Prep Baseball Report

Oklahoma Rankings Update: 2023 Class


Andy Urban and Scott Hood
Oklahoma Staff

As we head into the fall Prep Baseball Report Oklahoma is updating the 2023 rankings after a full spring season, numerous events, and multiple tournaments.  The 2023 class is one of the deepest our State has seen in a long time with strong prospects up and down the list.  There have already been 16 division one commits with a few more possibly on the way and numerous other prospects committing to area junior colleges and division two schools.  The list is compiled by our staff's scouting efforts along with data collected from our events.  

You can see the full rankings by clicking here.

 

THE TOP 3

Avery Ortiz SS / RHP / Union, OK / 2023

 Ortiz remains at the top of the rankings thanks to a monster spring and summer at the plate.  The OSU commit hit 17 homers in the spring for Union and then followed it up with a just as impressive summer circuit including a game at the High Plains Shootout that saw him go 4-4 with 3 no doubt homers and a double.  Ortiz also ranks as one of the best overall athletes in the country and should be poised to have another impactful year.

Jaxon Willits SS / Fort Cobb-Broxton, OK / 2023

Willits checks in at number 2 on the list with his professional approach at the plate remaining his calling card.  The OU commit is always on balance and never seems to chase outside of the zone.  What makes him really special is his ability to attack the pitch he is looking for and rarely miss it from either side of the plate.  Willits has done good work with his body over the past year and is starting to show some real athleticism making him an interesting prospect to watch in the future.

  

Maxwell Knight LHP / OF / Bixby , OK / 2023

 Knight checks in at number 3 on the list after a strong spring and summer from both sides of the ball.  There were multiple players putting up big homer totals this spring and Knight held his own in that category while also having arguably the best oppo power in the class.  He uses his long levers to his advantage very well and has shown the ability to handle front line pitching.  On the mound Knight is starting to shine with the left-hander showing the ability to reach the low 90's with the fastball and when the curveball is working he becomes incredibly difficult to hit.


 

TOP NEWCOMERS

Kollin Ritchie 1B / Atoka, OK / 2023

 Ritchie enters the rankings for the first time after we got a look at him earlier this summer at the Oklahoma State Games.  The OSU commit is well-known in the smaller school circuit as being one of the more physical bats in the State and shows some serious power potential from the left-side of the plate.  With his quick hands and strong rotation, look for Ritchie to have a big impact at the next level and he's only starting to scratch the surface of his capabilities.

Tatum Hayworth RHP / 3B / Union, OK / 2023

 Hayworth enters the rankings for the first time after putting together a strong resume last spring as Union's number one.  Hayworth has shown the ability to miss bats repeatably thanks to his mid to upper 80's fastball with good tilt and life through the zone matched with at times showing a plus mid 70's curveball.  Hayworth has the type of build teams are looking for in a starter and he shows some of the most projectability on the mound in the area.

Bryce Ashlock OF / RHP / Union , OK / 2023

 Ashlock burst onto the scene this summer in multiple looks at him making him one of the top newcomers to the rankings.  Ashlock splits his time between playing linebacker and the outfield at Union and has some of the best raw tools in the State.  Once Ashlock gets more experience on the baseball diamond to allow this tools match up with his skills, he has one of the higher ceilings on the position player side in the area.

TOP RANKINGS RISERS

Branden Floyd SS / OF / Owasso, OK / 2023

 Few guys saw their stocks rise quite like Floyd's has in the past couple of months.  The ultra-versatile infielder/outfielder from Owasso had a huge impact in their run to a 6A State Championship at the plate with multiple clutch hits in big moments.  Floyd has sneaky power and has shown the ability to use the whole field well and offers teams at the next level a true utility-man skill set defensively.

Ethan Horton RHP / Yukon, OK / 2023

 Horton really impressed earlier this summer at the Top Prospect Upperclass Games that saw him work the fastball up to 90 mph.  The tall and projectable right-hander had good control of the body and showed a clean delivery which landed him a commitment to Cowley County.  With Horton's frame and quick arm, look for him to continue to make big jumps on the mound as he continues to add strength and size.

Ethan Fritts RHP / 3B / Edmond Memorial, OK / 2023

 Fritts saw his stock take a jump after of the more productive seasons on the mound for Edmond Memorial that saw him finish with an 8-0 record while allowing virtually nothing to the opposing offense.  Fritts understands pitching using his mid 80's fastball and feel for a big curveball to keep hitters off balance.  With Fritts' pitchability and lean frame, added strength could make him a true sleeper and one that people should keep an eye on in the future.

THE TOP 10

RANK   NAME STATE SCHOOL CLASS POS COMMITMENT
1 Avery Ortiz OK Union 2023 SS Oklahoma State
2 Jaxon Willits OK Fort Cobb-Broxton 2023 SS Oklahoma
3 Maxwell Knight OK Bixby 2023 LHP Oklahoma State
4 Kyler Proctor OK Silo 2023 SS Oklahoma State
5 Colin Fisher OK Noble 2023 LHP Arkansas
6 Weston Rouse OK Fort Gibson 2023 LHP Oklahoma State
7 Austin Lemon OK Heritage Hall 2023 OF Oklahoma State
8 Jax Ryan OK Verdigris 2023 SS Oklahoma
9 Camden Bates OK Washington 2023 SS Tennessee
10 Cooper Moore OK Bixby 2023 C Kansas

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