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.

2022 Record: 30-12
Classification: 6A
Head Coach: Andrew McGuire
Years at the Helm: 3

OUTLOOK

 Coach McGuire's Jaguars squad had a special run at the end of the year in 2022 that ended in one game shy of making it to the 6A State Championship game.  They went the long way in the Regional after dropping the second game and falling into the loser's bracket before rattling off three straight wins to make it to the State Tournament.  In the opener they held on to a wild 9-8 victory over Bixby before succumbing to Edmond Santa Fe in the semi-finals.  The Jaguars will rely on the bulk of their roster returning and their experienced gained to try and make another run at a State Title in 2023.  Offensively they have one of the deeper lineups with tough outs up and down the lineup.  They have a strong combination of speed and power with multiple guys showing strong barrel control.  They play strong defense and have multiple guys that can play multiple positions allowing Coach McGuire some options.  On the mound they will have a few new faces to break into the mix and the coaching staff feels strongly about their arms just need to get them comfortable early on.  With the experience in their lineup as well as their strong defense, the Jaguars will rely on those facets as they work in their new arms and try and make another deep run in May.

IMPACT PLAYERS

Jackson Black, MIF, 2023, Connors State JC commit

As impressive as the Jaguars' run was in 2022 it becomes more impressive with the fact they did it without the impact bat from Black due to injury.  Black provides a big punch from the left-side of the infield with sneaky power and a feel for the barrel in the zone.  He has shown the ability to handle high-end pitching and should be a big part of the middle of the order heading into his senior campaign.  Defensively he has smooth actions with strong body control and should be able to remain up the middle at the next level.  With Black back in the mix for the Jaguars in 2023, it only stretches the lineup further and provide a much needed lift in the run-production in the middle.

 

2023 2B Jackson Black (⁦@jags_baseball⁩) uses his short and compact left handed swing to drive one down the line for a double. Still scoreless here in the third. pic.twitter.com/dCce7cpH9H

— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) April 2, 2021

 

Eli Hill, INF, 2023

Hill returns to the lineup for his fourth year of starting duties for the Jaguars and as their leader in the locker room.  Hill has a knack for finding barrels especially in key spots with his full field approach and line drive bat path.  He provides some thump to the middle of the order after collecting 17 extra base hits in 2022 and driving in 37 runs.  The Jaguars will heavily rely on his ability to handle the bat in the middle of the order as well as his leadership qualities to help make another run in 2023.

 

2023 INF Eli Hill (⁦@jags_baseball⁩) opens it up for the Jaguars shooting one down the right field line to bring in a run and get an early 1-0 lead pic.twitter.com/W8imIicOAE

— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) May 12, 2022

 

Connor Cavnar, C, 2024

Cavnar burst onto the scene in a big way during his sophomore campaign that saw him pick up 24 extra base hits including 5 homers.  Cavnar has advanced hand strength and strong use of the lower half in the swing that gives him power potential.  He is also an advanced athlete for his size and as a catcher where he is showing improved skills.  The throwing has vastly improved with the arm strength playing up at a higher level than in the past and the receiving and blocking skills have shown jumps as well.  Look for Cavnar to have a potential breakout Junior campaign with him bringing a much needed physical presence to the middle of the order.

 

2024 C ⁦@ConnorCavnar⁩ (⁦@jags_baseball⁩) is one of the better emerging young hitters in the state with good physicality and strength in the lower half. Has also thrown out a would be base stealer in this one as well pic.twitter.com/dB2NthQCEa

— Scott Hood PBR (@PBRHood) June 20, 2022

 

Gage Geiger, OF, 2024

Geiger makes his impact felt in multiple ways for the Jaguars but none more than his game-changing speed.  Geiger set a school record in 2022 swiping 34 bags making him a serious threat on the basepaths.  It isn't just about the speed for Geiger.  He shows the ability to handle the bat hitting at a .328 clip in his sophomore campaign while also driving in 25 runs.  He has strong range in the outfield and should be considered to be amongst some of the state's best in center.  With his ability to impact the ball on both ends, the Jaguars will rely heavily on his table-setting abilities at the top of the order and continue to put pressure on opposing pitching staffs with his speed.

 

2023 OF ⁦@gage_geiger⁩ (⁦@jags_baseball⁩) put his top of the order skills on display at the Summer Open with a quick twitch line drive swing and running a 6.89. Strong in game performer with athletic tools pic.twitter.com/RmbZWJI7ya

— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) August 9, 2022

 

Tanner Fallwell, OF/C, 2024

Fallwell came on strong for the Jaguars down the stretch in 2022 and will look to see his role continue to expand in 2023.  Fallwell has strong athleticism that shows up both behind the plate as well as in the outfield providing Coach McGuire some options and flexibility.  Fallwell shows some strength at contact with the ball jumping off the barrel and having current gap power.  With his speed he has the potential to become an extra-base threat which he showed last year hitting 6 triples.  Fallwell helps stretch the lineup with both his speed and gap power and should be primed for a potential breakout season.

 

2024 UTL ⁦@FallwellTanner⁩ (⁦@jags_baseball⁩) sneaks one up the middle to bring in a pair and retake the lead 3-2 in the top of the third pic.twitter.com/bpjMkmo3yn

— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) May 13, 2022

 

Mason Lindquist, RHP, 2023, Oklahoma City University commit

Lindquist was used in multiple roles on the mound in 2022 and will look to see his role expand heading into this Spring.  Lindquist put up strong numbers showing the ability to miss bats in a hurry picking up 41 strikeouts to only 9 walks in 27 and 1/3 innings.  Lindquist has shown the ability to rise to the moment throwing some of the most important innings including closing out the victory in the State Tournament opener and will look to log more innings in those crucial moments in 2023.

 

FINAL: Spartans get the tying run to second but 2023 RHP ⁦@MasonLindquist2⁩ slams the door for ⁦@jags_baseball⁩ advancing to tomorrow’s semi finals with a 9-8 victory pic.twitter.com/AWEGxZr28H

— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) May 13, 2022

 

 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Holden Woods, RHP, 2023

Kaehler Stillings, UTL, 2023, Oklahoma City University commit

Julian Ramirez, 1B, 2023

Christian Loera, SS, 2023, Connors State commit

Luke Bourland, UTL, 2023, Southwestern College commit

Rhett Monroe, RHP, 2023

Bradley Ruby, LHP, 2024

Josiah Kemp, OF, 2026, OU commit

 

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

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