2026 OSSAA Team Preview: Stroud Tigers
February 25, 2026
The Oklahoma high school baseball season kicks off on Feb. 23 for classes A and B and Mar. 1 for classes 2A-6A, opening day for regular season action under OSSAA regulations. Leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2025 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down to the official Prep Baseball Oklahoma Preseason Power 25 Rankings.
Perennially, we’ve submitted a preseason questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.
Our 2026 preseason coverage continues today.
High School: Stroud
Head Coach: DJ McIntyre (9 years)
Classification: 2A
2025 Record (Finish): 24-11
2026 SEASON OUTLOOK
No. of Returning Position Players: 7
No. of Returning Pitchers: 16
Top Returners:
- Jeremiah Cropp: 6’2 190, L/R
- Returning Route 66 Conference MVP.
- Jessen Leathers: 5’10 200, R/R.
- Cal Shields: 6' 160, R/L
Top Newcomers:
- Gideon Smalley: P/OF, 6’1 170.
- Gage Bailey: C/SS/P, 5’9 170.
- Lane Day: INF, 5’11 160.
Key Players Lost:
- Dylan Baker
Coach’s Insight: “We have lots of experience returning and we'll be solid defensively and offensively. We just need to work on getting better everyday." – DJ McIntyre , head coach
Outlook: Stroud returns a talented core from last year's squad that ultimately lost a heartbreaker to Latta as their comeback effort came up just short. A majority of the lineup will return and be supplemented by talented newcomers as well. They will have athleticism, specifically at the top, that should make them dynamic and allow them score in a variety of ways which is all the more important in May when runs can be tough to come by in postseason play. Their versatility should allow them to continue playing strong defense despite who is on the mound. The returners throughout hte middle of the diamond will be a big part of that as well. Coming off a strong year a season ago, Stroud appears primed to take another step with returning experience throughout their lineup, talented newcomers, and a foundation built on steady pitching and defense.
Find more information on the 2026 Stroud High School program below:
+ Visit Prep Baseball Oklahoma’s 2026 OSSAA Team Previews page to learn more.
+ If you are a high school coach and didn’t receive our questionnaire, please click HERE to fill out the form