OSSAA Team Preview: Carl Albert Titans

February 29, 2024
Scott Hood and Max Fisher
Oklahoma Staff

Team: Carl Albert Titans
2023 Record: 34-8
Classification: 5A
Head Coach: Ryan Whiteley

Outlook:

Coach Whiteley begins his third season with the Titans after leading them to a 5A State Championship in 2023. The Titans put together one of the strongest resumes in the state thanks to a deep pitching staff and power bats littered up and down the lineup. With a large portion of that championship roster returning in 2024, the Titans are primed as an early favorite to try and make it back to back titles. The obvious strength with Carl Albert is in their front-line pitching with three legitimate impact arms to choose from to pitch in district matchups. While being able to put up runs on the Titans is hard enough, keeping them off the scoreboard themselves can prove to be a challenge with talented bats that have proven production at the plate will return to the lineup. With the type of firepower that the Titans have and experience in winning the state championship in 2023, we expect Carl Albert to be one of the toughest outs across all levels in the state and will be matchup problems all season for the 5A foes.

Impact Players:

Kash Ferris, 2024, RHP/OF, OSU commit

2024 RHP ⁦@kash_ferris⁩ (⁦@Titans_Baseball⁩ and ⁦@OSUBaseball⁩ commit) gets the starting nod and looks sharp early working the FB 88-90 and showing feel for his low 80’s SL with late depth and tight spin pic.twitter.com/QzvqVleas5
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) May 11, 2023

Ferris returns as the front-man of the rotation for the Titans and comes into 2024 with a much tighter and stronger arsenal from last spring. The 6-foot-2 and 200 pound right-hander saw jumps in velocity during the offseason, now working the fastball in the low 90’s with strong spin and riding life. His calling card has always been and will continue to be his ability to spin the breaking ball at a high level that has proven to miss bats both in the zone and for chase. Ferris takes the mound with a lot of energy and confidence and it shows up highest in the biggest moments. A true number one on the mound that will be an interesting follow in the coming months.

Hutch Russell, 2024, SS, Seminole State commit

2024 SS ⁦@hutch_russell⁩ (⁦@Titans_Baseball⁩) shows the plate coverage shooting one the other way for a base hit that gets mishandled allowing him to get to third to start off the top of the 5th. Would come around to score on a safety squeeze to make it 5-0 Titans pic.twitter.com/mr9gcB3iVk
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) May 13, 2023

Russell has been a mainstay for the Titans since his freshman year picking up big hits and adding more power to his game over the last year. Russell has knack for finding barrels including adding in more long balls this past season where put 10 balls over the fence. Defensively, Russell has smooth actions and enough arm strength to cover the hole. As with him every season, Russell will join the party slightly late after finishing the basketball season and will look to get back up to speed quickly and providing big production for the Titans.

Declan Murphy, 2025, RHP/3B, Uncommitted

2025 RHP @dec_murphy4 (⁦@Titans_Baseball⁩) has worked his sinking FB up to 87 and showing tight spin on an upper 70’s SL w/strong horizontal action#PBRFG23 pic.twitter.com/8p8PP9qU4q
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) July 28, 2023

2025 INF @dec_murphy4 (⁦@Titans_Baseball⁩) jumps all over the FB to the LCF wall for an RBI 2B

Showing some hand strength at contact with present strength in the lower half#PBRFG23 pic.twitter.com/p0cWHMgMtW
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) July 28, 2023

Murphy remains one of the top uncommitted prospects in the state and will look to build off an impressive sophomore campaign that saw him take a no hitter into the 7th inning of the State Championship game. Murphy uses an old school sinker/slider approach getting the ball to chase to both sides of the plate with strong tunneling action. Murphy should also see his role on offense expand in 2024 as he continues to make progress with the bat. He has proven himself to handle high-end pitching and showing some power potential. Murphy should be a prospect teams at the next level should be keying in on this spring.

Cole Dunlap, 2027, RHP/C, Uncommitted

2027 C/INF ⁦@ColeDunlap_10⁩ (Carl Albert OK) drives one to the right field to bring in a pair for ⁦@BrandOfAthletes⁩

One of the top catch and throw guys in the class w/advanced strength

⁦@PBR_Oklahoma⁩ I ⁦@MW_Premier⁩ @shooterhunt I Super15 pic.twitter.com/aLR21ihKfQ
— Scott Hood PBR (@PBRHood) July 21, 2023

It’s a rare occasion where we consider a freshman prospect that hasn’t even completed one high school game to be an impact player. Dunlap already is showing the type of skills and tools that can’t be ignored as we project that he will have a big impact early on his career. On the mound, Dunlap is already working fastballs into the upper 80’s and spinning a mid 70’s breaking ball in the zone. Behind the plate, he has one of the quicker releases with throws showing strong carry and accuracy to the bag. While his best baseball is still ahead of him, don’t be surprised to see our number one player in the 2027 class begin to make a name for himself on the high school circuit.

Tanner Norman, 2024, 1B, Murray State JC commit

2024 1B ⁦@TannerNorman4⁩ (⁦@Titans_Baseball⁩) absolutely unloads on a no doubt solo shot to right to extend the lead to 6-0 in the top of the 7th pic.twitter.com/UCz5fxSOnG
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) May 13, 2023

Norman returns to the lineup as one of the more physical left-handed bats in the class. Norman uses strong bat speed and pure strength from the hands and lower half to project for a potential power bat at the next. As a run-producing force in the middle of the lineup, Norman has a chance to be one of the bigger drivers of the offense and they will count on him to continue to drive in runs to run it back in 2024.