Prep Baseball Report

OK Preseason Preview: Yukon


Oklahoma Staff

The Oklahoma high school baseball season kicks off on Feb. 21 for A-B, and March 1 for 2A-6A. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2022 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, leading into a countdown through the official PBR Oklahoma Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

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.

Our 2022 preseason coverage continues today. 

Team: Yukon
2021 Record: 31-8
Classification: 6A
Head Coach: Kevin James
Years at the Helm: 15

OUTLOOK

Coach James starts his 16th season as the head man for Yukon and has shown the ability to keep his program at a top level consistently through the years.  The 2021 campaign saw a run into the State Tournament coming up just short in the opening round in one of the best pitching duels the State has ever seen.  The obvious question heading into the 2022 campaign is how they are going to replace the production of Carson Benge on both sides of the ball as he graduated and moved onto Oklahoma State.  The 2022 Millers squad features a balanced roster with high-energy sparkplug type hitters in at the top of the order and a few boppers in the middle that have shown some power in the past.  They will look to rely on these guys to provide the bulk of the offense but where they don't have any questions is their ability to defend especially through the middle of the diamond.  The Millers have a couple catching options that show the ability to control the running game as well as handle a pitching staff.  They have experienced defenders in the middle of their infield that have shown good actions and range as well as having one of the top defensive outfielders in the State manning centerfield.  The Millers will throw strikes and attack hitters and force you to beat them which might make for a tough task on opponents with their defensive abilities and guys that can force the issue in the lineup.

 

Impact PLAYERS

Aiden Alexander, 2022, OF/P, NOC Enid commit

Alexander set the table at the top of the order for the Millers last Spring and look for him to be a steady presence again in 2022.  The NOC Enid commit has a knack for getting on base and uses his short stroke from the right side to drive line drives all over the field.  Alexander is also a good base runner and can translate his good speed into stolen bases at ease.  His biggest impact might be his defensive ability in center where he can run balls down as good as anyone in the State and has a strong and accurate arm to control opposing offenses.  Look for Alexander to play a big role on both sides of the ball this Spring and impacting the game in multiple ways.

 

Aiden Alexander (10/31/21)

Parker Means, 2022, INF

Parker Means returns to the Millers' lineup where he gained valuable experience on last year's Varsity squad and will look to take on a bigger role in the offense in 2022.  Means shows good defensive ability up the middle with smooth actions and good range.  Means uses his short and compact swing with the hands working to the inside part of the ball to shoot balls up the middle with a line drive approach.  Look for Means to take on a larger role in the middle of the order this Spring and become a bigger run-producer for Yukon.

 

Parker Means (6/1/21)

 

Trevin Pettigrew, 2023, 1B/P

Pettigrew showed his potential on both sides of the ball last Spring for the Millers and will look to take another jump both from the left-handed batter's box and on the mound.  Pettigrew has shown the ability to drive the ball with power to the gaps with his above average bat speed and good strength at contact.  Pettigrew will also be used as a starter on the mound this year in District games where he pounds the zone and competes well.  Pettigrew took the ball in last year's Regional final and worked into the 6th inning only allowing one run to a talented Choctaw lineup.  Pettigrew will carry a big load for the Millers in 2022 and he has the type of game that can make a big impact on their ability to make another deep run in May.

 

Trevin Pettigrew (7/13/21)

 

Logan Troxell, 2023, INF

Troxell returns to the lineup and middle of the diamond manning the short stop position for the Millers in 2022 after getting valuable experience last year as a sophomore.  Troxell handles the ball well in the middle of the diamond with good actions and enough arm strength to remain on the left side at the next level.  Troxell collects hits with a line drive approach and shows good overall bat speed and quick hands through the zone.  Troxell also plays faster than his 60 time might suggest and plays with a high baseball IQ.  Look for Troxell to continue to be a big contributor both at short as well as setting the table at the top of the order.

 

Logan Troxell (5/22/21)

 

Hunter Williams, 2022, P/INF

Look for Williams to push for more innings in 2022 as he moves into a starter role for the Millers.  Williams uses his clean 3/4 arm slot to create good sinking action on the fastball and has shown the ability to pound the ball down in the zone.  Williams will also look for a bigger role offensively this Spring where he uses his quick hands through the zone and very strong rotational acceleration to get the bat moving quickly.  

 

Hunter Williams (7/13/21)

 

Ethan Horton, 2023, P

Horton gained valuable experience last Spring out of the bullpen and will be pushing for more innings and a starter role for the Millers in 2022.  Horton has one of the more projectable builds and arms in the 2023 class where he works the fastball in the mid 80's with good spin rates.  Look for Horton to continue to add velocity as he adds strength to his frame and could pick up some valuable outs for the Millers this Spring.

 

Ethan Horton (11/1/20)

PLAYERS TO KEEP AN EYE ON

Heath Brown, 2022, C

Colton Strange, 2023, C

Isaac Pearson, 2022, RHP

Carter Parent, 2024, UTL

 

Make sure to follow @PBR_Oklahoma on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2022 season.

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