STILLWATER – Oklahoma State will host a real game with an opponent this fall. NCAA rules permit that but you have to subtract the game from your fall schedule. This opportunity seems like it will be worth it. For fans it will be more than worth it because admission will be free on Monday, Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. when the Cowboys will host a team of Texas Rangers prospects. The only thing that could have made it better is if either the Baltimore Orioles prospects were coming or if the Rangers had drafter Stillwater hometown hero and son of OSU volunteer assistant coach Matt Holliday and nephew of Cowboys head coach Josh Holliday.
Mark it down as this will be good. The team from the Rangers organization will be made up of some of the top minor league players in their farm system.
"Getting a chance to play the Rangers prospect team is exciting. We know we will see some talented young professional players, and it will serve as our first time to compete as one unit this fall," said OSU head coach Josh Holliday. "In addition, it will be a great opportunity for our fans to come out and enjoy an evening at O'Brate and get familiar with our new roster and have some fun watching baseball."
OSU is coming off a season in which it finished 42-22 and made its ninth consecutive NCAA Regional appearance as the Cowboys hosted a Regional at O'Brate Stadium for the first time.
Oklahoma State Athletics
Riggio rounds the bases after a clutch home run vs. Arkansas in the NCAA Regional.
The Pokes return 13 letterwinners from last year's club, including six starters, All-American Nolan McLean and Freshman All-American Roc Riggio.
OSU's 2023 roster also includes 23 newcomers, which includes 12 high school standouts, six Division I transfers and five players from the JUCO ranks. The Cowboys' recruiting class was ranked No. 8 nationally by Baseball America.
Some of the possible Texas Rangers prospects for the game could be include a pitcher that has a win on the diamond at O’Brate Stadium. Former Vanderbilt pitcher Kumar Rocker could be on the team that comes in. Rocker pitched the Commodores to victory in the first half of a doubleheader against Oklahoma State in 2021.
Pittsburgh Gazette
Rocker pitched for Vanderbilt at O’Brate Stadium.
Rocker drafted by the Rangers this past July, could be joined by right-handed pitcher Brock Porter, a top high school draftee in the fourth round; international prospects Yeison Morreobel, a centerfielder from the Dominican Republic; Canadian left-handed pitcher Mitch Bratt, and two more international prospects in outfielder Anthony Gutierrez and shortstop Gleider Figuereo.
