Names to know in the Sooners outfield: Jason Walk attempts to make the leap

The outfield for the Sooners will look a bit different this season for Oklahoma baseball. That was probably a given. Gone are Kendall Pettis, John Spikerman and Bryce Madron.

Pettis has settled into a role with the university, and you’ll hear him on the radio broadcast alongside Toby Rowland occasionally this spring. Spikerman (3rd round, Philadelphia Phillies) and Madron (10th round, St. Louis Cardinals) are off to begin their professional careers after being selected in the Major League Baseball Draft. 

“I’m excited about it. They have one of the best coaches in America in Reggie Willits,” said Oklahoma head coach Skip Johnson at Sooners media day last week. “A lot of times we lose sight of our invisible guys. Our invisible guys are our coaches. They’re invaluable.” 

Good news? Willits has a number of options to pick from. Some names known to the Oklahoma baseball. The others soon to be. 

Let’s get to know each other, eh? 

Dasan Harris – Sophomore – 2024: Played in six games 

One of the many players on the Oklahoma roster that looks at this season as a launching point for his career. The Plano, Texas, native played in just six games last season as a freshman, but is expected to be a key contributor in an outfield that will feature plenty of speed yet again. Harris enjoyed a productive summer with the Ridgefield Raptors of the West Coast League (wood bat) where he hit .309 in 40 games. Look for Harris to make a home in one of the corner outfield positions.

Brandon Cain – Junior – 2024: Played at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

The junior college transfer arrives with plenty of buzz, ranking as the No.7 impact junior college transfer hitter by D1Baseball.com. Cain was extremely productive a season ago as a two-way player for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. In 47 games, the Mobile, Ala., product hit .359 with five home runs and a .552 slugging percentage, scoring 49 runs with 29 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. Look for Cain to be in the mix for one of the corner outfield spots. His uncle is former big leaguer and World Series champion Lorenzo Cain.

Sam Christiansen – Redshirt sophomore – 2024: Played at South Mountain Community College

Perhaps no player has created more momentum for himself in the preseason than Christiansen. He hit .307 in 57 games during his freshman season at South Mountain in 2023, driving in 35 runs to go along with 12 doubles, two triples and four home runs. Christiansen is pressing for playing time and don’t be surprised if he’s rewarded with a spot in the starting lineup at some point this season, perhaps as soon as this weekend.  

Drew Dickerson – Freshman  

The Lee’s Summit, Mo., product arrived in Norman following a strong senior season in which he earned second team All-State honors from the Missouri High School Baseball Association. After turning heads this past fall in the middle of the Sooners infield, Johnson announced at media day the 6-foot-3, 210-pound freshman has moved to the outfield. Drawing comparisons to former Sooner Tyler Hardman, look for Dickerson to get an opportunity to see the field sooner than later, especially if he can add pop to the lineup. 

Trey Gambill – Junior – 2024: Salt Lake Community College 

The Alpine, Utah, native started 53 games last season at Salt Lake Community College. Tabbed as a third-team NJCAA All-American selection, Gambill hit .375 as a sophomore, scoring 63 runs and team-high(s) with 48 RBIs and nine home runs. The All-American selection made Gambill the first Salt Lake City Community College player to earn any All-American honors in 20 years. 

Christian Hoffman – Junior – 2024: New Mexico Junior College

Another quality pick up out of the junior college ranks, Hoffman appeared in 41 games in 2024 at New Mexico Junior College, hitting .328 with 10 home runs and a .590 slugging percentage. 

Taylor Tatum – Freshman 

Surely, the Longview (Texas) native needs no introduction after rushing for 278 yards and three touchdowns this past season for Brent Venables and the Oklahoma football program. Now the two-sport star turns his focus to the diamond this spring. A four-year letterman at Longview, Tatum was a two-time first-team All-District selection, hitting .397 with three home runs and 20 RBIs in just 78 at bats as a senior. 

Jason Walk – Sophomore – 2024: Played in 42 games, 33 starts

Should be seen as the heir apparent to Spikerman in centerfield and atop of the Sooners lineup, Walk posted a .281 batting average with three home runs, four doubles, two triples and 19 RBIs last season as a true freshman. He also stole 13 bags on 15 attempts. Few players could replace speed in the outfield and on the base paths comparable to Spikerman but the Acworth, Ga., native fits that mold. You can likely pencil Walk into the lineup on the regular.