OK Spring Preview: Carl Albert Titans

February 25, 2020
Andy Urban
Oklahoma Scouting Director

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 2020 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 2020 preseason coverage continues today with a look at the Carl Albert Titans.

Team: Carl Albert
2019 Record: 33-8
OSSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Tim LaValley
Playoff Run: State Finals
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: All of them

TOP PLAYERS

Carson Thomas - LHP/OF, Sr, 6'1" 165, L/L OU signee
Caden Favors - LHP, Sr, 6'3" 175, L/R Seminole signee
Jake Estes - RHP Sr, 6'0" 185, R/R also utility player
Preston Flowers - Utility INF, Sr, 6'0" 175 R/R
Houston Russel - Catcher, Jr. 6'2" 185, R/R
Lake Strickland - 1st base, Jr, 6'2" 175, R/R
Ezra Gustafson - RHP/Utility, Jr. 5'10" R/R UALR commit
Ben Harris - Utility, Jr, 6'1" 185 R/R
Dondi King - OF/LHP Jr. 6'2 198 S/L
Gavin Haines OF, Jr. 6'0, 170 L/R

OUTLOOK

Carl Albert took a trip to the state championship game before falling just short of a championship as season ago. They come back this year with their entire pitching staff and a reloaded group of hitters. On the mound, they will rely on three front-line arms with plenty of depth in the pen. Offensively, they lost some big bats to graduation, but have reloaded and could be as dangerous again. If the Titans play clean baseball, they could not only be the favorite to win 5A state, but one of the best teams in the state regardless of class.

To be determined through the scrimmage season

Make sure to follow @PBR_Oklahoma on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2020 season.