OSSAA Team Preview: Choctaw Yellowjackets

February 29, 2024
Scott Hood and Max Fisher
Oklahoma Staff

Team: Choctaw Yellowjackets
2023 Record: 24-10
Classification: 6A
Head Coach: Shane Hawk
Years at the Helm: 10

Total Runs: 288/123

Average Runs: 8.47/3.62

Average Differential: 4.85

Outlook:

Choctaw missed out on the 6A State Tournament by a single game losing in the regional final in 2023. The Yellowjackets were a senior heavy team a year ago, but host one of the deeper rosters in the state where some younger players will get a true shot to make an impact at the varsity level in 2024. They will have one of the better pitching staffs in the state regardless of class with a pair of arms that have already pitched in plenty of big games throughout their careers to this point. Choctaw has some major D1 prospects, but still have a group of other talented players that help them both offensively and on the mound. The Yellowjackets have the pitching and the power bats to alter games and will be a tough out no matter who they match up with in the postseason.

Impact Players:

Cash Williams, 2025, C/UTL, Tennessee Commit

2025 C/OF ⁦@The_CashW⁩ (⁦@Jacketsball⁩) sends a breaking ball deep over the wall for a solo shot to LCF

Premium bat in the class showing big power this weekend

⁦@ShooterHunt⁩ I #PBRFG23 pic.twitter.com/CN2QbozaFZ
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) July 28, 2023

The two time Future Gamer has been one of the top prospects in the state the past couple of years and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. The Volunteers commit is one of the best catch and throw backstops in the country working as low as a 1.78 pop time. Williams has an extremely unique balance of speed and strength as a catcher, running a 6.61 sixty time and putting up exit velocities up to 99.4 mph. Williams is more than just the numbers, as he has been one of the most impactful players in the state in his first two seasons and will likely continue producing at an elite level in 2024.

Gage Albright, 2025, LHP, Oklahoma State Commit

2025 LHP ⁦@Albright13Gaige⁩ (⁦@Jacketsball⁩) impressed with a clean inning on Thursday night followed up with a strong performance today working the FB up to 89 mph and showing a fading CH and feel for low 70’s breaking ball w/depth#PBRFG23 pic.twitter.com/hQSSl8iahY
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) July 30, 2023

Albright has been one of the big risers in the ‘25 class in the state as a power LHP. Albright works 88-90 with the FB utilizing a fading 80-81 mph CH while also using a CB in the low 70’s with depth and ability to get swing and misses. Albright will get the opportunity to be a big game pitcher for the Yellowjackets this spring and has a chance to cement himself as one of the best LHP in the state in 2024.

Drake Fittro, 2024, OF/LHP, Cowley Commit

2024 OF ⁦@D_Fittro⁩ (⁦@Jacketsball⁩) uses his short and compact stroke from the left side to drive one back up the middle for a single. Productive hitter w/strong track record of hitting good pitching#PBRFG22 pic.twitter.com/2DouD4nDIL
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) July 28, 2022

Fittro has been a heavy producer for the Yellowjackets in the past and looks to lead them as both an outfielder and on the mound in 2024. The senior is a high IQ player and is considered one of the leaders for this Choctaw squad. Fittro is a gap to gap hitter with good speed and is a high contact hitter who rarely strikes out. Fittro will hit at the top of the Yellowjacket order and will be their everyday CF. Fittro will also be one of their main options out of the pen as a low to mid 80’s strike thrower.

Easton Teel, 2024, RHP, Cowley Commit

Teel has been one of the leaders of the pitching staff the past few seasons winning 10 games in 2023. Teel was up to 93 this past summer offering two quality secondaries that play as swing and miss stuff. Look for Teel to be one of the more underrated arms in the 6A class as someone who has already had a bunch of success pitching in big games for the Yellowjackets.