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OSSAA Team Preview: Bixby Spartans

February 27, 2024
Scott Hood and Max Fisher
Oklahoma Staff

Team: Bixby Spartans
2023 Record: 33-8
Classification: 6A
Head Coach: Justin Delay
Years at the Helm: 4

Total Runs Scored: 287

Total Runs Allowed: 113

Average Runs Scored: 7.175

Average Runs Allowed: 2.825

Average Differential: 4.35

Outlook:

The Spartans finished off their 2023 season with a State Championship in large part to one of the deepest rosters this state has seen in recent memory. Bixby didn’t do it the easy way either, running through some high level talent and winning their final 14 games to capture their first state championship since 2008. This team was led by a lot of senior talent in 2023 which would normally be hard to replace, but the Spartans have a list of returning starters and some young players that have been waiting for a chance to prove themselves on the higher stage to try and make it a repeat in 2024. Losing top contributors like Max Knight (Oklahoma State), Cooper Moore (Kansas), Owen Bailor (Oral Roberts), Nate Murphy (NEO), Jack Williams (Hillsborough), Jake Wolfinbarger (NOC Enid) and Carson Miller (Coffeyville) is a tough pill to swallow but with all good programs its needs to reload instead of rebuild.  Bixby has a plethora of talent to pick from and still sits towards the top when it comes to contenders at the 6A level. Expect top tier pitching early from the Spartans as the inexperienced bats will likely settle in as the season moves forward. Getting production from the middle to bottom parts of their lineup will be a major factor if Bixby wants to repeat as champions in 2024.

Impact Players:

Jett Hope, RHP, 2024, Oklahoma State Commit 

Hope returns in 2024 with an increased role both on the mound and at the plate. The Oklahoma State signee didn’t start district games for the Spartans in 2023 but looks to lead a talented pitching staff into this upcoming season. The RHP started the state championship game against Enid a year ago reaching up to 93 MPH to pair with a high feel low 70’s breaking ball with ability to land as a strike and to get swings and misses out of the zone. Hope also could see some time in the Spartan lineup with a chance to add some serious power to a team looking to replace a lot of production. We are interested to see if Hope continues to progress and how he produces in an expanded role both on the mound and at the plate.

Brian Justice, RHP/SS, 2025, Uncommitted

Justice very well could be the player on this Bixby team that can impact their success more than anyone else can. The top uncommitted player in our ‘25 rankings has the ability to take over games on the mound and will be a mainstay in the middle of the order for the Spartans. On the mound, Justice runs up the FB in the upper 80’s with elite command with a devastating mix of high spin breaking pitches showing a mid 70’s CB (3100 spin), SL (2700) and a heavy fading CH as well. Justice will man the shortstop position when not pitching and has shown glimpses of being a high impact defender up the middle. Justice is already known as one of the top arms in the state, but his ability at the plate and in the field will be important if the Spartans want to make a run in 2024.

Kaemyn Franklin, RHP/INF, 2025, Oklahoma Commit 

Franklin moved across town to Bixby and has the opportunity to impact the Spartans right away on both sides of the field. On the mound Franklin has a strong feel for himself as a pitcher and controls the zone in the upper 80's and a strong fading changeup with big depth. He has strong defensive actions and enough arm strength that should play up on the left-side of the infield. Franklin shows as a potential starter profile on the mound at the next level with the continuing development of a BB. It will be interesting to see how he has progressed after not playing much during the past high school season.

Cody Crull, OF, 2024, Uncommitted

The senior outfielder has found ways to get on the field for Bixby the last couple years, but this year he will be leaned on a lot heavier than in years past. Crull is a gamechanger defensively in CF using a mix of speed and ability to read balls off the bat. Offensively, Crull is always a threat to lay one down but has shown the ability to hit balls hard in the gap for extra bases. Keep an eye on Crull this season as he is one of the highest ranked uncommitted prospects in the state still on the board in the ‘24 class.



Players To Watch:

Cord Nolan, OF, 2026

Rhett Leu, INF, 2025

Brock Copass, C,INF/RHP, 2027

Barrett Standley, RHP/OF, 2027

Cooper Leggett, RHP, 2026

Frank Peralta, OF, 2024

Brennen Galligan, RHP, 2025

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