PBR OK OSSAA Team Previews: Edmond Memorial Bulldogs
February 21, 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: Edmond Memorial Bulldogs
2022 Record: 27-12-1
Classification: 6A
Head Coach: JP Holman
Years at the Helm: 3 (@Memorial- 10 overall)
OUTLOOK
Coach Holman's Bulldogs 2022 campaign came to an end in a tightly fought battle with Owasso in the State Tournament and will look to rely on a group of a few upperclass returners as well as some exciting young and unproven prospects. One of the biggest question marks heading into the 2023 season is how they are going to fill the impact spots left behind from some big names such as Parker Coil, Owen Tracy, Noah Kang, and Camden Chalfant. It's not easy for any high school program to replace that level of talent but the Bulldogs might surprise some with the up-and-coming talent that will be working their way through the ranks in the next few years. They do have strong pitching depth with the ability to work in multiple guys into multiple roles as well as a few established arms that have proven to get outs at a high level. Offensively they should be athletic 1-9 and will look to generate runs in multiple ways as some of the unproven bats get their feet wet at the Varsity level. The big key for the Bulldogs will be how the handle themselves defensively as the break in some new arms that like to pitch to contact. If some of the younger talent emerges sooner than expected, look for the Bulldogs to quietly be in the mix for contending for another run at the 6A State Tournament,
IMPACT PLAYERS
Ethan Fritts, RHP, 2023, NOC Enid commit
There were arms in OK last year that had bigger stuff and more velocity but none truly matched the production that Fritts provided for the Bulldogs in 2022. Fritts finished his junior campaign with an 8-0 record while piling up 43 K's and surrendering only one earned run the entire year. He is able to put up these big numbers with the mid 80's fastball thanks to his high level of pitchability and his understanding of how to attack hitter's weaknesses. If the Bulldogs get this level of production on the mound from Fritts in 2023 then they will be a tough out on the night of the week that he takes the bump.
2023 @ethan_fritts was the story in this one as he tossed a complete game shutout for @EMHSBaseball. Featured a FB up to 84 and a low 70s CB. pic.twitter.com/vCHWP1cS8B
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) May 6, 2022
Winchester burst onto the scene in a big way picking up clutch hits down the stretch. Winchester is one of the top athletes in the state for the 2025 class thanks to his speed (6.78) and sneaky power where he recently had exit velocities up to 96.1 mph. He gets his strength at the plate with a strong lower half and strong overall bat speed. Winchester is able to cover a ton of ground in the outfield and has enough arm strength to profile to stay in center at the next level. With his advanced athleticism and proven production at the Varsity level as a freshman, look for Winchester to be a big breakout candidate in 2023 and should see his role expand in the offense.
2025 OF @RhettWinchester has made a huge impact for @EMHSBaseball since becoming an every day guy. Ties it up in the bottom of the first for the Bulldogs out of the 4 hole. One of the best young pure hitters in the state. @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/hrqPeIvtiE
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) May 7, 2022
Tracy showed his projectable tools this past fall at our Fall Underclass Games and showed the type of abilities that should land him on some radars in the near future. The left-hander worked the fastball in the low 80's and showed a big breaking ball that should give hitters fits and there's plenty more in the tank as he continues to grow into his lean 6-foot 160-pound frame. He also showed well with the bat in his hands using his feel for controlling the barrel to pick up a couple of knocks and turned some heads in the stands. He shows some athleticism with strong speed and the arm strength plays in the outfield. Tracy is unproven at the Varsity level but has the type of game that should be put on notice by opposing teams.
2025 LHP/OF @justin_tracy17 (@EMHSBaseball) had an all-around big day at the OK Fall Underclass showing an 82 mph FB and CB w/big depth on the mound. Also showed a super quick stroke making hard contact all day while running a 6.95 and throwing 84 from the OF. pic.twitter.com/2mOlk330FA
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) October 27, 2022
Williams is praised by the coaching staff for his toughness that he brings to the table for the Bulldogs. It isn't just the mentality that shows up at a high level but he brings some physicality to the lineup where he picked up 14 doubles which helps provide some punch to the order. Williams' ability to handle the pitching staff as well as provide some offensive thump will go a long way for helping the Bulldogs take another step in 2023.
Baker shows the type of pitchability it takes to navigate a lineup and shows a starter's profile with the ability to command three pitches. He works the fastball in the mid 80's with riding life through the zone and should continue to see jumps in the velocity as he continues to add strength to his frame. He has shown the ability to shape two different breaking balls and a fading changeup that should allow him to work through the lineup a couple of times. Look for Baker to take another step forward in 2023 and has the potential for a breakout spring campaign.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Josh Errico, INF, 2023, Garden City CC commit
Make sure to follow @PBR_Oklahoma on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2023 season.
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