OSSAA Team Preview: Deer Creek Antlers

February 29, 2024
Scott Hood and Max Fisher
Oklahoma Staff

Team: Deer Creek Antlers
2023 Record: 25-15
Classification: 6A
Head Coach: Andrew McGuire
Years at the Helm: First Year

Total Runs: 266/150

Average Runs: 6.65/3.75

Average Differential: 2.9

Outlook:

Deer Creek lost a heartbreaker in the first round of the 6A State Tournament in 2023, but look to return with another solid roster in 2024. The Antlers lost a few key contributors like Brady Hamilton, Taylor Tomlin and Luke Schimmels. Despite those losses, the Antlers have reloaded and bring back a few starters that have been big producers for them over the past couple of seasons. The Antlers have a few experienced arms that have the opportunity to pitch in bigger games this season. Most of the projected top of the order for Deer Creek will include guys that have been in the lineup in the past, which will bode well for experience. The main focus for the Antlers this spring will be to get those arms some big game experience which will set them up for a potential postseason run. Deer Creek has proven themselves to be a consistent winner in 6A and will look to take another step forward under their new head coach Andrew McGuire who brings strong experience to the program.

Impact Players:

Ashton Hartwig, 2024, OF/LHP, Johnson County Commit

‘24 OF Ashton Hartwig (Deer Creek HS) is one of the top uncommitted players in the region for @OKFuelAthletics.

Shows off elite bat speed with a double off the pull side fence. Dynamic 2-way athlete. #Super17 pic.twitter.com/6pgnKDHkef
— Andy Urban PBR (@PbrUrban) June 23, 2023

2024 OF/LHP ⁦@AshtonHartwig⁩ (⁦@AntlerBaseball⁩) stood out as a 2-way at the OK Fall Underclass showing his usual ability to find barrels w/exit velos up to 96.7 to go along w/89 mph arm from the OF and 6.76 60. Also jumped on the mound working a sinking FB at 86 mph pic.twitter.com/EnPzcblozs
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) October 26, 2022

Hartwig has been one of most productive players in the state over his entire high school career and shows no signs of slowing down soon. The two-way prospect and 2022 Future Gamer has been dominant on both sides of the field as both a LHP and as RHH. On the mound, Hartwig works in the mid to upper 80’s with arm side run to go along with a CB with big shape and CH where he kills the spin efficiently. At the plate, Hartwig can hit for both average and power working exit velocities up to 96.7 over a year ago. Hartwig is also a good runner posting a sixty time as low as 6.76 which helps him play a solid outfield spot on the defensive side. Hartwig has produced as much as anyone the past couple of seasons and will be counted on as the main source of offensive production in 2024.

Logan Hedrick, 2024, RHP/OF, Connors St Commit

2024 OF/LHP @logan_h36 (@AntlerBaseball) used his flat swing to generate hard line drive contact at the Upperclass Games showing the ability to work the ball to all fields at exit velos up to 90 mph. Had an event best 88 mph arm from the OF and worked the FB up to 83 mph. pic.twitter.com/HshHaY8q8b
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) November 8, 2022

Hedrick has a chance to be one of the more important players on the Antlers roster in 2024 as he will play a large role this spring as both a pitcher and as a hitter. As a LHH, Hedrick will get time in the heart of the order as a quick twitch hitter looking to hit the ball to all fields. Hedrick moves well and has shown the ability to track balls well in the outfield. On the mound, Hedrick will be relied upon to pitch major innings this season. He has worked in the mid 80’s and we are excited to watch him this spring to see if he has made any jumps on the mound as well as at the plate.

Caden Allen, 2024, OF/RHP, Murray St Commit

Caden Allen will have the opportunity to be a major producer for Deer Creek in his senior season. Allen will spend most of his time in the outfield but will also be relied upon to pitch some innings for them this spring. At the plate, Allen has shown to be an extra base threat with some power into the gaps and has shown to be a solid runner. On the mound, Allen will work into the mid to upper 80’s with a mid 70’s SL and low 70’s CH. We are excited to get an updated look at Allen this spring to see his development over the offseason.

Kellen Frizzell, 2024, INF, Murray St Commit

2024, IF Kellen Frizzell (Deer Creek) finds a barrel here and sends it into left for an RBI single.@OKFuelAthletics @MW_Premier | #Super17 pic.twitter.com/OgMbDdGe50
— Prep Baseball Tournaments Scouting (@pbrtscouting) June 26, 2023

Frizzell has helped the Antlers over the past few seasons and looks to step into one of their leadership roles for his senior season. Frizzell is a quick twitch athlete and has posted a sixty time as low as 6.81. He has shown a smooth swing at the plate using a gap to gap approach. On defense, Frizzell shows solid actions and a quick release where he will spend time up the middle this year for the Antlers. He has put up strong numbers in the past and will need to be relied upon to bring more production into his senior campaign.