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OU baseball: Tracking Sooners' arrivals, departures via transfer portal in 2023 offseason

Justin Martinez, Oklahoman
·6 min read
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OU baseball coach Skip Johnson looks to his players before a game at Virginia Tech on June 11, 2022.

NORMAN — After making an unlikely run to the Men's College World Series championship round in 2022, the OU baseball team couldn't channel that postseason magic last season.

The Sooners went 32-28 (11-13 Big 12) and fell to East Carolina in the Charlottesville Regional. It's a campaign that was hindered by injuries to key players such as shortstop Dakota Harris, but OU head coach Skip Johnson is already retooling the roster for 2023.

The Sooners have added eight players via the transfer portal in addition to a plethora of high school prospects. Here's a look at the roster movement for the Sooners this summer:

Incoming players for OU baseball

Here's a look at each player the Sooners have received commitments from through the transfer portal or junior college:

Colby Langford, LHP, Murray State College

OU secured a commitment from the junior college pitcher on Oct. 19.

Langford started 15 games at Murray State College last season. The left-handed pitcher went 9-3 with a 3.70 ERA in 73 innings pitched, and he racked up 114 strikeouts.

A former Blanchard High School standout, Langford is staying close to home.

Barrett Riebock, OF, Paris Junior College

Barrett Riebock announced his commitment to OU on July 26.

The sophomore outfielder impressed during his time at the junior college level. He batted .423 last season while racking up 80 runs and 39 RBIs.

Barrett didn't just contribute at the plate. He was named to the 2022 ABCA/Rawlings NJCAA Division I Gold Glove Team as a freshman.

Grant Stevens, LHP, Pacific

Grant Stevens committed to OU on May 23 after spending four seasons at Pacific.

The left-handed pitcher missed all of the 2022 campaign, but he returned to the mound this past season. He went 4-7 with a 5.19 ERA in 86 2/3 innings pitched.

Jace Miner, LHP, Wichita State

OU made a major addition to its bullpen when it landed Wichita State transfer Jace Miner on June 12.

Miner led the Shockers with a 2.05 ERA in 44 innings pitched as a sophomore last season. He even pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings in a 6-2 win over OU on March 14, and he racked up five strikeouts along the way.

Miner earned an All-American Athletic Conference second team selection, and he's sure to have a large role with OU next season.

Austin Henry, RHP, Wichita State

Austin Henry became the second Wichita State pitcher to transfer to OU on June 22.

Henry redshirted last season, although he's an intriguing addition with plenty of potential. Perfect Game rated the Dell Rapids, South Dakota, native as the top player in his state and the No. 72 overall player in the 2022 class.

Brendan Girton, RHP, Texas Tech

The former Shattuck High School standout returned home when he committed to OU on June 23.

Girton spent three seasons with Texas Tech. He made seven starts and went 2-2 last season with a 5.82 ERA in 51 innings pitched.

Girton is the second Texas Tech pitcher to transfer to OU in as many years. OU landed left-handed pitcher James Hitt last offseason.

Jason Bollman, RHP, LSU

OU continued to bolster its pitching depth with the commitment of LSU transfer Jason Bollman on June 24.

The right-handed pitcher began his career at Wabash Valley College (Ill.), where he went 5-2 with a 3.97 ERA in 45 innings pitched. He then transferred to LSU in 2022, but he missed the following two seasons due to injury.

Bollman received Tommy John surgery in January, although he's expected to be healthy by the time next season rolls around. He has two remaining years of eligibility.

Braden Davis, LHP, Sam Houston State

Sam Houston State transfer Braden Davis committed to OU on July 13.

The left-handed pitcher recorded five saves in 22 appearances as a sophomore last season. He recorded 51 strikeouts in 37 innings pitched and posted a 3.16 ERA.

Davis will reunite with OU first baseman Anthony Mackenzie, who began his career at Sam Houston State.

2023 Oklahoma baseball signing class

Here's a complete list of graduating high school seniors who have signed with the Sooners:

Name, School, Pos.

  • Noah Bentley, Celina HS (Texas), OF

  • Kasey Crawford, Olathe West HS (Kan.), RHP

  • Jacob Gholston, Flower Mound HS (Texas), RHP

  • Dasan Harris, Plano East HS (Texas), OF

  • Dakota Howard, Van Alstyne HS (Texas), OF

  • Parker Hutyra, Birdville HS (Texas), RHP

  • Kannon Kemp, Weatherford HS (Texas), RHP

  • Isaiah Lane, Eastlake HS (Calif.), SS

  • Devin Munoz, St. Paul HS (Calif.), SS

  • Litarris Murray, Prestonwood Christian Academy (Texas), OF

  • Brad Pruett, John H. Guyer HS (Texas), RHP

  • David Sorg, Southside HS (Ark.), 3B

  • Jason Walk, Harrison HS (Ga.), IF

  • Jaxon Willits, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS, SS

  • Ty Zahradnik, Keller HS (Texas), LHP

Outgoing players for OU baseball

Here's a look at each OU player with eligibility remaining who entered the transfer portal:

Eric Van Valkenburg, RHP

Eric Vanvalkenburg became the first OU player to enter the transfer portal on May 31. The freshman pitcher didn't appear in a game for the Sooners. Perfect Game rated him as the No. 500 overall prospect in the 2022 class.

Gabe Murrell, RHP

Gabe Murrell also entered the transfer portal on June 1 after spending one season with the Sooners. Perfect Game rated the former Edmond North High School standout as the No. 11 prospect in the state for the 2022 class. Murrell didn't appear in a game for OU.

Adam Walker, RHP

Adam Walker entered the transfer portal on June 2. The junior pitcher appeared in five games last season. He posted a 5.79 ERA in 4 2/3 innings pitched.

Colton Sundloff, RHP

The wave of OU pitchers entering the transfer portal continued on June 5 with the departure of Colton Sundloff, who appeared in five games for the Sooners last season. He posted a 6.75 ERA in four innings pitched.

Tavion Vaughns, OF (Blinn College)

Tavion Vaughns became the first non-pitcher to enter the transfer portal on June 6. Perfect Game rated the outfielder as the No. 176 overall player in his class. But the freshman outfielder didn't appear in any games for the Sooners, and he has since transferred to Blinn College (Texas).

Caden Powell, INF

Former Clinton standout Caden Powell entered the transfer portal on June 9. Perfect Game rated Powell as the No. 3 overall prospect in the state for the 2022 class. He appeared in 16 games as a freshman for the Sooners and recorded three RBIs on .257 hitting.

Julien Hachem, LHP (North Dakota State)

Julien Hachem entered the transfer portal on June 9 and ultimately committed to North Dakota State. The freshman pitcher struggled in his limited time on the mound. He allowed 13 runs in 6 1/3 innings pitched, giving him an 18.47 ERA.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU baseball: Tracking Sooners' arrivals, departures in transfer portal