OSSAA Team Preview: Owasso Rams
February 29, 2024
Team: Owasso Rams
2023 Record: 27-14
Classification: 6A
Head Coach: Larry Turner
Years at the Helm: 41
Total Runs: 228/131
Average Runs: 5.56/3.19
Average Differential: 2.37
Outlook:
When it comes to contenders for state titles in Oklahoma, there hasn’t been a program that has shown the ability to reload year after year quite like the Rams under Larry Turner. Last year the Rams ultimately fell in the semi finals to the eventual state champion Bixby, in what was largely a mixed season for Owasso. One big hole to fill will be the void left by Branden Floyd who came up with a bunch of key hits in big situations over the past couple of seasons and the leader behind the plate in Baylor Corbin, but largely return a majority of the roster headed into 2024. Their biggest strength is their ability to lockdown opposing offenses with some of the top left-handed arms in the state at the top of the rotation and working pretty depth down the roster with depth on the mound. They also play strong defense especially up the middle with returners in key spots to make them awfully difficult to score on. Offensively, they have a solid mix of older players with experience with a group of young and exciting talent that will look to make an impact early on their careers. With this roster and tradition of building winning teams, the Rams have to be considered amongst the betting favorites to take the title in 2024.
Impact Players:
Jackson Farrell, 2024, LHP, Arkansas commit
2024 LHP @JWFarrell33 (@OwassoBaseball and @RazorbackBSB commit) has been sharp early with the FB up to 87 and settling in at 84-86 and showing the big CB in the low 70’s w/heavy depth and feel for 75 mph CH pic.twitter.com/WU4bLgUt7o
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) March 7, 2023
There aren’t too many arms in the history of the state that have put together a dominant career quite like Farrell has been able to accomplish in 3 years so far. A district starter since his freshman season, Farrell has proven to be one of the toughest arms to push runs across on thanks to an elite mix and ability to work any pitch in any count. While the fastball velocity doesn’t reach as firm as some others in the state, the mid to upper 80’s fastball plays up at a much higher level when hitters have to be on time with a low 70’s curveball with big depth and a high 70’s changeup with elite fade and sell. Farrell also added some punch to the lineup in 2023 and will be counted on in the middle of the order to be a run producing force from the left-side. There are a lot of talented arms in the state with some even probably hearing their names called in the MLB Draft later this summer, but if you polled coaches across the state on one guy you need to take the mound to win a game, Farrell would certainly be the overwhelming favorite.
Luke Williams, 2024, LHP/OF, Uncommitted
2024 LHP @luke_williams32 (@OwassoBaseball and @OU_Baseball commit) has matched zeros on the scoreboard working the FB working 88-91 and showing a swing and miss breaking ball in the mid 70’s. We’re 0-0 headed into the top of the 5th pic.twitter.com/2JiCOrnmME
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) May 12, 2023
FINAL: @OwassoBaseball and Union play to a 0-0 tie into the 11th before 2024 OF @luke_williams32 (@OU_Baseball commit) shoots one to left and 2025 UTL @CooperAuschwitz just beats the tag to walk it off 1-0 pic.twitter.com/mSqqrN6TPm
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) May 4, 2023
After decommitting from OU this past fall, Williams has decided to bet on himself and remain uncommitted headed into his Senior campaign. Williams has the type of stuff on the mound to be considered amongst the top programs in the area thanks to a upper 80’s to low 90’s fastball with life and feel for a big breaking ball that has proven to miss bats. The left-hander has one of the quicker arms in the state and has made quite a few jumps in the last calendar year. Williams can also get it done at the plate with a smooth stroke and strength at contact, while also playing an above average center field for the Rams in 2023. Williams should be considered a must-follow prospect from scouts at the next level as he is the most talented prospect remaining uncommitted in the state.
Cooper Auschwitz, 2025, UTL/RHP, Arkansas commit
2025 OF/INF @CooperAuschwitz (@OwassoBaseball) wastes no time driving the first pitch of the AB for a solo shot no doubter half way up the scoreboard at 103 mph#PBRFG23 pic.twitter.com/02hvDrJKQ5
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) July 28, 2023
Auschwitz burst onto the scene this past summer with one of the stronger performances out of any participant across the event with big swings of the bat and impressive athleticism shown. The Razorbacks commit has shown the ability to play all over the diamond, splitting his time between third base as well as covering a ton of ground in the outfield with an above average arm. He shows very quick hands at the plate and has appeared to add on a few more pounds of muscle headed into his junior campaign which should make the power play up at a higher level. Down the stretch in 2023, Auschwitz was also one of Owasso’s most trusted arms out of the bullpen with strike throwing abilities in the mid 80’s with a short cutting slider to chase barrels. Auschwitz should be primed for a breakout campaign for the Rams in 2024 and will be an intriguing follow in the coming years.
Easton Hailey, 2026, SS, Uncommitted
2026 SS @EastonHailey11 (@OwassoBaseball) keeps the hands back and shoots one thru the left side to bring in a pair and stretch the lead to 4-0 in the 6th. Impressive looking freshman w/strong defensive actions and feel for the game pic.twitter.com/jnKeK4ePrO
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) March 7, 2023
Hailey had the rare chance to be an everyday starter at shortstop as a freshman for the Rams in 2023 and cemented himself as a steady defender up the middle and a potential top of the order bat with high barrel control from the left-side. Hailey has a strong internal clock in the middle of the diamond that makes him look smoother than most on routine plays. Offensively, he uses a level bat path and strong plate discipline and rarely looked over-matched in our looks at him at the varsity level as a freshman. The Rams will look for Hailey to keep providing a steady presence in the defense and take on a larger role in the lineup working as a table-setter at the top.
Bodie Amberson, 2024, C, NOC Tonkawa commit
2024 C/Utility @Bodie_Amberson1 (@owassobaseball) comes up clutch with 2 strikes to shoot one down the right field line and give the Rams the 2-1 lead in the top of the 7th. Strong plate coverage with some strength in the hands at contact pic.twitter.com/F5njz8pxBl
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) April 11, 2023
Amberson returns to the lineup after playing a large role in the run production in the middle of the order as a junior. While having to work mostly as a designated hitter due to injury, Amberson looks healthy headed into his senior campaign and can provide strong catch and throw abilities behind the plate. While having a catcher that can erase runners on the basepaths is always a good thing, it becomes especially important for the Rams as teams like to take chances against their left-handed arms that don’t typically allow a ton of baserunners. Amberson has proven himself with the bat in his hands, handling high end pitching with strong gap power. A healthy Amberson in 2024 should pay dividends for the Rams as they look to get back to the top of 6A.
Players To Watch:
Cooper Harrel, 2024, OF/1B, NEO commit
Carter Miller, 2024, UTL, Labette CC commit
Dylan Gardner, 2024, INF, Uncommitted
Jackson Savoy, 2025, LHP, Uncommitted
Mason Figueroa, 2024, C, Ottawa commit
Kooper Ranallo, 2026, LHP/OF, Uncommitted
Reace Martinez, 2024, 1B/OF, Rich Mountain JC commit
Chris Zafares, 2026, OF, Uncommitted
Curtis Waters, 2025, OF/RHP, Uncommitted