SEASON PREVIEW CATCHERS AND DEPTH CHART
CATCHERS Returners: Bryan Groth, Ross Hubbard and Tyler Ogle Newcomer: Max White
300
OU has hit over .300 in each of the last four seasons and ranked second in the Big 12 in 2009. In addition, the Sooners have recorded a .300 or better clip in Big 12 play in three of the last four years.
111
Despite losing four arms to the 2009 Draft, OU still returns 111 appearances (48 percent) of the 320 appearances made last season.
In 2009, J.T. Wise was the best catcher in the nation and had the awards to prove it, being named the Johnny Bench Award winner and Big 12 Player of the Year. A trio of Sooners this season will look to fill that void with sophomore Tyler Ogle expected to start opening day. OU has depth behind the plate with senior Bryan Groth, the only Sooner with three years of experience in the OU program, senior captain Ross Hubbard and freshman Max White. “The position was a question mark heading into last spring and look at the year that J.T. had,” said Golloway. “We have talent and experience at the position and are confident the group will help lead our pitching staff. This program has a history of producing quality players at the catcher position and the coaches believe another will emerge.” As a true freshman, Ogle made seven of his 26 starts signaling the pitches, but most of his time was as the team’s designated hitter, where he opened the season in the starting lineup. In 43 games, Ogle hit .302 with 17 RBIs and then went on to play catcher in the Texas Collegiate League over the summer. “Tyler showed a lot of poise last year and developed even further in the TCL,” added Golloway. “He has the offensive and defensive skills necessary to be successful.”
63
Zach Neal and Bobby Shore, both projected to start in the rotation, helped lead Howard College to a 63-1 record and a NJCAA National Championship in 2009. The duo combined to win 24 games.
24
The Sooners cracked 91 home runs a year ago, the most since the 1998 OU club. Only 24 of those dingers return in 2010, including seven from Casey Johnson.
5
OU returns five players that hit over. 300 and saw significant time in 2009 and started at least 25 games. That group includes Garrett Buechele, Chris Ellison, Casey Johnson, Camerson Seitzer and Tyler Ogle.
2
Ryan Duke’s 16 saves in 2009 is the second best total in OU history. The right-hander enters the season as OU’s first preseason All-American since David Purcey was honored prior to the 2003 campaign.
Hubbard saw a lot of time this fall behind the plate after finishing the 2009 campaign as OU’s designated hitter. He brings power from the left side of the plate. In three years as a Sooner, Groth has impressed coaches with his defensive skills and he looks to show off his bat in 2010.
Below is a look at the projected depth chart headed into the 2010 season.
CF - CHRIS ELLISON Erik Ross
LF - CASEY JOHNSON
RF - RICKEY EISENBERG
Cody Reine | Tyler Brady
Elliott Blair |Jarek Pritchard
SS - CHAD KETTLER
2B - DANNY BLACK
Cale Ellis
Caleb Bushyhead | Jack Mayfield
3B - GARRETT BUECHELE
1B - CAMERON SEITZER
Max White
Drew Harrison
ROTATION & BULLPEN See page 52
DH - ROSS HUBBARD Kaleb Herren
C - TYLER OGLE OR BRYAN GROTH Ross Hubbard | Max White
51 2010 Oklahoma Baseball Guide