OK High School Preseason Spotlight: Owasso
March 1, 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: Owasso
OSSAA Class: 6A
Head Coach: Larry Turner
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 2
TOP PLAYERS
Brennan Phillips, LHP, 2022, Oklahoma State commit
The anchor for Owasso on the mound is Phillips, the fourth ranked prospect in Oklahoma’s junior class that’s also ranked 114th nationally. He’s a strike-throwing southpaw that has consistently filled up the zone with his entire arsenal throughout the years and recently saw an uptick in velocity, running his fastball up to 88 mph this past July.
Pacing this Owasso offense is Skalnik one of the top prospects in the Midwest for his class that’s also garnered some national recognition from our staff, ranking at 426th overall in the entire country for the 2022 class. Skalnik recently represented Team Oklahoma at the PBR Future Games, showcasing his all-around physical skill-set that compliments a developing baseball profile.
Standing at a physical 6-foot-3, 200-pounds, Skalnik looks the part on the field and has metrical support from our partners at Trackman and Blast Motion, too. He blistered some baseballs in his BP round at the Future Games, recording an average exit velocity of 89.83 mph and an average fly ball distance of 299 feet, both of which are well advanced for someone his age. His best barrel left his bat at 97.07 mph and traveled 391 feet, solidifying one of the more prodigious power profiles you’ll see across the Midwest. Skalnik is going to do it all for this Owasso team and he’ll especially be a key offensive producer nestled right in the middle of their lineup. Still uncommitted, whoever lands him is getting a special talent with gigantic upside.
Brody Green, 3B, 2021, TCU commit
Another former PBR Future Games participant, Green is the fifth ranked prospect in the state’s senior class and he’s ranked 227th nationally, too. Committed to Texas Christian, Green is one of two senior starters returning to this team in 2021 and he’ll slot right into the heart of this lineup, looking to do some serious damage throughout his final season with Owasso. We saw him last at our OK Top Prospect Senior Games in June and below is his scouting report from that event, with video:
“6-foot-4, 175-pound lean frame. At the plate, the right-handed hitter showed his power in the box with a strong exit velocity of 89 mph. Began in an athletic stance with a compact load, then used a small leg kick just before his swing. Bat speed was above average, used flat swing plane and high finish. Found multiple barrels with loud contact . Gap to gap approach. Athletic in the infield, his best throw was registered at 84 mph; has a clean fluid exchange, sure hands and rhythmic feet. Used a short arm action with a high ¾ slot. During the event, recorded a 60 time of 7.15.”
Jett Tucker, OF, 2021, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M JC commit
The third PBR Future Gamer on this Owasso roster, Tucker is ready to put the finishing touches on his prep career with a shot at the 6A state title in reach. He’s an ultra-athletic 6-foot-3, 188-pound athlete that just flat-out hits, attacking the zone with a smooth right-handed stroke that creates lift through contact. Tucker is one of few seniors returning to this squad and his experience at the varsity level will be key for this team.
David Dean, LHP, 2021, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M JC commit
A 6-foot-3, 175-pound lean and athletic left-hander. Dean has been reported up to 88 mph this fall with an advanced breaking ball at 70-74 mph. The lefty uses a simple delivery with quality leg drive down the mound before letting loose a long and quick arm that will likely continue to tick up in velo. Dean should factor in a big way for Owasso on the mound this spring.
OUTLOOK
STRENGTHS: "Should be a good hitting team and a good Monday, Tuesday team. Young and inexperienced at a lot of positions so little things could be key to how far we go. Solid but inexperienced pitching staff."
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: "Pitching and position depth."
Make sure to follow @PBR_Oklahoma on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2021 season.