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The Pokes welcome 13 newcomers to an already talented group that should compete for both a Big 12 championship and a berth in the College World Series. To introduce you to the new faces, here is the full list of the Cowboy newcomers for 2016:
#1 Alex Shaver
Position: Outfielder
Height: 5-11
Weight: 189
Class: Fr.
Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas
High School: George Ranch HS
High School Honors: 2015 Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American and Honorable Mention Texas All-Region, 2015 District 24-5A Offensive Player of the Year, 2015 first-team all-district, 2014 Perfect Game Underclassmen Honorable Mention All-American, 2013 Perfect Game Underclassmen Honorable Mention All-American
Why He Chose OSU: Because it was his best opportunity to grow as a player and win championships.
#2 J.R. Davis
Position: Infielder
Weight: 187
Class: Jr.
Hometown: Vallejo, California
Previous School: Contra Costa CC
High School: St. Patrick-St. Vincent HS
High School Honors: 2011 and 2012 Bay Shore Athletic League MVP
Why He Chose OSU: Because it’s a family-oriented program.
#7 Garrett Benge
Position: Infielder
Height: 5-11
Weight: 200
Class: So.
Hometown: Yukon, Oklahoma
Previous School: Cowley County CC
High School: Yukon HS
Junior College Honors: 2015 NJCAA Division I Player of the Year, Selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 22nd round of the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft
High School Honors: All-State performer at Yukon High School, 2014 Perfect Game All-West Region Honorable Mention, 2013 Perfect Game Underclassmen Honorable Mention All-American
#14 Ben Leeper
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Height: 5-11
Weight: 193
Class: Fr.
Hometown: Southlake, Texas
High School: Southlake Carroll HS
High School Honors: 2015 Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American and Texas All-Region Second Team, 2014 Perfect Game Underclassmen All-American Third Team, Named to the 2014 TSWA All-State Baseball Team and was District Pitcher of the Year
#16 Collin Theroux
Position: Catcher
Height: 6-1
Weight: 223
Class: Jr.
Hometown: San Mateo, California
Previous School: San Joaquin Delta CC
High School: Junipero Serra HS
Junior College Honors: 33rd-round pick of the Minnesota Twins in the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft
High School Honors: First-team All-West Catholic Athletic League, First-team CIF-Central Coast Section, All-Daily News prep first-team, San Jose Mercury News first-team, Perfect Game California Region Honorable Mention
Why He Chose OSU: Because of the tradition, awesome coaches and the family feeling this team brings.
#17 Baylor Rowlett
Position: Catcher
Height: 6-0
Weight: 198
Class: Fr.
Hometown: College Station, Texas
High School: College Station HS
High School Honors: 2015 Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American and Texas All-Region Honorable Mention, Named a 2015 THSBCA Class 5A-6A First-Team All-State performer, 2014 Perfect Game Underclassmen Honorable Mention All-American, 2013 PG Underclassmen Honorable Mention All-American
Why He Chose OSU: Because it’s where he felt most comfortable and it felt like home.
#18 Colin Simpson
Position: Catcher
Height: 5-9
Weight: 227
Class: Fr.
Hometown: Edmond, Oklahoma
High School: Memorial HS
High School Honors: 2015 OCA All-State performer
Why He Chose OSU: Because the coaching staff is the best in the nation and his teammates are super friendly.
#23 Bryce Verplank
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Height: 6-4
Weight: 223
Class: Fr.
Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas
High School: Marcus HS
High School Honors: 2015 Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American and Texas All-Region First Team
#26 Luke Matheny
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Height: 6-2
Weight: 199
Class: Fr.
Hometown: Chesterfield, Missouri
High School: Westminster Christian HS
High School Honors: 2015 Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American and All-Central Region Second Team, 2014 Perfect Game Underclassmen Honorable Mention All-American,
#34 Jensen Elliott
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Height: 6-6
Weight: 206
Class: Fr.
Hometown: Coppell, Texas
High School: Coppell HS
High School Honors: 2015 Louisville Slugger High School All-America Second Team, 2015 Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American and Texas All-Region First Team, 2014 Perfect Game Underclassmen Honorable Mention All-American and District 7-6A Pitcher of the Year
#38 Nick Gallo
Position: Infielder
Height: 5-10
Weight: 181
Class: Jr.
Hometown: West Palm Beach, Florida
Previous School: Palm Beach State CC
High School: Palm Beach Gardens HS
Junior College Honors: First-team all-conference performer as a sophomore at Palm Beach State College
#42 Jake Cowan
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Height: 6-1
Weight: 201
Class: So.
Hometown: Mangum, Oklahoma
Previous School: Cowley County CC
High School: Mangum HS
High School Honors: Three-time all-conference performer and 2014 All-State selection, 2015 Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American, 2014 OCA All-State honors
Why He Chose OSU: Because it’s a blue-collar program with an attitude to work hard and be successful.
#46 Joe Lienhard
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Height: 6-4
Weight: 239
Class: Fr.
Hometown: Wichita, Kansas
High School: Kapaun Mt. Carmel HS
High School Honors: Named to The Wichita Eagle 2015 All-Metro team, All-state performer as a junior and senior
Why He Chose OSU: Because his father played here and it’s a great baseball program.