OSSAA Team Preview: Oktaha Tigers
February 28, 2024
Team: Oktaha Tigers
2023 Record: 26-6
Classification: 2A
Head Coach: Kevin Rodden
Total Runs: 276/114
Average Runs: 8.63/3.56
Average Differential: 5.06
Outlook:
The Oktaha Tigers are as loaded as it comes when talking about talent in some of the smaller classes of Oklahoma High School Baseball. Coach Rodden’s teams have been talented in the past, but this spring might be his most talented team yet. They have a pair of newcomers that will make an instant impact for them, plus a few guys that have tons of experience over the past few seasons that had them go 26-6 in the spring and 31-2 this past fall. The Tigers have players all over the lineup and if the pitching can stay consistent, they are one of the favorites to win the 2A State Title when it’s all said and done.
Impact Players:
Darren Ledford, 2025, C/1B, Uncommitted
2025 C @DarrenLedford3 (@OktahaBaseball) shoots one the other way from the left side to pick up a double for the Tigers
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) October 5, 2023
Physical build with advanced hand strength and strong receiving skills from behind the plate pic.twitter.com/fFKRqeumHb
Ledford has been on the highest producers in small school baseball the last few seasons and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. The physical LHH catcher who ranks 8th in our ‘25 class uses gap to gap power and has shown the ability to be a HR threat every time he comes up. Behind the plate, Ledford uses strong receiving skills and uses a quick release on throws to the bag. Look for Ledford to be one of the higher RBI threats across the state this spring.
Mason Pickering, 2025, C, Uncommitted
2025 C/1B Mason Pickering gets @OktahaBaseball on the board here in the bottom of the first for the Class A State Tournament pulling one thru the right side give the Tigers the early 1-0 lead
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) October 5, 2023
@yoyo_mase0 pic.twitter.com/7zdQTLPD77
2025 C/1B Mason Pickering (Oktaha) set multiple personal bests with a strong workout day showing a quick release behind the plate and hard contact from the left side with exit velos up to 95.5 mph@WebFlexpro I #FutureFlex I #WebFlexWorkout I #PBRFG23@yoyo_mase0 pic.twitter.com/yvEalhUHzF
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) July 27, 2023
Pickering moved over to Oktaha in the fall and in his first season with the Tigers, proved to be a mainstay at the top of the order. The 13th ranked player in our ‘25 class and 2023 Future Gamer has shown elite pop times as low as 1.85 secs and has shown the ability to be an extra base threat at the plate. Pickering uses a strong build with pull side strength and a clean LH stroke with juice off the barrel.
Nic Tolbert, 2026, INF, Uncommitted
https://x.com/PBR_Oklahoma/status/1654587211050807298?s=20
Tolbert just recently moved to Oktaha and looks to be a major impact bat for the Tigers in his sophomore campaign. The 6’5 corner infielder uses a smooth LH stroke to all fields with a lean build with potential to add to the frame. Tolbert just adds another left-handed bat to an Oktaha lineup that has tons of pop from that side of the box to begin with.
Kip Christian, 2024, INF/RHP, Carl Albert St Commit
2024 OF Christian Kip (@OktahaBaseball) uses his rhythmic lower half and strong rotation around the core to drive a grand slam to left giving Oktaha the early 5-0 lead in the first. Matches plane here nicely with some whip in the barrel pic.twitter.com/odkEYKxEMV
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) March 26, 2023
Christian always seems to impress when we get our eyes on him thanks to a quick twitch swing that produces more pop than his size would suggest. Christian has shown the ability to handle strong pitching with ease and has some of the better barrel control on the eastern side of the state. He has proven himself as a producer and will look to continue to provide big production in 2024.
Maddox Edwards, 2024, RHP/INF, Connors St Commit
2024 SS @MaddoxEdwards2 (@OktahaBaseball and @ConnorsBaseball commit) has been really impressive tonight with 2 hits including a 2B and flashing strong glove work and feel for rhythm and footwork at SS pic.twitter.com/aVNaLgSG0o
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) March 26, 2023
Edwards has put together a strong career already before heading into his last season with Oktaha. One of the top 2-way prospects in all of 2A, Edwards has a complete all-around game with feel for the barrel, strong defensive actions in the middle of the diamond, and ability to miss bats in a big way on the mound. The Tigers have a lot of firepower up and down the roster, but it is the impact that Edwards brings to the field that might make them one of the top contenders for a state title.
Players To Watch:
Kale Testerman, 2024, UTL, Carl Albert St Commit
Dylan Walden, 2025, OF, Connors State JC commit
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