Five Returning Cowboys Crucial to Oklahoma State’s 2018 Baseball Success

In the first real sign that 2018 is flying by, Oklahoma State baseball gets going this Friday night in San Marcos, Texas. The Cowboys start off with a weekend road series against Texas State.

Following an injury-riddled but mostly disappointing regular season, the Cowboys ended 2017 on a high note. After losing six straight and eight of nine, the Pokes punched their rain-delayed ticket to an 8th-seed bid in the Big 12 Tournament with an impromptu doubleheader Bedlam sweep. OSU then proceeded to rattle off four straight and claim just its second Big 12 Tournament title before an early 0-2 exit in the Fayetteville Regional.

OSU said goodbye to its Nos. 1 and 2 in hits and RBIs in the Garrets (McCain and Benge). Gone is OSU’s ace in Tyler Buffett as well as quality role players like Ryan Sluder and Dustin Williams.

But Josh Holliday expects his team to ride some of the momentum it earned late and learn from the struggles of last season. And that’s due to several returning upperclassmen ready to take on strong leadership roles and a slew of underclassmen who gained early experience during last year’s up-and-down ride.

“We had a number of young players last year get involved in a positive way,” Holliday said of his rising returners. “Those guys are a year older, a year better.”

Let’s look at five of those returning Cowboys who I think could have the biggest impact on OSU’s success in 2018.

Ryan Cash – INF

With Oklahoma State losing a huge part of its lineup in McCain, Benge and Sluder, the sophomore who started 35 games at second base last year will be leaned on heavily.

Cash shared the team lead with 10 sac bunts in his first year and lived on base, leading all returning Cowboys with a .413 OB percentage. He is second among returners in batting average (.274) and tied for OSU’s second longest hitting streak (12) behind only McCain (13).

Cash comes off of a strong finish in the Big 12 Tournament, hitting .375 (6 for 16) with three RBIs in four games which earned him All-Tournament honors.

Jon Littell – OF

A veteran bat in the rotation and in the outfield, Litell is one of four seniors on Holliday’s young roster. As a junior, Litell had a 12-game hitting streak of his own to tie Cash for the longest among returning Cowboys. He batted .262 with nine multi-hit games and eight multi-RBI games, and four home runs.

Littell saw most of his starts in right field but appears slated to take over left field duties vacated by McCain. With both of his outfield mates (McCain and Sluder) departed, Litell will be looked at to fill a leadership role both on and off the field.

Holliday talked about what Litell brings in that regard and what he brings to the lineup.

“Jon Litell possesses leadership qualities,” said Holliday. “Jon’s a very consistent, hard-working person. I really admire the way he goes about his business. He’s very consistent, and that’s a strong characteristic to have in a locker room. I think Jon’s in the best place he’s ever been physically and with his swing.”

Colin Simpson – C/OF

“Homer” Simpson earned that nickname with a team-leading 11 bombs while hitting a .274 (leading all returners) and added 40 RBIs in 2017.

After Travis Wacker went down early with a broken finger, Simpson assumed catching duties, starting 29 games from behind the bag as well as 17 at DH. Regardless of his designation, the Cowboys will absolutely need his bat in 2018.

Carson Teel – LHP

Teel was drafted in the 27th round by the Boston Red Sox after a sophomore season in which 25 of this bullpen-leading 28 appearances came in relief. He had three saves and five wins. He held a 3.06 ERA and was behind only Tyler Buffett with 77 strikeouts.

While Holliday wasn’t ready to set anything in stone this early as far as pitching rotations go, be sure Teel will be a big part of it. He’s got the ability to be OSU’s ace.

“He really finished last season strong,” said Holliday. “He was one of the most trusted guys we had in our entire pitching staff. His outlook and energy for what we’re doing is through the roof. It’s contagious the way that impacts the guys around him on a daily basis.”

C.J. Varela – RHP

There are several guys I could have used for this last spot but I’m going with Varela because I think he’s in for a huge sophomore campaign. As a freshman last year he showed he has the goods as a reliever and started four games including the Big 12 Tournament Championship win over Texas and went 2-1.

While Varela may not be a household name yet, his head coach took notice.

“C.J. Varela last year as a freshman quietly had one of those really good, solid freshman seasons where he pitched in a lot of games and started some games,” Holliday said.

I’d expect Varela to compete for a spot in Rob Walton’s rotation sooner rather than later.

There are several other impact guys returning, especially in the bullpen. And we still don’t have a return date for Jensen Elliott who looked the part following his Freshman All-American season but was limited to just four games before having to undergo Tommy John surgery last April.

Add in a crop of fresh faces both by way of transfer and incoming freshmen that will be looked to compete early, and there is a lot to be excited for this spring.