OK High School Preseason Spotlight: Enid
February 12, 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: Enid HS
OSSAA Class: 6A
Head Coach: Brad Gore
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 5
TOP PLAYERS
Blake Priest, RHP, 2021, Oklahoma commit
Leading the charge for Enid on the mound is the Priest, the 14th ranked prospect in the state’s 2021 class and an Oklahoma commit. He’s proportionally built at a 6-foot-2, 190-pounds with even more room to bulk up and tack on strength, leading to a potential uptick in stuff. Enid feels that they can win each game that Priest toes the rubber.
Garrett Brooks, C, 2021
Handling the pitching staff for the Plainsmen is Brooks, an uncommitted ranked prospect in Oklahoma’s senior class. He’s built at an athletic 5-foot-10, 165-pounds and is viewed as a hard-nosed competitor internally by the Enid coaching staff.
Kennedy is an intriguing 2023 prospect to watch as a potential multi-faceted key contributor for this Enid squad. He’s a quality defensive third baseman, flashing the leather at the hot corner with advanced overall actions for his age. Kennedy will also have a shot to compete for a spot in Enid’s rotation, which is what we’re accustomed to seeing from him. Here is his scouting report from our OK Fall Prospect Games - Enid this past September:
“Projectable, athletic 6-foot-1, 168-pound frame. On the mound, the right-handed pitcher utilizes a quick tempo in his delivery while reaching a high balance point and getting good extension towards home plate. Attacks hitters with a three-pitch mix, throwing from a high-¾ arm slot with some whip. Fastball is sneaky quick and has straight action, 79-81 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape with occasional late depth and good spin, 67 mph. Changeup shows fade action at 72 mph.
Zac McEachern, RHP, 2021, Northwestern Oklahoma State commit
McEachern recently committed to Northwestern Oklahoma State and he’s someone that will also be vying for a spot in this Enid rotation. Boasting a loose-bodied 6-foot-2, 170-pound frame, the future upside that he brings to the mound is fairly evident and he might just be starting to scratch the surface of what he could ultimately be.
Maddux Mayberry, RHP, 2021, NEO commit
Another senior right-hander that’ll log innings for Enid this year, Mayberry is committed to Northeastern Oklahoma for both football and baseball. He’s a competitive 5-foot-9, 170-pound arm that, like others on this staff, should get ample varsity innings this spring.
Manning the middle infield for this squad is Goeke, an experienced switch-hitter that’s ranked inside the state’s top-200 prospects. He’s a hard-nosed competitive gamer that recently attended our OK Fall Prospect Games - Enid, and here’s his scouting report from that event:
“Lean, athletic 5-foot-10, 140-pound frame with room to add size and strength. Switch-hitting middle infielder. From the left-side, starts in a square stance with his weight shifted on his backside. Uses a quick leg-lift load, generating a level line-drive with consistent line-drive contact to the middle of the field. From the right-side, starts in a square stance with a quick leg-lift and hand load back. Slight arm bar in load which creates a longer swing through zone. Level bat path with line-drive and ground ball contact to mid/pull side. Registered a 75 mph bat-exit velocity. Ran a 7.10 60-yard dash. In the infield, displays active/athletic footwork with a soft glove and clean exchanges. Made accurate 75 mph throws across the diamond from a quick ¾ arm action.”
Patrolling the outfield for Enid is McCool, an experienced right-handed hitting 5-foot-11, 180-pound athlete that will slot into their everyday lineup.
OUTLOOK
STRENGTHS: A competitive pitching staff with all-around sound defense, especially at key up-the-middle positions.
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: “Need to swing the bats better this season.”
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