Oklahoma’s high school baseball scene has solidified its reputation as a hotbed for elite talent, with an impressive string of first-round selections in the MLB Draft over the past five years. From 2021 to 2025, five Oklahoma preps have been selected in the first round, showcasing the state’s ability to produce top-tier prospects. This remarkable run, highlighted in a post on X, includes Jackson Jobe (2021, No. 3 overall, Detroit Tigers), Jackson Holliday (2022, No. 1 overall, Baltimore Orioles), Kash Mayfield (2024, No. 25 overall, San Diego Padres), and in 2025, Eli Willits (No. 1 overall, Washington Nationals) and Ethan Holliday (No. 4 overall, Colorado Rockies). This surge of talent underscores Oklahoma’s growing influence in professional baseball.
2021: Jackson Jobe, Heritage Hall (No. 3 overall, Detroit Tigers)
Kicking off this impressive streak, Heritage Hall’s Jackson Jobe was selected third overall by the Detroit Tigers in the 2021 MLB Draft. A right-handed pitcher with a fastball reaching the upper 90s and a devastating slider, Jobe was a standout at Heritage Hall in Oklahoma City. His selection marked the highest draft pick for an Oklahoma high school pitcher since 2011, signaling the state’s resurgence in producing elite arms. Jobe’s polish and athleticism made him a coveted prospect, and he has since been a key part of the Tigers’ farm system, showcasing the potential to become a frontline starter.
2022: Jackson Holliday, Stillwater (No. 1 overall, Baltimore Orioles)
In 2022, Stillwater High School’s Jackson Holliday became the No. 1 overall pick by the Baltimore Orioles, a historic moment for Oklahoma baseball. The son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday, Jackson, a left-handed hitting shortstop, displayed exceptional plate discipline, bat speed, and defensive skills. His .432 batting average, 17 home runs, and 79 RBIs in his senior season, combined with a .918 fielding percentage at shortstop, made him a consensus top prospect. Holliday’s rapid rise to the majors by age 21, where he now stars as Baltimore’s second baseman, highlights the caliber of talent coming out of Oklahoma’s high school ranks.
2024: Kash Mayfield, Elk City (No. 25 overall, San Diego Padres)
Elk City’s Kash Mayfield continued the momentum in 2024, selected 25th overall by the San Diego Padres. A left-handed pitcher with a low-90s fastball and a sharp breaking ball, Mayfield stood out for his command and poise on the mound. His senior season at Elk City saw him post a 0.78 ERA with 102 strikeouts in 54 innings, earning him recognition as one of the top high school pitchers in the draft. Mayfield’s selection as one of only two high school pitchers in the first round of 2024 underscored Oklahoma’s knack for producing not just position players but also high-upside arms.
2025: Eli Willits, Fort Cobb-Broxton (No. 1 overall, Washington Nationals)
The 2025 MLB Draft brought unprecedented pride to Oklahoma, with Fort Cobb-Broxton’s Eli Willits going No. 1 overall to the Washington Nationals. The 17-year-old switch-hitting shortstop, son of former MLB outfielder and current OU associate head coach Reggie Willits, reclassified from the 2026 class to make himself eligible a year early. Willits’ .516 batting average, nine home runs, 33 RBIs, and 48 stolen bases in his senior season, paired with a .979 fielding percentage, showcased his all-around skill set. Praised for his baseball IQ and defensive prowess, Willits was described by Nationals’ interim GM Mike DeBartolo as “the best hitter and fielder in the draft.” His selection marked the second time in four years an Oklahoma high schooler went No. 1 overall, a testament to the state’s rising prominence.
2025: Ethan Holliday, Stillwater (No. 4 overall, Colorado Rockies)
Joining Willits in the 2025 first round was Stillwater’s Ethan Holliday, selected fourth overall by the Colorado Rockies. The younger brother of Jackson Holliday and son of Matt Holliday, Ethan, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound infielder, drew comparisons to his father for his power and physicality. His senior season stats were staggering: a .611 batting average, 19 home runs, 64 RBIs, and a 1.295 slugging percentage, earning him the 2025 Gatorade Oklahoma Player of the Year and Baseball America’s High School Player of the Year honors. Ethan’s selection by the Rockies, the same organization that drafted his father in 1998, added a poetic note to his journey. The Holliday brothers became the third set of siblings to be selected in the top 10 of the MLB Draft, joining the Uptons and Youngs.
Oklahoma’s Baseball Renaissance
The run of first-round picks from 2021 to 2025—Jobe, Holliday, Mayfield, Willits, and Holliday—marks a golden era for Oklahoma high school baseball. The state’s last comparable achievement came in 2011, when Owasso’s Dylan Bundy (No. 4, Baltimore), Broken Arrow’s Archie Bradley (No. 7, Arizona), and Deer Creek’s Michael Fulmer (No. 44, supplemental round, New York Mets) were all first-round selections.
The 2025 draft, with two top-four picks in Willits and Holliday, is the first time since 2011 that Oklahoma has produced multiple first-rounders in a single year.This success reflects the state’s deep baseball roots, from small towns like Fort Cobb-Broxton to larger programs like Stillwater and Heritage Hall. The family ties—Willits with his father Reggie and brother Jaxon, and the Hollidays with their multi-generational legacy—add a layer of pride for Oklahoma fans.
These players’ work ethic, often honed in rural settings like Willits’ family ranch or through familial mentorship, resonates with the state’s gritty, hard-working ethos.
Looking Ahead
As Jobe, Holliday, Mayfield, Willits, and Holliday embark on their professional careers, they carry the torch for Oklahoma’s burgeoning baseball reputation. Willits and Holliday, in particular, have the potential to join Jackson Holliday in the majors, potentially making Oklahoma a focal point for MLB talent development. The state’s high school programs, coaches, and families continue to nurture prospects who compete on a national stage, ensuring that Oklahoma remains a force in future drafts.
