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Courtesy photos
Major League Baseball recently finished its draft where over 600 players were drafted. The draft lasted from July 17 to July 19 and consisted of 20 rounds. The state of Oklahoma had over 20 players drafted including two players going inside of the top 10 selections.
The University of Oklahoma had 11 players drafted. This is the highest number of players selected from one school in the entire NCAA. Oklahoma State University had eight players chosen throughout the draft.
The Oklahoma players who were picked in the top 10 were Jackson Holliday and Cade Horton. Holliday was drafted number one overall by the Baltimore Orioles, and Horton was selected with the seventh overall pick by the Chicago Cubs.
Holliday is only 18 years old and a recent Stillwater High School graduate. Holliday will play shortstop for Baltimore. Holiday finished his high school senior season hitting 89 for 130 pitches and won the Gatorade Oklahoma Baseball Player of the Year award. His 89 hits broke the national high school record for most hits in a single season.
Draft experts from around the MLB believe Holliday has the most upside out of all prospects. According to cbssports.com, “Holliday has the explosiveness to smoke anything thrown over the plate and is very good at running and throwing.”
MLB fans might recognize his last name because he is Matt Holliday’s son. Matt Holliday played 15 years in the MLB and made it to the All-Star game seven times in his career. Matt said he is ecstatic for his son.
“I know he has passion and I want to help him pursue that dream,” he said in an interview.
Holliday also has already accepted a deal with the Orioles. While the whole contract hasn’t been released, he will get an eight million dollar signing bonus.
Horton was a freshman pitcher at the University of Oklahoma. He will continue to be a right-handed pitcher for the Cubs. Horton led the Sooners to the College Baseball World Series last season despite only playing nine games the entire season. He sat out most of the 2022 season due to having shoulder surgery. Horton amassed 64 strikeouts and a 5-2 playoff record with OU.
Draft experts consider Horton one of the fastest rising prospects in MLB history. Horton has already shown he can throw a 90+ MPH fastball and slider throw. Cubs Vice President of scouting Dan Kantrovitz said he believes there is more to come for Horton and that he has only scratched the surface. At this time, the Cubs and Horton have not reached a contract agreement.
While both of these players have small track records, many fans might be looking forward to what the players have up their sleeves.