Q&A with Oral Roberts Commit Ben Graves
April 11, 2026
A major part of Lawrence Free State’s state championship run last season, INF Ben Graves (Lawrence Free State) is one of the top infielders in the state. He’s a high-level defender with a knack for the barrel at the plate, consistently producing multi-hit performances out of the top of the Firebirds order. A member of Team Kansas at the 2024 Prep Baseball Future Games, Graves committed to Oral Roberts last fall and will be a key leader for a Free State squad looking to repeat as state champions.
We recently had the chance to talk to Graves about his recruitment process, along with some other fun topics, below.
Our Q&A
Prep Baseball: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?
Ben: For me one of the most important was the coaching staff, it means a lot to me to have a good coaching staff that is honest and a close relationship with them as well as making me a better player. Oral Roberts has a great coaching staff and I’m looking forward to it.
PB: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?
B: Oral Roberts has a lot to like such as a great coaching staff, good facilities, but most importantly they are a winning program. I picked Oral Roberts because I know I will develop a lot there and have a chance to play.
PB: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?
B: Go to a school with a coaching staff who cares about you and you have a chance to make an impact immediately.
PB: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?
B: Not much but it is nice being semi close to home and only being about a 4 hour drive.
PB: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?
B: It started my summer going into junior year and I played in big events with a lot of coaches, I talked to multiple schools and eventually committed to Wichita State in that fall. After while I didn’t feel comfortable and reopened my recruitment knowing I wanted to go to Oral Roberts because it felt like a better fit.
PB: Was there a particular Prep Baseball tournament or showcase that helped accelerate your recruiting process? If yes, how so?
B: The Future Games had a major impact on my recruitment. Playing in such a big event with a lot of college coaches helped put me on more coaches radar and got me more interests.
PB: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?
B: Wichita State, Notre Dame
PB: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?
B: Beau Peterson is the easy answer, he’s physical and has great hit tools. As a hitter I’d say facing Max Hamilton in the box is a tough at bat. He gave me a lot of trouble last year.
PB: If you could steal any tool or quality from another player in the state, what would it be and who would it be from?
B: It would be nice to have Beau Peterson's body type, physical dude who’s tall and can still move really well.
PB: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?
B: Ryker Mahnke is a stud and he will be a great player for a long time.
PB: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?
B: I would say 14
PB: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?
B: Winning a state championship
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