Names to know in the Sooners infield: Replacing production can be scary

Just a day away from Oklahoma’s season opener, SoonerScoop.com’s season preview continues with a closer look at the Sooners infield. Much like our look at the projected names to know in the outfield, there’s plenty of new faces to become familiar with as Oklahoma embarks on its first season in the Southeastern Conference. 

After recording 40-plus wins seasons in two of the last three seasons, Skip Johnson’s program heads into opening weekend with high expectations despite being picked No. 11 in the SEC preseason poll. 

Oklahoma opens the regular season Friday against Lehigh with a double-header, starting at 2 p.m. at L. Dale Mitchell Ballpark. The series finale now slated for Saturday because of inclement weather conditions predicted for Sunday.

On paper, it can be scary

Replacing veteran players will be a priority for Johnson and his coaching staff after seeing eight Sooners drafted in the 2024 MLB Draft, the third most of any school in the country. Sophomore shortstop Jaxon Willits the lone returner in the infield along with catchers Easton Carmichael and Scott Mudler. 

Jackson Nicklaus, Anthony Mackenzie, Michael Snyder, Kendall Pettis, John Spikerman and Bryce Madron departures will be felt defensively. But it’s at the plate where Oklahoma will need to find answers for the loss in production. The six combined for 114 home runs, 200 doubles and 650 RBIs over their collegiate careers. You’ll find all six of their names between Carmichael and Willits in last year’s final stat book. 

Needless to say, there’s a lot to replace but Johnson feels the program is in the right place heading into 2024. 

“When we made this transition and hired Todd Butler– a guy that had spent 15 years as a recruiting coordinator in the SEC– I call him a ‘birddog’. He’ll go out and find them. How they fit our culture. How they go about their business. Losing 65% of your offense is really difficult,” said Oklahoma head coach Skip Johnson. 

Let’s meet the Sooners infield.

Kyle Branch – Freshman – 2024: Lovejoy High School 

With Nicklaus headed off to start his professional career, Branch has positioned himself to take over at second base from Day 1 of his freshman season. The Lovejoy, Texas, product earned 2024 Perfect Game first-team all-region and Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association all-state second team honors as a senior, helping Lovejoy makes its deepest playoff run in school history (state runner-up), hitting .372 with 48 hits, 13 doubles, four home runs, 26 RBI and 14 stolen bases. 

Reid Graham – Freshman – 2024: Waxahachie High School 

The last time there was a Graham playing up the middle of a Sooners infield, it worked out quite well. Reid Graham, younger brother of former Sooner shortstop Peyton, arrives in Norman built out of the same mold. A tad taller than his older brother at 6-foot-6, Graham has a bright future in the Sooners program. 

Mason Hamlin – Junior – 2024: University of Texas-Permian Basin

The UT-Permian Basin transfer arrives in Norman after starting 101 games in Odessa where he helped the Falcons to a record setting season as a sophomore, hitting .370 with a .463 on-base percentage and .526 slugging. Named a 2024 ABCA/Rawlings All-Region selection, Hamlin could provide depth this season in the Sooners infield. Will also be a tool for Reggie Willits on the base-paths after swiping 49 bags over the last two seasons. 

Brayden Horton – Junior – 2024: Liberty 

After starting 45 of the 51 games he played in last season at Liberty, Horton brings a good mix of versatility to the program and could see action at first base as well as the outfield. Horton posted a .280 batting average and a .940 OPS as a sophomore, matching a team-best 11 home runs. 

Ryley Leininger – Freshman – 2024: Georgetown High School 

A two-time District 23-5A Most Valuable Player, Leininger begins his career following a decorated career after helping Georgetown to a state championship as a sophomore in 2022. Selected as an all-star by the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association last season, Leininger is on the list of freshmen you should be excited about. 

Dayton Tockey – Junior – 2024: Weatherford College 

Will be in the mix at first base heading into the season, Tockey arrived in the fall as a little bit of an unknown but wasted little time introducing himself. Helped Weatherford College to the best season in program history, finishing with a third place finish at the NJCAA Division I World Series. Tockey posted a .678 slugging percentage and .467 on-base, hitting nine home runs last season in 50 games. 

Dawson Willis – Junior – 2024: LSU-Eunice 

One of the prized additions to the Sooners infield, Willis was named the 2024 DII Defensive Player of the Year last season at LSU-Eunice, starting 64 games en route to winning the DII Gold Glove. What will be interesting to watch is how he adjusts to moving to third base as well as the simple idea of making a transition from DII to D1 baseball. Last year Willis posted a .525 slugging percentage and .505 on-base, scoring 90 runs, driving in 52 RBIs and seven home runs. Simply put: He’s a Day 1 starter alongside Jaxon Willits on the left side of the Sooners infield, being tabbed as the No. 5 impact JUCO transfer hitter by D1Baseball.com. 

Jaxon Willits – Sophomore – 2024: Played in 57 games and made 54 starts 

Is it weird to say Jaxon Willits enters his second season at shortstop as the veteran of the team? Yes, it is, but it also makes sense after enjoying a breakout season as a freshman hitting .268 with 10 home runs, 11 doubles and 39 RBIs. Named to the Big 12 All-Tournament team, Willits became a key part of a lineup that won the school’s first Big 12 regular season title, hitting .314 with all 10 of his home runs on the back end of the schedule. Expectations are high for Willits entering the season. Could be the next big thing for OU baseball.