Several baseball players who played high school baseball, college baseball, or both in the state of Oklahoma are giving it a go in professional baseball.
This offseason we will take a look at how they did in 2023 and in some cases, how they’ve been doing overall or their or their prospect for the future.
We will be looking at the players who are on an affiliated baseball team’s roster – those in a MLB team’s organization.
Let’s look at the players in AL Central organizations.
For the AL East players click here: AL East
*Slash line: AVG/OBP/SLG
Chicago White Sox
Affiliates
- AAA – Charlotte Knights
- AA – Birmingham Barons
- High A (A+) – Winston-Salem Dash
- A – Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
Players
- Lane Ramsey, Chicago White Sox, RHP, Putnam City North HS ’15/OU ’17-18
2023 Stats: (CWS) G 21, 20 IP, 1-0, 5.85 ERA, 18Ks, 9 BB; (CLT) G 32, 36 IP, 4-4, 5.50 ERA, 48 Ks 27 BB
It’s easy to look at a relief pitcher’s ERA and say, “It’s over five. He must suck.” When in reality a reliever could have one bad outing out of ten that balloons his ERA. Looking at Ramsey’s game logs indicates that’s what’s happened with Ramsey.
He’s made his way through the White Sox’s system steadily and was part of the late season call ups. Looks like Chicago likes what they see in Ramsey and I’m sure he’ll have a shot to make the team in the Spring.
- JB Olson, Charlotte Knights (AAA), RHP, OU ’16-“17
2023 Stats: G 15, GS 1, 28.2 IP, 1-1, 10.99 ERA, 21 Ks, 12 BB
The former Sooner had a rough 2023 season before it was cut short due to injury. Olson was put on the Development List on May 27 before being put on the IL for the rest of the season on June 5.
Cleveland Guardians
Affiliates
- AAA – Columbus Clippers
- AA – Akron Rubber Ducks
- High A (A+) – Lake County Captains
- A – Lynchburg Hillcats
Players
- Ramon Laureano, Cleveland Guardians, OF, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, ’13-’14
2023 Stats: G 105, .224/.304/.371, .675 OPS, 9 HR, 35 RBI
Laureano started the season with the Oakland A’s before he was claimed off waivers by the White Sox on August 7. He’s played in parts of the last 6 seasons (all with Oakland until this season). Laureano’s best season was in 2019 when he slashed .288/.340/.521 (.860 OPS) with 24 HR and 67 RBI in 123 games.
Detroit Tigers
Affiliates
- AAA – Toledo Mud Hens
- AA – Erie SeaWolves
- High A (A+) – West Michigan Whitecaps
- A – Lakeland Flying Tigers
Players
- Trevin Michael, Erie SeaWolves (AA), RHP, Piedmont HS ’18/NOC Tonkawa ’19/ OU ’22
2023 Stats: G 42, GS 1, 49.2 IP, 5-5, 3.44 ERA, 67 Ks, 26 BB
Michael ascended through the Tigers’ farm system in 2023 spending most of his time at West Michigan Whitecaps (A+). There Michael converted 5 out of 6 save opportunities and had 5 holds. He had 50 Ks against only 14 BB at West Michigan.
Michael was called up to Erie late in the season on September 12. Hopefully he can start there next season and work his way up the system even more.
- Andrew Navigato, Erie SeaWolves (AA), SS, Oklahoma State ’19
2023 Stats: G 69, .280/.333/.505, OPS .838, 11 HR, 52 RBI
Navigato started the season on a rehab assignment at Lakeland (A), but he quickly was assigned to Erie. Unfortunately, Navigato’s good season was cut short again as he missed the last months due to injury.
- Jackson Jobe, West Michigan Whitecaps (A+), RHP, Heritage Hall HS ’21
2023 Stats: G 16, GS 16, 64 IP, 2-4, ERA 2.81, 84 Ks, 6 BB
Jobe is the 3rd top prospect from Oklahoma (behind Jackson Holliday and Cade Horton).
It was announced in mid March that Jobe would be sidelined for 3-6 months with lumbar spine inflammation. He made his season debut on June 17 for the Tigers’ rookie team. He worked his way up to A ball then spent most of the rest of the season at A+ in West Michigan. Jobe did have 1 start at AA Erie at the end of the season.
The #3 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft is a high priority for the Tigers as he is #54 overall prospect, #9 RHP overall prospect, and #3 prospect in the Tigers’ system according to MLB.com.
He also played in the Arizona Fall League.
- Angel Reyes, West Michigan Whitecaps (A+), RHP, Western OK State ’16-’17/USAO ’18
2023 Stats: G 34, GS 4, 56 IP, 6-3, 2 SV, 4.50 ERA, 45 Ks, 26 BB
Reyes was drafted in the 19th round of the 2018 Draft and has played every season with the Tigers never getting above A+.
Reyes’ career stats (Parts of 5 seasons): G 166, GS 7, 16-12, 11 SV, 3.78 ERA, 227 Ks, 117 BB
- Dom Johnson, West Michigan Whitecaps (A+), OF, Edmond Santa Fe HS ’20/OSU ’21
2023 Stats: G 97, .217/.326/.320. OPS .646, HR 5, RBI 39
Drafted in the 13th round of the 2022 MLB Draft, Johnson spent the last of the 2022 season and started the 2023 season with the Tigers’ A ball team in Lakeland, FL until he was promoted to the High A, West Michigan team in June.
- Peyton Graham, Lakeland Flying Tigers (A), 3B, Oklahoma Sooners ’20-’22
2023 Stats: G 57, .232/.340/.357, OPS .697, HR 4, RBI 29
Graham had his season cut short because of injury. After June 28, Graham saw action in only 3 games with the Tigers’ Rookie League team. Before that, in 13 games in June, it looked like Graham was started to figure things out as his slash line was .300/.364/.400.
Graham is the 16th top prospect for the Detroit Tigers according to MLB.com.
- Brady Cerkownyk, FCL Tigers (Rookie), C, Connors State College ’23
2023 Stats: G 2, AB 6, 1 H, 1 R, 4 RBI
Cerkownyk was drafted b the Tigers in the 15th round of this year’s draft. The Tigers felt so highly of him, he signed for a $400,000 signing bonus. That is the equivalent of a clot in the middle of the 5th round.
Cerkownyk was dominant in his one year in Warner. This is what I wrote about him when he was drafted:
From Toronto, Canada to Warner, OK. Cerkownyk burst on the scene in 2023 as the best overall hitter in all of JUCO baseball. He led the nation in RBIs (107), total bases (199), and SLG % (.985). His 27 HRs were 2nd in the nation as was his batting avg (.470). Cerkownyk’s OBP of .555 was 8th in the country.
Cerkownyk was also the only JUCO player nationally that was on the midseason watchlist for the Golden Spikes Award.
https://soonerstatebsb.substack.com/p/several-players-from-oklahoma-selected
Kansas City Royals
Affiliates
- AAA – Omaha Storm Chasers
- AA – Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- High A (A+) – Quad Cities River Bandits
- A – Columbia Fireflies
- Taylor Hearn, Kansas City Royals, LHP, Oklahoma Baptist University ’15
2023 Stats: G 13, 15 IP, 0-0, 11.40 ERA, 15 Ks, 8 BB
Hearn made his MLB debut in 2019 with the Texas Rangers and played for them until the Rangers designated him for assignment on July 19. The Braves traded for Hearn on July 24. Hearn was in Atlanta less than a week until the Braves sent him to Kansas City in a trade.
Hearn pitched for the Royals throughout August, before he was sent down to Omaha to finish the season. Hearn was recalled to the Royals on October 2.
After making his debut in April, 2019, Hearn has played in parts of 5 seasons in the Major Leagues. His career stats:
G 101, GS 25, 237 IP, 12-15, 5.35 ERA, 227 Ks, 108 BB
- Jonathan Heasley, Kansas City Royals, RHP, Oklahoma State ’17-’18
2023 Stats: G 12, 15.0 IP, 0-0, 7.20 ERA, 9 Ks, 2 BB
Heasley spent the 2023 season moving from KC to Omaha a few times. He pitched out of the bullpen in ’23 even though Heasley had 21 starts in ’22 and 3 in ’21 for the Royals. In ’22 his stat line was:
G 21, GS 21, 104 IP, 4-10, 5.28 ERA, 70 Ks, 47 BB (Heasley also had 7 quality starts in ’22)
- David Sandlin, Quad Cities River Bandits (A+), RHP, Owasso HS ’19, Eastern OK State ’20-’21, Oklahoma ’22
2023 Stats: G 14, GS 14, 66.2 IP, 4-2, 3.51 ERA, 87 Ks, 18 BB
Sandlin started the season at Columbia (A) before being promoted to Quad Cities on June 20. Sandlin was having a really good year before is was cut short with an oblique strain. He was put on the 7 day IL on July 3 then transferred to the 60 day IL on July 25 ending his season.
Sandlin is the Royals’ 19th top prospect according to MLB.com.
- Chazz Martinez, Columbia Fireflies (A), LHP, Oklahoma ’22
2023 Stats: G 39, 64.0 IP, 6-8, 2 SV, 4.08 ERA, 86 Ks, 31 BB
- Jacob Widener, Columbia Fireflies (A), LHP, Oral Roberts ’22-’23
2023 Stats: G 9, 8.0 IP, 0-0, 9.00 ERA, 11 Ks, 2 BB
Widener was taken in the 9th round of the 2023 draft. His 6’7″ 235 lbs frame is eye opening. After 3 appearances for the rookie club, Widener was promoted to Columbia (A). His 12.4 K/9 IP average is impressive.
- Brett Squires, Columbia Fireflies (A), 3B, Oklahoma ’21-’22
2023 Stats: G 122, .263/.381/.430, OPS .811, 15 HR, 69 RBI
Squires signed as an undrafted free agent with the Royals after the 2022 MLB Draft. It’s safe to say that his solid season in ’23 should keep him around the Royals’ system. Maybe a promotion is in his future if he keeps it up.
Minnesota Twins
Affiliates
- AAA – St Paul Saints
- AA – Wichita Wind Surge
- High A (A+) – Cedar Rapids Kernels
- A – Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Dallas Keuchel, Minnesota Twins, LHP, Bishop Kelley HS ’06
2023 Stats: G 10, GS 6, 37.2 IP, 2-1, 5.97 ERA, 25 Ks, 18 BB
At age 35, Keuchel is past his prime and in the twilight of his career. But when he was in his prime, Keuchel was one of the best pitchers in all of baseball. He won the AL Cy Young Award in 2015 while pitching for the Astros and finished 5th in MVP voting that same year. He’s been to 2 All Star Games and has a total of 5 Gold Gloves (which ranks him 8th all time among pitchers).
- Ricardo Velez, Cedar Rapids Kernels (A+), RHP, Connors State ’17/USAO ’19-’21
2023 Stats: G 27, 39.2 IP, 6-3, 2.95 ERA, 51 Ks, 15 BB
Velez started the ’23 season with the Twins’ rookie team before he was quickly promoted to Fort Myers (A) where he spent most of the season. He was then promoted to Cedar Rapids on August 28 where he finished the season.
- Carson McCusker, Cedar Rapids Kernels (A+), LF, Oklahoma St ’18-’21
2023 Stats: G 46, .264/.326/.540, OPS .866, 14 HR, 36 RBI
McCusker went undrafted and gritted it out in the independent Frontier League since ’21 until he was signed to a minor league contract by the Twins on June 29, 2023. After 25 games at Fort Myers (A), the Twins promoted McCusker to Cedar Rapids on August 5. With the solid season McCusker had in 2023, it’s probably a safe bet the Twins (or another team) will have a spot for him in 2024.
Sooner State Baseball Report 
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