at Johnson County (Kansas) Community College with 21 homers — seventh nationally in National Junior College Athletic Association — and 74 RBIs. Brueggermann’s left-handed bat will be important to the lineup. The 6-foot-6, 231-pound first baseman is the son of Dean Brueggermann, who pitched seven seasons in the Colorado Rockies’ organization.

Aidan Meola

Sophomore, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.: The son of United States Soccer Hall of Famer Tony Meola, Aidan came on strong last year primarily playing against left-handers. But the third baseman suffered multiple concussions, which limited him. Now healthy, he provides strong depth, even as a defensive replacement late in games.

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Outfielders

Nolan Schubart

Freshman, Durand, Mich.: A 6-foot-5, 227-pound outfielder with light-tower power, Schubart was another late addition to the recruiting class after he was released from his National Letter of Intent with Michigan following a coaching change. Schubart is expected to be the starting left fielder after a dominant high school career at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s High, one of the best programs in the country with an 87-1 record the past two seasons.

Zach Ehrhard

Sophomore, Tampa, Fla.: The speedster was primarily in right field last spring but will move to center. In 58 games last season, he posted a .332 average (second on the team). He also led the Cowboys with 18 stolen bases. Ehrhard also reached base in 23 straight games at one point, the longest streak of the year for OSU. He only hit three homers, but he has shown an uptick in power leading into the spring.

Jaxson Crull

Junior, Bixby: Primarily a late defensive replacement or pinch runner, Crull appeared in 56 games last season, stealing six bases. With his defensive ability and speed, he can play anywhere in the outfield as needed.

—Jacob Unruh, Staff writer

2023 Oklahoma State baseball schedule

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State baseball: OSU Cowboys roster, schedule for 2023 season