'He's a luxury': How Oklahoma State's Brett Standlee brings versatility to Bedlam series
Jacob UnruhOklahoman
STILLWATER — Brett Standlee had only been on the varsity team for a week when he was summoned to the mound with the season on the line.
Jenks High School coach Danny Morgan trusted his young, baby-faced right-hander.
Standlee, just a freshman in 2014, needed to keep the Trojans within two against rival Tulsa Union in a Class 6A regional championship game. A state tournament berth was on the line when he entered with one out in the seventh down two runs.
Standlee recorded the final five outs in a 3-2 extra-innings win.
“We knew then,” Morgan said. “I think Brett’s just special.”
Morgan thought of that moment earlier this week. Sitting inside O’Brate Stadium on Sunday, he watched Standlee — now a 6-foot-4, 223-pound man with a massive beard — deliver for Oklahoma State in a big situation yet again.
The Cowboys were down two starting pitchers last weekend due to injuries. They were swept by No. 3-ranked Texas in Saturday’s doubleheader, extending their Big 12 skid to five straight. They needed a win.
That meant turning to Standlee — their closer — for a career-high 117 pitches over six strong innings for the win.
“When he went to the mound it was like we’re probably going to do it because Brett’s on the mound,” OSU super senior outfielder Cade Cabbiness said. “That’s the confidence you have.”
As the Cowboys look to regain their Big 12 form against Bedlam rival OU beginning Friday night in Stillwater, there remains uncertainty in who will take the mound for the three-game series that shifts to Norman on Saturday and Sunday.
But they do know they will turn to Standlee as needed.
He was built for the big moments.
“He’s a luxury,” OSU coach Josh Holliday said. “That’s a pretty versatile pitcher. Not many guys have the ability to be two places at once, if you will. He can be in the bullpen in Day 1 and Day 2, like he was last weekend and when we didn’t get to him with a chance to win we were able to start him.
“That’s probably more to ask of him than anyone else, but at the same time he’s up to the task. We’ll see how the first two games go and read the series by Sunday.”
Sunday’s start was Standlee’s first since Feb. 18, 2020, when he allowed one run over seven strong innings at Arizona State. He appeared as a reliever 22 times since, locking down the closer role. His highest pitch total this season was 34.
ut he still spent the offseason and early spring practices training as a starting pitcher. The idea was to turn to Standlee as needed.
It’s something he started when he was playing travel ball. Then, he’d pitch one game. He might catch the next one or play in the infield.
“Kinda just being able to grow up and play more than one position or whatever has kinda taught me to be able to control or feel how my arm’s feeling,” Standlee said, “and just judge it and know my body a little better.”
Standlee has grown into the Cowboys’ leader. He’s a fun personality. His long beard shows just that.
“He can’t get rid of that thing,” Cabbiness said.
But he’s also willing to step up in whatever situation he’s needed. He started that seven years ago.
He will continue that this weekend.
“When the weekend comes around, whatever I need to do I’m ready,” Standlee said.
