OK High School Preseason Spotlight: Choctaw
February 8, 2021
The Oklahoma high school baseball season kicks off on March 2nd, opening day for regular season action under Ossaa regulations. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2021 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, leading into a countdown through the official PBR Oklahoma Preseason Power 25 Rankings.
Perennially, we’ve submitted a Preseason Questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.
If you would like your team covered, please have your head coach email us at [email protected]
Our 2021 preseason coverage continues today.
Team: CHOCTAW HIGH SCHOOL
OSSAA Class: 6A
Head Coach: SHANE HAWK
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 4
TOP PLAYERS
Anchoring this Choctaw pitching staff is Davis, a nationally ranked prospect in the 2022 class that’s committed to Oklahoma State. He continues to show poise on the mound and improved body control of his 6-foot-8, 195-pound frame as he works downhill. His fastball sat at 87-89 mph in his showing at our Oklahoma Underclass Prospect Games this past June, although internal reports have surfaced that he’s pumping it at 90+ mph right now and Davis can also really spin a breaking ball at a nearly 2,600+ RPM average. He will obviously play a major role in this team’s success from a pitching standpoint.
Spencer Boles, OF, 2022 and Jesse Tisdell, OF, 2022
You’ll be hard pressed to find an outfield that has this much impact talent roaming around than what Choctaw will roll out on a day-to-day basis. Both Boles and Tisdell are ranked inside the state’s top-25 for the junior class and they each represented Team Oklahoma at the Future Games this past summer. They are both also still uncommitted.
Boles is an extremely athletic 6-foot, 180-pound switch-hitter with noticeably loud bat strength that he takes advantage of because of his natural ability to routinely work on the barrel. His 6.72 60-yard dash and above-average pure foot speed play up on the field, allowing him to cover plenty of ground defensively in the outfield.
Tisdell is cut from a slightly different mold than Boles, serving as more of a top-of-the-order table setter than a middle-of-the-order masher like his counterpart. His loose contact skills paired with a steady line drive approach work well to all fields. He, like Boles, boasts above-average wheels and ran a 6.68 60-yard dash at an event this fall.
Choctaw should have no problem checking all the boxes in the power department and Rone can be penciled in as a key contributor to their team in that department. Built at a sturdy 6-foot, 180-pounds, the right-handed hitting corner infielder owns advanced raw pop and is slowly starting to translate it at the plate. We haven’t seen him since he showed well at last year’s Oklahoma Preseason All-State Showcase in February, but we’re eager to get an updated look at the state’s No. 39 overall prospect in the 2022 class.
Kenney Fabian, UTL, 2022
Had there been a 2020 high school season, Fabian would have been a do-it-all type of player for head coach Shane Hawk’s squad. He’s currently viewed as a utility type that can bounce around the diamond and contribute in multiple facets, but his most valuable contribution to this team might ultimately come on the mound. Fabian’s main role last year would have been as the team’s primary closer and he’ll certainly log innings on the mound in 2021 for the Yellowjackets.
Easley one of the top athletes in the state, the move at SS will lead on both sides of the ball. On the defensive end, Meza is an elite defender in every aspect. Offensively, the Oklahoma state commit is a rare blend of power and speed.
Replacing All State catcher and now Wichita State freshman Cooper Harris is a tall task, but Choctaw is equipped nicely with West as the team’s new go-to backstop. Ranked 15th overall in Oklahoma’s sophomore class, West can provide a spark for the Yellowjackets in his first full season at the varsity level. Here’s what our staff members had to say about his performance at our Oklahoma Underclass Prospect Games this past June:
“6-foot, 175-pound athletic frame. At the plate, West recorded an exit velocity of 87 mph. Begins in a tall stance with a quick small load, then uses a small leg kick just before his swing. Bat speed was above average, used flat swing plane and a back foot finish. In his round he found multiple barrels with some loud contact. Gap to gap approach. Behind the plate, showed his ability to throw runners out with an efficient pop time of 1.95-2.09, his best throw downs of the day reached a max velocity of 77 mph; shows twitchy hands, a developing quick exchange and developing feet. Flexible setup with some flexibility. Consistent accuracy to the bases, used a quick arm action with a high ¾ slot. Clocked a 60 time of 7.52 at the event.
Richard Jackson, INF/OF, 2023
An intriguing “X-Factor” type player for Choctaw this year will be Jackson; a 6-foot-4, 240-pound sophomore that is a two-sport varsity athlete. He’s a two sport varsity athlete that we’re eager to get looks at for the first time on the baseball field.
OUTLOOK
STRENGTHS: The balance that this Choctaw offense has from top to bottom is unquestionably one of their biggest strengths. They’re loaded with talent throughout their lineup and are capable of making an opposing pitcher’s life difficult on a daily basis.
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: As competitive as this bunch is, missing out on last year’s high school season does hinder this bunch. Several key players on this roster don’t have much varsity experience, if any, under their belt and that will certainly be something they’ll have to acclimate themselves to as the season goes on.
Make sure to follow @PBR_Oklahoma on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2021 season.