It’s hard to believe that the 2024 Fall Baseball Season is almost upon us, but that is the case as August 12 is the official start of the regular season.
Here at Sooner State Baseball Report it is our goal to provide as much coverage as we can. One way we are trying to do that is preview as many teams as we can before the start of the season.
We’ve sent out a questionnaire to many of the teams that play fall ball in hope that they will give us an honest outlook on their upcoming season. We’ve had a few responses so far.
Today’s team: Wright City Lumberjax
Class: A
Fall 2023 Record: 26-8 (State Tournament Qualifier)
Spring 2024 Record: 25-5 ( State Tournament Qualifier)
Head Coach: Kyle Butler
Head Coaching Experience: 16th year (12th at Wright City)
Returning Starters and Top Players
Wright City is loaded this year as they return 7 starters from a squad that went to both state tournaments last year and went a combined 51-13 in the fall and spring.
Rayner Beene is a senior shortstop who leads the Lumberjax by example on and off the field. The Murray State College commit had a .419 average at the plate last year and a sub 1.00 ERA on the mound over 28 innings.
Another senior, Kase Lindly, is a CF/P is the “best outfielder” that Coach Butler says he’s ever coached. He is an “offensive threat that can hit for power, bunt, and run.” He’s had some arm trouble, but he’s put in the work this summer and is ready to help on the mound this fall.
Brody Guest is the “backbone for the defense” and is a “big part of our success” according to Coach Butler.
Kayden Cummings is an athletic 2nd baseman who “has all the tools” and will pitch for the Jax as well.
At the hot corner is 3 year starter, Kade Gaskey. He provides “a ton of experience” defensively and improved at the plate. He hit 5 bombs in the spring and led the Jax in RBI.
Dakota Billy is an OF/1B that also plays multiple positions. He hits in the middle of the lineup. Wright City will depend on his arm in big games as he has a ton of experience on the mound.
Jaxon Hill is the unsung player for the Jax. The right fielder is “consistent in everything he does.” He’s a tough out from the left side.
Braxton Hickman is a senior that has “a lot of power and strong arm.” While providing the depth on the mound, Hickman will bat in the middle of the lineup.
Outlook
Wright City has been one of the most consistent teams in Class A over the last few years. They’ve made the last 3 state tournaments (Spring ’23/’24 and Fall ’23). They look to get back to the state tournament this fall and will lean into their pitching and defense.
As with most other teams, the Jax will need some young guys coming into the program to “step up and compete.” If they can get that along with some improvement offensively there is no reason Wright City can’t get back to the state tournament and compete for the state championship.
Schedule
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