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Oklahoma State Baseball

Cowboy Baseball Second In Preseason Big 12 Coaches Poll

January 26, 2023
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STILLWATER – The Big 12 Conference announced its preseason baseball rankings on Thursday morning, the day after the conference released its preseason awards. After reloading in the offseason, Oklahoma State baseball checks in at No. 2, just two points and one vote behind TCU.

Preseason Big 12 Coaches Poll

  1. TCU (5) – 61
  2. Oklahoma State (4) – 59
  3. Texas Tech – 48
  4. Texas – 43
  5. Oklahoma – 38
  6. West Virginia – 28
  7. Kansas State – 17
  8. Kansas – 16
  9. Baylor – 14

The Cowboys are coming off a three-way tie for second place in conference play last season with a 15-9 conference record. Both Texas Tech and Oklahoma also finished with a 15-9 record. TCU won the conference outright for a second-straight year in 2022 with a 16-8 conference record, the first team to go back-to-back since 2016-17.

The Pokes hosted an NCAA Regional in 2022.

The 2023 squad features several returning players, including three preseason All-Big 12 selections. Utility Nolan McLean was tabbed a unanimous selection on Wednesday after posting standout numbers in 2022. He hit a team-high 19 home runs, while hitting .285 on the season with 47 RBIs and 16 doubles. On the mound, he recorded 39 strikeouts and a 2-1 record with five saves in 25 1/3 innings.

Infielders Roc Riggio and Marcus Brown were also garnered Preseason All-Big 12 honors, as did transfer pitcher Juaron Watts-Brown, who was not only a unanimous selection, but was named the Preseason Newcomer and Pitcher of the Year.

Watts-Brown was a Freshman All-American this past season at Long Beach State, as he went 4-4 on the season with a 3.68 ERA in 15 appearances, 12 of which were starts. On the season, he posted an impressive 111 strikeouts in 73 1/3 innings. He left with a couple of school records as he posted the first complete game no-hitter in program history, as well as 13.62 strikeouts per nine innings.

The Cowboys start the 2023 season with the College Baseball Showdown at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX, as they play Missouri on February 17. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT and will be streamed on FloBaseball.

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Cowboy Baseball Second In Preseason Big 12 Coaches Poll

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