OK Spring Preview: Tuttle Tigers

The Oklahoma high school baseball season kicks off on March 2nd, opening day for regular season action under Ossaa regulations. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2020 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, leading into a countdown through the official PBR Oklahoma Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Perennially, we’ve submitted a Preseason Questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.

If you would like your team covered, please have your head coach email us at [email protected]

Our 2020 preseason coverage continues today with a look at the Tuttle Tigers.

Team: Tuttle
2019 Record: 29-9
OSSAA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Breck Draper
Playoff Run: Lost in Regional finals in 2019 to Harrah
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 5

TOP PLAYERS

Ryan Duncan CF 2020 5’10 160 R/R Connors St. A smaller frame with big athleticism. Duncan captains the defense from center field which he patrols with elite speed and a well above average arm. That arm also plays on the mound as Duncan mixes his delivery and times while he sits in the mid 80s with the fastball.  Offensively, Duncan plays to his tools being on time event with big velo and flat, putting pressure on the defense with his speed. 
Ryley Cross C 2020 6’0 190 R/R Connors St. Coaching staff believes Cross is one of the better under-the-radar catchers in the state. Great receiver who calls his own game and throws well. Will provide power in the middle of the order offensively as well.
Triston Truelove 2B 2020 5’9 170 A versatile athlete and starting running back past two years as well for a state championship football team. Led team in batting average last season and does a great job at the plate and on bases.
Bode Brooks RHP/1B 2021 5’11 185 An OU commit who sits 87-91 with a hard sinker and command of a slider and changeup when right. Made transition to 1B defensively this year to make sure he stays healthy on the mound. Tuttle’s workhorse and a coaches kid who loves competing. Good offensive approach from left side at the plate and stays in zone a long time with the barrel with good pop.
Emanuel Jeter LHP/OF 2021 5’11 170 Has really developed his game offensively and on the mound. Can be one of the better LHPs in our class when he’s on. FB Sits 80-84 with arm side run and has a really great breaking ball. Handles bat well on offense and runs the bases at an advanced level with high baseball IQ.
Nate Windle IF/C 2021 6’0 165 One of hardest working guys for the Tigers,  has expanded his game and not only is a great option behind the plate when needed but will play a lot of SS this year as well. Has been very productive early on offensively and look for a lot of production from his this season.
Kade Shatwell RHP/IF 2022 6’2 165 OSU. Also will play a lot of SS this year and has improved tremendously defensively. The Tiger’s option 1A on the mound along with Brooks.

OUTLOOK

The Tuttle pitching staff has a chance to be one of the better groups in the state if they can stay healthy. The Tiger offense should produce at a high level with a lot of varsity at bats under their belts. Learning a new system with mostly a new coaching staff will be one of the challenges for this year’s group. They have an infield that lacks experience, but have shown well so far.