By BYRON BEERS
Seth Wright will give Collinsville a big boost on the mound in 2023.
Wright, the 2022 District 5A-4 Pitcher of the Year, has developed into the ace of the Cardinals’ pitching staff and has ample experience.
“Seth is a returning starter for us that already has two years of experience on the mound,” Collinsville head coach Tony Reeder said. “We will rely on him to lead this young pitching staff into the 2023 season. Seth is a hard working kid who has developed into our No. 1 guy on the mound.”
Collinsville, who went 35-8 last season and advanced to the semifinals of the Class 5A State Tournament, will be inexperienced in a lot of spots after graduating 10 seniors.
But Wright, who has played baseball since he was three years of age, is confident to prove the naysayers wrong.
“From a team standpoint, I feel like my team is being doubted and that we are going to shock a lot of people,” Wright said. “I feel we have a chance to make a strong run for the state championship. From an individual standpoint, I’m just going to improve on my season from last year.”
Wright, a left-hander, posted a 6-0 record and 3.29 earned run average as a junior. In 51 innings of work, he registered 65 strikeouts.
He relies on the movement of his pitches and looks up to four-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“My strength is the movement my pitches have,” Wright said. “I have improved on my confidence that I do have what it takes.
“I model my game after Clayton Kershaw. He doesn’t overpower people. He’s a finesse pitcher like me.”
Wright, whose favorite drill is pitching live at-bats, remembers outings he had over consecutive days in district games against Coweta as standout moments.
“My sophomore year against Coweta in district play. I got to pitch against them on back-to-back days and got the win,” he said.
In his free time, Wright, a 2021 District 5A-4 Honorable Mention selection, enjoys playing golf and hanging out with friends. He loves to represent his school in every possible way he can.
Wright was selected to participate in the 2022 Oklahoma State Games, a premier high school baseball all-star event.
