Baseball America College World Series Sleeper Teams

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Oklahoma It was another successful season in Norman for the Sooners, who made the tournament for the third-straight season after making it to the College World Series final in 2022. They went 40-21 (23-7 Big 12) and hosted a regional, though they were bounced by UConn. While the SEC will provide a sizable challenge, the Sooners again have the ingredients for a deep postseason run. I’m a particular fan of their rotation, which is headlined by potential first-round pick Kyson Witherspoon (8-3, 3.71 ERA). On the heels of an impressive sophomore season, Witherspoon had an equally impressive summer that was split between the Cape League and team USA.

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Joining Kyson will be his twin brother, Malachi Witherspoon (2-2, 5.64 ERA), and lefthander Cade Crossland (9-2, 2.37 ERA). Crossland starred at Weatherford College in 2024 and possesses a fastball that has been up to 95 mph, a breaking ball that has flashed above-average and a comfortably-plus changeup that is one of the best of its kind—at least in the college ranks—in this year’s draft. LSU transfer Cam Johnson (0-0, 12.00 ERA) is in line for consistent innings, while head coach Skip Johnson has a litany of bullpen arms at his disposal.

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The offense will again be led by catcher Easton Carmichael, who hit an impressive .366/.406/.563 with 31 extra-base hits, 64 RBIs and 12 stolen bases last spring. Senior Scott Mudler (.279/.367/.401) will provide maturity and a slow heartbeat that is synonymous with most veterans, while sophomore outfielder Jason Walk (.281/.376/.414) has a chance to break out. A high-level athlete and plus runner, Walk will man center field, and his skillset allows him to impact the game in myriad ways. The Sooners will have to rise to the occasion offensively and face a daunting SEC schedule, but their pitching staff could be the root of a deep postseason run.

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