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PBR OK OSSAA Team Previews: Deer Creek Antlers

January 19, 2023
Scott Hood
OK/MO/KS/ARK Assistant Scouting Director

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.

 

 
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Team: Deer Creek Antlers
2022 Record: 31-11
Classification: 6A
Head Coach: Roland Baza
Years at the Helm: 3

OUTLOOK

Coach Baza's Antlers made a deep run in 2022 falling to eventual State Champion Owasso in the State Semi-Finals.  Heading into the 2023 season the Antlers will have to find answers for the departures of a couple of key players that graduated in Brett Pense, Brett McComas, Keaton Story, Duncan Key, Miles Lock, Cody Sorrells, and Cam Ebert.  Good news for the Antlers is they have plenty of returning players that have had extensive Varsity experience that they will rely on early as the break in a couple of new starters into the mix.  They have one of the deeper pitching staffs in the state with multiple guys with the talent to log major innings especially in the all-important District games.  The lineup will feature a very strong collection of athletic hitters that also have shown some power in the past that will make it difficult to navigate for opposing staffs.  They're able to use their athleticism to create some havoc on the bases and have shown an advanced short game giving them a multi-faceted offense.  If the Antlers get their returning impact players to continue to provide their proven production especially early in the season, they have all the right pieces to make another run at the State Title in 2023.

 

IMPACT PLAYERS

Taylor Tomlin, 2023, OF, Houston Commit

Tomlin returns as the leadoff man and table setter for the offense having been a three year starter for the Antlers.  Tomlin has a unique ability to land the barrel on the ball with a flat stroke and line drive approach.  He does a good of job as any hitter in the state at driving extra base hits into the gaps and when he does land on first base he's a threat to steal a bag at any time.  Defensively he roams center field with big range and has also shown the ability to make highlight plays thanks to his overall speed and advanced instincts.  The Houston commit should again in 2023 be one of the top returning leadoff hitters in the State and will play a big role in the success the Antlers will have in 2023.

 

 

 

William Brady Hamilton, 2023, RHP/INF, Wichita State Commit

Hamilton returns as a three year starter for the Antlers and will see his role expand in 2022.  The Wichita State commit will take over the role of the number one on the staff making him one of the more talented Aces in the State.  Hamilton's fastball works into the low 90's and he pairs it well with a sweeping slider that's shown to generate a lot of swing and miss.  Hamilton will also see his role expand on the offensive side, splitting time between first and second base and being counted on to provide more run production in the middle of the lineup.  Hamilton has a very simple swing and is able to generate a surprising amount of power thanks to his understanding of using his leverage to his advantage.  Hamilton has the skill set to take over games on the mound giving the Antlers a Bonafide Ace to rely on as they look to make another run at a State Title.

 

 

 

 

 

Luke Schimmels, 2023, UTL/RHP, Cisco JC commit

Schimmels returns to both the lineup and the pitching staff for the Antlers looking for a more expanded role as both an impact player as well as a leader of the team.  On the mound, Schimmels boasts one of the top sliders in the state that shows up firm and with late depth.  The slider alone is a true swing and miss pitch and a real equalizer for the high school game.  The fastball works in the mid 80's with strong sinking action and will also flash a plus change up at times.  Between the changeup and slider arsenal, Schimmels has the type of stuff that can navigate a balanced left/right lineup and work deeper into games.  Offensively he has some of the best hand strength at contact in the area with balls jumping off the barrel.  He's already a physical 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds that's paired with some present athleticism making him one of the more projectable 2-ways players in the State.

 

 

 

Ashton Hartwig, 2024, OF/LHP

Hartwig has been a mainstay roaming the outfield for the Antlers since his freshman year and returns for his Junior year with an expanded role.  Hartwig has a unique combination of speed and power with a strong barrel controlled swing making him a very tough out.  He always seems to be in control over his body throughout the swing and has shown the ability to leave the yard with pull side power.  Hartwig meets all the required measurables it takes to play at a higher level with a 6.76 60, 89 mph arm from the outfield, and exit velocities reaching up to 97 mph.  Hartwig should find himself in the middle of the order as a major run-producer for the Antlers in 2023.  Where Hartwig's impact might be felt most for Deer Creek is his expected increased role on the mound where he has started to make big jumps in the past few months.  The left-hander works the fastball up to up to 86 mph and shows an improved breaking ball with big depth.  His impact on both sides of the ball will be a large determining factor in Deer Creek's success in 2023.

 

 

Kamden Phillips, 2023, LHP, Butler CC commit

Phillips returns as a two-year starter for the Antlers as a big left-handed weapon for Coach Baza to use in multiple ways.  He played a large role in their success in 2022 going 8-1 on the year over 50 innings with multiple innings coming in big spots throughout the year.  Phillips uses a sweeping breaking ball to get off the barrel and has shown the ability to handle himself in intense situations.  His reliability and strong pitchability gives the Butler CC commit a bright future and ability to pitch any many different roles.

 

 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

 Brittain Brewer, 2023, 3B

Caden Allen, 2024, INF

Logan Hedrick, 2024, OF/RHP

Ethan Hedrick, 2024, LHP/OF

 


Make sure to follow @PBR_Oklahoma on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2023 season.

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