Now that we are deep into October, it is time for the superlatives to come out.

MLB Pipeline recently came out with their list for each organization’s Prospects of the Year.

While there weren’t any players with ties to Oklahoma that were named Player of the Year, there were three Sooner State alums named the Pitching Prospect of the Year for their respective organizations: Payton Tolle (Bethany HS, ’21), Boston Red Sox; Jake Bennett (Bixby HS ’19/OU ’20-’22), Washington Nationals; Jaxon Wiggins (Roland HS, ’20), Chicago Cubs.

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Payton Tolle (Bethany High School, 2021), Boston Red Sox

After 2 seasons at Wichita State, Tolle transferred to TCU for the 2024 season where he focused on pitching only and named the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year.

Taken in the 2nd round of the 2024 MLB Draft, Tolle didn’t make his pro ball debut until 2025. Starting the season at (A+) Greenville, Tolle was promoted to (AA) Portland in June, then to (AAA) Worcester in early August. On August 29, Tolle made his MLB debut for the Red Sox and stayed with the team through the AL Wild Card round in the postseason.

He is the Red Sox #2 overall prospect and the #28 overall prospect in the MLB.

Here is what MLB Pipeline said about Tolle”

Tolle was a revelation in his pro debut, posting a 3.04 ERA, .203 opponent average and 133 strikeouts in 91 2/3 innings between High-A, Double-A and Triple-A before joining the Red Sox. Among Minor Leaguers with at least 90 innings, he ranked second in strikeout minus walk rate (30 percent), third in strikeout rate (37 percent) and fourth in K/BB ratio (5.8).

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Jake Bennett (Bixby HS, 2019/OU, 2020-2022), Washington Nationals

Bennett looks to take the same path as another Sooner State alum, Cade Cavalli. Like Cavalli, Bennett is a Bixby Spartan grad, then he pitched for the Sooners before being drafted by the Nationals in the 2nd round of the 2022 MLB Draft.

Also like Cavalli, Bennett has had injury issues in his professional career. Bennett did not pitch at all in 2024 while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Bennett had an outstanding 2025 as he showed no signs of issues from the TJ and he is now the Nationals #10 overall prospect.

Here is what MLB Pipeline has to say about Bennett:

The 6-foot-6 southpaw missed all of 2024 as he rehabbed from Tommy John surgery and displayed little rust in his return season, posting a 2.27 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 64 strikeouts and only 19 walks in 75 1/3 innings. He was the only Nats Minor Leaguer to post a sub-3 ERA over 70 innings or more. Bennett will look to continue to build on that success in the Arizona Fall League.

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Jaxon Wiggins (Roland HS, 2020), Chicago Cubs

Wiggins is perhaps the most interesting prospect on this list. After graduating from Roland HS, the right hander applied his trade at the University of Arkansas. However, he missed the entire 2023 season with Tommy John surgery.

Despite missing the 2023 season, Wiggins was drafted in the 2nd round compensatory picks (68 overall) by the Cubs. You could say that Wiggins has been overshadowed in the Cubs’ organization somewhat by another OK Preps alum in Cade Horton, but Wiggins has shown the last 2 seasons he is a top prospect.

The Cubs have been extra careful with the amount of Wiggins’ usage only pitching him in 59 innings in 2024 and 78 innings in 2025. His performance was so good in 2025, Wiggins was named to the MLB All Star Futures Games, but before the event, the Cubs withdrew him being careful with the amount of innings pitched.

Wiggins had such a good 2025, he started the season in High A, moved to AA, then ultimately (AAA) Iowa in early September.

He is the Cubs’ #3 overall prospect and #67 overall of the 30 teams.

Here is what MLB Pipeline had to say about Wiggins:

Wiggins emerged as the best pitching prospect in the Cubs system, compiling a 2.19 ERA, .161 opponent average and 97 strikeouts in 78 innings while moving from High-A to Triple-A.

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