PBR OK OSSAA Team Previews: Norman North Timberwolves
January 24, 2023
The Oklahoma high school baseball season kicks off on Feb. 20th for A-B, and March 1st for 2A-6A. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2023 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 as well as our own coverage on players in our team-by-team preseason analysis.
Team: Norman North Timberwolves
2022 Record: 24-13
Classification: 6A
Head Coach: Brian Aylor
Years at the Helm: 18
OUTLOOK
Coach Aylor's Norman North squad has an exciting group of athletes heading the roster for the 2023 campaign and should be one of the tougher lineups to defend in the 6A slate. A lot of teams around the state have strong overall speed but not too many can match the type of burners the Timberwolves will have atop the lineup. Just their two returning middle infielders alone accounted for 71 stolen bags in 2022 and will look to continue to put on the pressure as their skills at the plate have started to make jumps. Norman North will have a more complete offense heading into the 2023 slate with multiple guys starting to show some development as well as some newcomers to the Varsity squad that have shown big potential in preseason workouts. They also should be considered as one of the better defensive squads especially with their strength coming in the middle of the diamond. Biggest question mark heading into the season will be their overall depth on the mound and finding who's going to take those important innings throughout the year especially in the non-Monday and Tuesday District games. They lost 75% of their innings off of last year's squad and will look for some inexperienced guys to get their feet wet in a hurry. If the Timberwolves can weather the storm early and break in a few new guys to the rotation, look for them to make some noise heading into 2023 and give opposing pitching staffs and catchers a few nights of restless sleep.
IMPACT PLAYERS
Jackson Lundquist, SS, 2023, Paris JC commit
Lundquist returns in his third year of starting for the Timberwolves and has shown steady improvements with his game throughout his career. One of the top overall athletes in the 2023 class, Lundquist hit at a .351 clip in 2022 while adding a staggering 41 stolen bases. The swing plays up higher in games and shows some strength at contact which should translate to more extra base power as he continues to gain experience. With his game-wrecking speed and continued development at the plate, look for Lundquist to have a breakout senior campaign and be a one of the toughest matchups to opposing staffs in 2023.
Landon Bruce, 2B, 2023, San Jacinto JC commit
In much of the same way his fellow double-play mate impacts the game, Bruce brings another speed element to the top of the Timberwolves lineup that makes them a unique one-two punch. Bruce finished the 2022 campaign with a .381 average and a true knack for finding his way on base. His on-base skills play up at an even higher level when you add in the fact that he also swiped 31 bags on the year. He's not just a speed guy however. The swing has strong whip through the zone and shows potential for gap-to-gap power as he continues to add on the strength. Defensively he shows smooth actions and clean glove work making him a intriguing follow as a speedy second basemen at the next level. Bruce will be counted on to continue to carry a large role in the offensive production in the lineup and is another guy to keep an eye on for a breakout season in 2023.
Lane Evans, C, 2024
Evans returns as the backstop for the Timberwolves after catching 128 innings in 2022. In his time behind the plate he threw out an impressive 35% of runners and from the coach Aylor's perspective should primed as a catcher to keep an eye on in 2023. The Timberwolves will not only count on his defense but also carrying a larger role in filling out the lineup to stretch it deeper than what they've had in the past.
Harrison Utley, 1B, 2024
Utley is another guy in the lineup that Coach Aylor feels like could have a larger impact in 2023. The large 6-foot-4 and 275 pound first baseman had a solid showing in 2022 hitting at a .345 clip and they will look for him to expand on that in 2023 while adding more power giving the Timberwolves a much needed punch to the lineup.
From reports from preseason workouts, Warren has started to make some strides at the plate and the coaching staff is looking for him to bring more power to the lineup in 2023. Last year the 6-foot-2 and 220-pound outfielder played a large role in run production for the Timberwolves hitting at a .353 average and showing strong on-base skills. With the speed in front of him in the lineup and guys with strong on-base skills, the Timberwolves will need guys like Warren to continue to make jumps and provide the type of production with the bat that it will take to get them to the next level.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Spencer Ille, RHP, 2024
Make sure to follow @PBR_Oklahoma on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2023 season.
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