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.
- For a look at the AL East clubs, click here: AL East
- For a look at the AL Central clubs, click here: AL Central
- For a look at the AL West clubs, click here: AL West
- For a look at the NL East clubs, click here: NL East
- For a look at the NL Central clubs, click here: NL Central
*Slash line: AVG/OBP/SLB
Arizona Diamondbacks
Affiliates
- AAA – Reno Aces
- AA – Amarillo Sod Poodles
- High-A (A+) – Hillsboro Hops
- A – Visalia Rawhide
Players
NO PLAYERS WITH OKLAHOMA TIES ARE IN THE DIAMONDBACKS ORGANIZATION
Colorado Rockies
Affiliates
- AAA – Albuquerque Isotopes
- AA – Hartford Yard Goats
- High-A (A+) – Spokane indians
- A – Fresno Grizzlies
Players
- Colin Simpson, Hartford Yard Goats (AA), C, Edmond Memorial HS, ’15/Oklahoma State, ’16-’19
2023 Stats: G 66, .221/.309/.385, OPS .694, 6 HR, 24 RBI
The Cowboy alum was drafted by the Rockies in 29th round in 2019 and has moved up each level of the minor leagues each year (minus the 2020 Covid year). His best season was at High-A in 2022 where he slashes .300/.370/.530 for an impressive OPS of .900 in 95 games. He also his 17 HR and drove in 60 runs that season.
- Braden Carmichael, Spokane Indians (A+), LHP, Oklahoma, ’21-’23
2023 Stats: G 5, 6.1 IP, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9 K, 2 BB
Carmichael signed with the Rockies as an undrafted free agent after the ’23 draft. In 2023, he was an All-Big 12 1st Team and Academic All-Big 12 honoree. He went 7-1 with 62 Ks in 77 IP in 18 games (11 starts) for the Sooners in 2023.
- Luke Taggart, Spokane Indians (A+), RHP, Oklahoma, ’21
2023 Stats: DID NOT PITCH DUE TO INJURY
Taggart signed as an undrafted free agent with the Rockies in 2021. He had a solid 2022 campaign before being out all of 2023 with injury. His 2022 stats: G 22, 32.0 IP, 2-1, ERA 2.53, 44 Ks, 8 BB (all at A+, Spokane)
Taggart hasn’t pitched since June, 2022, but he was activated in November, 2023 and should get back on the mound in 2024.
- Cade Denton, Fresno Grizzlies (A), RHP, Oral Roberts, ’21-’23
2023 Stats: G 8, 10 IP, 0-0, ERA 18.00, 12 K, 3 BB
The Golden Eagle was drafted in the 6th round in the ’23 Draft. Denton’s ERA was inflated due to a bad outing in his last appearance of the season.
Denton was the best closer in college baseball in 2023. He was the NCBWA Stopper of the Year and made 6 All American teams (4 1st team). He was the Stillwater Regional Most Outstanding Player and the Summit League Pitcher of the Year.
Denton is the Rockies’ 29th rated prospect according to MLB.com.
- Javier Ramos, Fresno Grizzlies (A), RHP, Vian HS ’19, Seminole State College, ’20, Oklahoma, ’21-’22
2023 Stats: G 23, 25 IP, 1-0, 5.76 ERA, 31 K, 19 BB
Ramos was an 18th round pick in 2022. He didn’t pitch in ’23 until June in Rookie ball before being called up to Class A, Spokane in July.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Affiliates
- AAA – Oklahoma City Dodgers
- AA – Tulsa Drillers
- High-A (A+) – Great Lakes Loons
- A – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Players
- Justin Wrobleski, Great Lakes Loons (A+), LHP, Oklahoma State, ’21
2023 Stats: G 25, GS 23, 102.1 IP, 4-4, 2.90 ERA, 109 Ks, 35 BB
Drafted in the 11th round of the 2021 draft, Wrobleski got his first true full season in 2023. He had Tommy John surgery and pitched in only 13 games (10 starts) in 2022.
Wrobleski did not disappoint in 2023 and is rated as the Dodgers’ 20th prospect according to MLB.com.
- Max Hewitt, Great Lakes Loons (A+), SS, Connors State, ’17/Oklahoma State, ’18-’21
2023 Stats: G 35, .212/.331/.279, OPS .610, 10 RBI
Hewitt was a signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dodgers in 2021. He started the 2023 season on the Tulsa Drillers roster but didn’t see any action as he was put on the Development List. He was assigned to Great lakes in June.
San Diego Padres
Affiliates
- AAA – El Paso Chihuahuas
- AA – San Antonio Missions
- High-A (A+) – Fort Wayne TinCaps
- A – Lake Elsinore Storm
Players
- Tim Hill, San Diego Padres, (LHP), Bacone College
2023 Stats: G 48, 44.1 IP, 1-4, 5.48 ERA, 26 K, 14 BB
Hill was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 32nd (remember those rounds?) in 2014. After making his MLB debut in 2018 and pitching for the Royals the rest of that season and the 2019 season, Hill joined the Padres in 2020. He has played parts of 6 MLB seasons with the Royals and Padres.
This past season, Hill was one of the lefties the Padres turned to out of the bullpen. However, he battle injuries the last 2 months of the season and made only 4 appearances in August and September.
Hill was respected enough that he was the Padres’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award in 2023.
After being activated off the 60 day IL in November, Hill elected free agency.
- Griffin Doersching, Fort Wayne TinCaps (A+), 1B, Oklahoma State, ’22
2023 Stats: G 107, .241/.362/.427, OPS .789, 15 HR, 67 RBI
Doersching was an 8th round pick by the Padres in the 2022 draft. He started the ’23 season at Class A, Lake Elisnore before being promoted to Fort Wayne in August. In a short sample size of 14 games, Doersching slashed .294/.357/.549 (OPS .906) with 4 HR and 12 RBI.
San Francisco Giants
Affiliates
- AAA – Sacramento River Cats
- AA – Richmond Flying Squirrels
- High A (A+) – Eugene Emeralds
- A – San Jose Giants
Players
- Brett Standlee, Eugene Emeralds (A+), RHP, Jenks HS ’17/Oklahoma State ’18-’21
2023 Stats: G 39, GS 2, 75.0 IP, 3-4, ERA 4.68, 72 Ks, 24 BB
Standlee was drafted in the 17th round of the 2021 Draft. He’s spent the last 2 full seasons in Eugene.
As a reliever, he has a good strikeout rate (142 Ks in 137 IP) over those 2 seasons along with a good K/BB rate (142/49).
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