18. OKLAHOMA STATE

2008 RECORD. Overall: 44-18. (Advanced to NCAA regional). Conference: 18-9 / 2nd in Big 12.

Coach: Frank Anderson (199-108, 6^th season).

First Game, 2009: Feb. 20 vs No. 82 Brigham Young.

 

OVERVIEW: Oklahoma State lost plenty of offense when the draft claimed five regulars, including SS Jordy Mercer (.330-14-60), 3B Matt Hague (.360-12-57) and 1B Rebel Ridling (.321-18-67). But finding runs is rarely a problem for the Cowboys, who hit .326 and drilled 89 homers, and shouldn’t be in 2009. The real strength of this year’s team may be pitching as LHPs Andrew Oliver and Tyler Lyons, both juniors, could form the top 1-2 starting duo in the country. Oliver’s status was in limbo with the 2009 season little more than a week away because of his dealings with agents that led to his being suspended last year, just as Oklahoma State began NCAA tournament play. The NCAA had attempted to suspend Oliver for up to 70 percent of this season, as well, but an appeal on Oliver’s behalf overturned the NCAA’s ruling—and it appears now that Oliver will be available all of 2009. That will be a shot in the arm for the Cowboys as Oliver is expected to be an early first-round pick. Junior RHP Tyler Blandford gives the Oklahoma State rotation a third quality arm. His raw stuff is on par with Oliver and Lyons, as he was clocked between 93-97 mph during the summer and fall.

 

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

C: Eric Walker, Jr. (.372-5-65 at Grayson County, Texas , CC).

1B: Dean Green (4), So. (.319-5-24).

2B: Davis Duren , So. (.452-0-9).

3B: Tyrone Hambly, Sr. (.277-6-27).

SS: Thomas Belza, So. (*.386-2-34).

LF: Neil Medchill (3), Jr. (.349-11-41).

CF: Dusty Harvard (1), Jr. (.176-0-3).

RF: Michael Dabbs, Sr. (.291-3-29).

DH: Doug Kroll, Jr. (.419-19-77 at Iowa Western CC).

1/Starter: Andrew Oliver, Jr. (7-2, *2.20, 98 IP/*96 SO).

2/Starter: Tyler Lyons, Jr. (*12-2, 3.31, *108 IP/92 SO).

3/Starter: Tyler Blandford, Jr. (4-6, 6.23, 60 IP/50 SO).

Closer: Randy McCurry, Fr. (HS—Tupelo, Okla).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Dusty Harvard.

Best Overall Hitter: Neil Medchill.

Best Power Hitter: Doug Kroll.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Dean Green.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Rafael Thomas (6.4).

Best Base Runner: Dusty Harvard.

Best Defender: Thomas Belza.

Best Infield Arm: Mark Ginther.

Best Outfield Arm: Michael Dabbs.

Best Fastball (velocity): Tyler Blandford (97 mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Tyler Lyons.

Best Changeup: Tyler Lyons.

Best Command: Tyler Lyons.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Mark Ginther, if. Ginther, a 48^th-round pick of the Philadelphia Phillies, could move into the Cowboys lineup at second base, third or DH, and projects at third base in the future. He’s an excellent all-around athlete who should be able to contribute immediately with the bat.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Thomas Belza, ss. Belza came out of nowhere in 2008 to become the Cowboys starting second baseman in late March. He went on to lead the Big 12 in hitting at .386, while commiting only five errors. The Ohio native shifts over to his natural shortstop position as a sophomore. Based on his performance to date, Belza ranks as OSU’s best prospect in the 2010 draft class, but athletic OF Rafael Thomas and sweet-swinging 1B Dean Green have a higher upside—and could become more premium picks than Belza if their talent evolves this season. Talented freshman RHP Randy McCurry, slated to close for the Cowboys, could also move past Belza as he will be age-eligible for next year’s draft.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Andrew Oliver, lhp. Oliver’s legal issues, stemming from his dealings with agents, have overshadowed his status as one of the top pitching prospects in the 2009 class. He works consistently in the 92-94 mph range and has a power curveball that freezes hitters. Oliver’s command improved significantly as a sophomore.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Tyrone Hambly, 3b: The Australian native originally signed with OSU, and returned to the school last year with a reputation as one of the top JC hitters in the country. His selection as a 15^th-round pick of the Baltimore Orioles in the 2007 draft only validated that. But he struggled with his consistency against D-I pitching. A big year from the 24-year-old could translate to a big year for OSU. Despite his relatively advanced age for a college player, Hambly isn’t even the oldest player on the OSU roster as slugging junior 1B/DH Doug Kroll, who hit 37 homers in two years at Iowa Western after spending two years on a Mormon mission, is 12 days older.

--DAVID RAWNSLEY