Oklahoma’s best high school baseball players: Meet the state’s top infielders

A group of play-making shortstops highlights this year’s list

By Glen Brockenbush 

Photo of Washington's Camden Bates (left)

SBLive Oklahoma has been showcasing the top baseball players by positional category in the state, and now, we take a look at the best infielders in the state.

As is often the case, many of the top infielders play shortstop, as the position typically requires a combination of speed, arm strength and fielding prowess that is reserved for the best athletes on the team. Here is a list of some of the top infielders in the state of Oklahoma through the 2023 baseball season, in alphabetical order.

Oklahoma's best high school baseball players for 2023

Pitchers | Outfielders | Catchers

Cade Baldridge, Sr., Shortstop, Roff

Baldridge is a big part of the baseball machine that is Roff. The Tigers are seeking their fifth consecutive spring baseball state championship. Baldridge is committed to junior college powerhouse Cowley College in Kansas next year.

Chago Barham, Jr., Shortstop , Duncan

We could honestly choose multiple infielders from the reigning Class 5A state champions, but Barham is by far the big bat in the Demons’ lineup.

He’s got a sturdier build than most shortstops, but still moves really well and has a strong arm from the hole. His offensive stats show what a power hitter he is, with a .478 batting average, 10 doubles, four homers, 32 RBIs and just five strikeouts, not to mention an insane .812 slugging percentage (stats are through April 18).

Camden Bates, Sr., Shortstop, Washington

The Tennessee signee is one of the smoother fielders in the state, and is a consistent hitter and good athlete.

Mario Berumen, So., Shortstop, Navajo

He may not be a household name compared to some of the other high-profile prospects. But he’s got outstanding speed, as well as great fielding ability.

Of all the top infielders at the Marlow Outlaw Tournament earlier in April, Berumen shined above the crowd.

Braylon Brooks, Jr., Shortstop, Tuttle

A three-year starter for the Tigers, Brooks is committed to Oklahoma State, and having an excellent junior season. He’s hitting .357 with three home runs, 26 RBIs, six doubles and four triples.

Damien Callagy, Sr., Shortstop, Elgin

Callagy might not be as highly touted as a prospect as others on this list, but as the leadoff man for one of the top teams in 5A, he’s more than earned a spot.

He’s batting .417 for the Owls with 43 hits, 37 runs and a staggering 26 stolen bases.

Grayson Childers, Sr., Shortstop, Broken Arrow

The Tigers are one of the top teams in the state, and Childers is a massive reason for that, both at the plate and in the field.

He’s batting .404 (as of April 26) with seven homers and 14 doubles. Just as impressive, he’s got a .949 fielding percentage.

Zeb Henry, Sr., Shortstop, Bartlesville

Committed to Eastern Oklahoma State, Henry leads the Bruins with 35 runs and 16 stolen bases. He also has an OPS of .802.

Samuel Gonzalez, Jr., Third Baseman, Midwest City Carl Albert

The Titans have an entire infield of stars, but Gonzalez is hitting a blistering .506 with five home runs, 11 doubles and 36 RBIs.

Ethan Holliday, So., Shortstop, Stillwater

It would be easy to write this off as pure nepotism - the younger brother of last year’s No. 1 overall MLB draft pick Jackson Holliday and son of former Major League All-Star Matt Holliday - but that’s not the case.

Ethan is considered one of the top players in the entire country for his class, thanks to his smooth fielding and patient approach at the plate.

RJ Jackson, Sr., First Baseman, Choctaw

A Tulsa football signee, Jackson is also a big power bat for the Yellow Jackets, who recently wrapped up a district championship in a really tough district. Jackson is hitting .440 with five home runs and 37 RBIs.

Dax Joyce, Sr., Third Baseman, OKC Bishop McGuinness

He has only played for about the last month of the season due to an ACL injury last season. He announced his presence with a homer in just his third game back from the injury.

Kyle Miller, Sr., Shortstop, Lone Grove

He’s the heart of a Lone Grove team that recently wrapped up a district championship. The senior is batting .444 with 36 runs, 11 doubles and 17 steals.

Dax Noles, Jr., Shortstop, Norman

While his athletic future might be in football, Noles is a stud on the diamond, too. Through April 20, the junior was hitting .405 with 34 hits, 12 doubles and five home runs.

One of the most staggering stats is that 20 of his 34 hits were for extra bases.

Avery Ortiz, Sr., Shortstop, Tulsa Union

The Oklahoma State signee is one of the top shortstops in the entire country. You rarely see his type of power hitting from the shortstop position.

Kyler Proctor, Sr., Shortstop, Silo

Another future OSU Cowboy, Proctor already has a history of big hits, having helped the Rebels to back-to-back state championships, as well as a fall ball championship in 2021.

Kollin Ritchie, Sr., First Baseman, Atoka

Yet another Oklahoma State commit, Ritchie is the key to Atoka’s success. He’s also a standout pitcher for the Wampus Cats, but it’s at first base where he’ll likely play in college.

Jax Ryan, Sr., Shortstop, Verdigris

Has one of the smoothest and most powerful swings in the entire state, hitting more than 10 home runs this season, and often doing so with a swaggering bat flip. Ryan is headed to Arizona State in the fall.

Taber Stokes, Sr., Shortstop, Mustang

While offense may steal the headlines, it’s with the glove where Stokes often shines. One of the top defensive shortstops in the state, Taber can provide some clutch hits as well.

Jaxon Willits, Sr., Shortstop, Fort Cobb-Broxton

Willits is a power-hitting shortstop who is hitting .548 (through April 24) and has an on-base percentage of .659 with four home runs, 40 runs and 20 walks.

Next season, he’ll go join his dad, former Major Leaguer and current University of Oklahoma assistant Reggie Willits, in Norman.

Hutch Russell, Jr., Second Baseman, Midwest City Carl Albert

Russell is already fielding offers from multiple college teams for a Titans' squad that finished the regular season 28-7. In that span, Russell batted .468 with a .534 on-base percentage and a .904 slugging percentage.

He hit nine home runs, 10 doubles and two triples while scoring 36 runs and driving in 45 more. In addition, he batted .568 with runners in scoring position.