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Over the last couple of year's the Sooners have made their mark on college baseball with their bats. This season it will be the arms of the hurlers that get Oklahoma through as the young bats of the new guys develop to the major collegiate level. Oklahoma has a deep bullpen that's filled with power, youth and experience. The question is can this group of pitchers carry the team through the 2012 season?
I wouldn't bet money on this being the way things shake out when the Sooners open their season a week from Friday but it gives us a look at what could be the midweek, weekend and bullpen players. None of these positions are official but more so just speculation.
Midweek Starters
RHP - Steven Bruce: Made six appearances in 2011 including one start and compiled a 2-0 record with a 2.93 ERA and 10 strikeouts. He will most likely start the season as a midweek pitcher but could end up coming out of the bullpen once conference play starts.
LHP - Steven Okert: Had a 9-1 record last season with a 1.91 ERA at Grayson County College in Denison, TX. Made the all-american honorable mention list.
LHP - Ty Taylor: Struck out 61 batters while compiling a 9-1 record and 2.23 ERA last season at Weatherford College in Weatherford, TX. Is only a sophomore.
Weekend Starters
Bullpen
RHP - Chris Burgess: Compiled a 5-3 record last season at Black Hawk College in Wethersfield, Illinois. Had an impressive 1.89 ERA which also earned him the 2011 conference MVP award. Over the last two seasons he has thrown 10 complete games.
LHP - Jake Fisher: Built an impressive resume at Connors State College with a 10-0 record and 2.42 ERA with 67 strikeouts to just 66 hits allowed. Could easily find his way into the starting rotation.
RHP - Drew Krittenbrink: Recorded no stats at Oklahoma last season as a freshman.
RHP - Kindle Ladd: Made nine appearances last season with one start. Had an 0-1 record with 10 strikeouts and a 5.93 ERA.
RHP - Damien Magnifico: Recorded a 3-2 record last season at Howard College in Big Spring, Texas. Had a 5.23 ERA.
RHP - Jack Mayfield: Made 11 appearances on the mound for the Sooners last season with one start. Struckout 18 batters and had a 3.68 ERA with an 0-1 record and three saves.
Freshmen
LHP - Adam Choplick: After recovering from Tommy John surgery Choplick only pitched 23 innings as a senior last year at Billy Ryan High School in Denton, Texas. It was an amazing 23 innings though as he built a 2-0 record with a 0.50 ERA to earn first-team all district. He also pitched a perfect game last season in which he struck out 16 batters on just 61 pitches.
RHP - Cale Coshow: Sat out 2011 as a redshirt at OU. Was a three timeletter winner at Deer Creek High School in Oklahoma and finished his senior season (2010) with an 11-2 record and 1.77 ERA.
RHP - Alex Gerbert: Was a three time letterwinner at Colleyville Heritage High School in Grapevine, Texas. Was named first-team all district last year as a senior after posting a 10-4 record with 76 strikeouts.
RHP - Jacob Rhame: Was selected last year as the All-Area Pitcher of the Year. Recorded a total of 242 strikeouts during his career at John H. Guyer High School in Corinth, Texas where he was a three year letterwinner.
RHP - Cole Stevens: Was named the pitcher of the year in 2011 after finishing off his senior year at Weatherford (OK) High School with a 6-1 record and 2.56 ERA.