OU baseball roster, schedule: Meet coach Skip Johnson’s 2025 Oklahoma Sooners

NORMAN — Following last season’s regional loss, OU baseball underwent a significant amount of turnover similarly to most college baseball programs nationally.

Sooners coach Skip Johnson, who signed a contract extension during the offseason after interviewing and being in the mix for the Texas A&M job, has seemingly rebuilt his pitching staff into one of the deepest in the SEC, largely considered the toughest league in the country. OU also has some returners who are expected to make a large impact.

The Sooners open their season with a home weekend series against Lehigh from Feb. 14 to Feb. 16.

Here’s a look at the OU’s baseball 2025 roster:

More:Why twins Kyson, Malachi Witherspoon are expected to lead OU baseball into SEC

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Pitchers
Kyson Witherspoon
Junior, Jacksonville, Florida: Headlining the rotation, Witherspoon shined this summer in the Cape Cod Baseball League and with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team. He led OU with a 3.71 ERA last season. A legit MLB prospect, Witherspoon should be one of the best arms in the SEC.

Junior, Jacksonville, Florida: Kyson’s twin, Malachi could be a starter if Johnson decides to go that route. He’s a trending prospect who also spent time on the Cape this summer. He led the Sooners with five saves primarily as a closer last season and is also a projected draft pick.

Cade Crossland
Junior, Rockwall, Texas: Crossland is expected to compete for a weekend rotation spot. The Weatherford Junior College transfer went 9-2 in 14 appearances with a 2.37 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 2024.

Sophomore, Upper Marlboro, Maryland: Johnson is also an intriguing arm that could round out the rotation. The LSU transfer only made 13 relief appearances but was the No. 2 overall lefty in the 2023 class out of IMG Academy in Florida.

Dylan Tate
Junior, Eureka, Missouri: A transfer from Jefferson College, Tate is expected to contribute in a JUCO-heavy bullpen. He made 11 appearances in 2024, totaling 57.2 innings and 63 strikeouts to just 18 walks with a 3.90 ERA.

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Dylan Crooks
Senior, Euless, Texas: Crooks made 25 appearances on the mound last season for the Sooners, finishing with a 4.11 ERA and 1-0 record in 30.2 innings pitched. He should lock up a solid relief spot.

James Hitt
Senior, Magnolia, Texas: Hitt made 17 appearances and seven starts on the mound and struck out 32 and walked 14 in 35.1 innings pitched for the Sooners in 2024. He showed some flashes last season out of the bullpen. Hitt could serve as a long reliever.