Oklahoma State baseball: Tracking Cowboys' arrivals, departures via transfer portal
Jacob UnruhThe Oklahoman
STILLWATER — Even with key components of a stout lineup set to return, Oklahoma State’s baseball team will look to a strong signing class and the transfer portal to boost the roster this summer.
The Cowboys went 41-20 and won a share of the regular-season Big 12 title this spring. They made it to the conference title game as well before hosting a NCAA Regional Tournament in O’Brate Stadium for a second straight season.
But that was where the season stopped.
First baseman David Mendham and right-handed pitchers Ben Abram and Bayden Root all exhausted their eligibility and will not return next season. OSU stars righty Juaron Watts-Brown, two-way star Nolan McLean, shortstop Marcus Brown, right-hander Brian Hendry and star second baseman Roc Riggio were all selected in the MLB Draft.
Catcher Chase Adkison, who had a breakout season, signed as an undrafted free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals. Root ultimately signed with the Milwaukee Brewers.
2023 MLB Draft tracker:Where players with Oklahoma connections are headed
Coach Josh Holliday and Co. are tasked with filling those losses and retooling to make an even deeper run next season.
Here is a look at the roster movement for the Cowboys this summer:
Incoming players for OSU baseball
Here is a look at each player the Cowboys have received commitments from through the transfer portal or junior college:Ethan Bosacker, RHP, Xavier
The Cowboys landed a huge pickup on July 5 with the addition of the 6-foot-2, 210-pound senior. Bosacker struck out 101 batters and walked only 29 in 98 innings in the spring, primarily working as Xavier’s Friday night ace. He had just a 3.49 ERA. After missing 2022 with an injury, his first outing since was seven dominant innings against Oregon, an eventual super regional team. He capped the season off with a complete-game shutout of Eastern Illinois in the NCAA Regional Tournament. Bosacker should be an immediate boost to the Cowboys’ weekend rotation, bringing big-game experience, should he join the program. He was drafted in the 13th round by the Kansas City Royals.
Robert Cranz, RHP, Wichita State
A 6-foot-3 reliever, Cranz had a strong sophomore season with the Shockers. In 19 appearances he was 1-3 with a 3.98 ERA and a save. He allowed 29 hits and struck out 43 while walking just 12 in 31 2/3 innings. He did appear twice against the Cowboys, allowing three total runs. A Keller (Texas) High product, Cranz adds solid depth to a bullpen that was at times a weakness in the spring.Lane Forsythe, IF, Mississippi State
A talented shortstop, Forsythe spent the past three seasons with the Bulldogs and started 130 of 145 games. His best season was his freshman year when he started 58 games at shortstop and was named to the College World Series All-Tournament team as Mississippi State won the national championship. Last season, he batted .248 with two home runs, 14 RBIs and four stolen bases. Known primarily for his glove, Forsythe could help solidify the middle of the infield should the Cowboys lose both Riggio and shortstop Marcus Brown to the MLB Draft.
Sam Garcia, LHP, High Point
The 6-foot-3 lefty had a strong finish to his sophomore season, joining High Point’s weekend rotation in late March and posting one of the best earned-run averages in the Big South. Garcia had a 1.94 ERA in 16 games, including eight starts, which was second in the conference. He led the conference with just 13 walks. His 0.98 WHIP was second in the Big South and ranked 19th nationally. Garcia helps fill a huge need for the Cowboys’ rotation. He could slot in for a weekend spot or bounce around as needed.Bryson Hudgens, RHP, McNeese State
A talented right-hander, Hudgens missed the majority of the spring while recovering from Tommy John surgery. But when he returned, he was impressive. He allowed just five earned runs and posted a 2.81 ERA while throwing 16 innings over five starts. He struck out 11 and walked three while allowing a .246 opponents’ batting average. Like Garcia, Hudgens could slide into the weekend rotation for the Cowboys, who likely return only Carson Benge from that group.Aaron Weber, RHP, OU
OSU's run on pitching in the portal continued on July 18 with the addition of the 6-foot-4 right-hander who spent just one season with the Sooners. A former Edmond Memorial star, Weber made 19 appearances last spring with uneven results. He had a 9.50 ERA with 22 strikeouts and 13 walks. But the stuff is there. He was dominant at Cowley (Kansas) College, where he was undefeated in the rotation and threw a no-hitter.2023 Oklahoma State baseball signing class
Here is a complete list of graduating high school seniors and junior college players who have signed with the Cowboys:Name, School, Pos.
- Charlie Carter, Little Rock (Ark.) Christian HS, C
- Xavier Casserilla, Seminole State, INF
- Max Galvin, Miami Dade (Fla.) Junior College, OF
- Brian Holiday, Central Florida Junior College, RHP
- Cole Johnson, Lake Travis (Texas) HS, 1B/OF
- Blake Julius, Mansfield Legacy (Texas) HS, RHP
- Max Knight, Bixby, LHP
- Donovan LaSalle, Barbe (La.) HS, OF/INF
- Austin Lemon, Heritage Hall, OF
- Avery Ortiz, Tulsa Union, INF
- Kyler Proctor, Silo, INF
- Kollin Ritchie, Atoka, INF
- Weston Rouse, Fort Gibson, LHP
- Addison Smith, Liberty (Mo.) HS, INF
- Tate Smith, Eaton (Colo.) HS, RHP
