Ritchie Announces Return to OSU for 2027 Season

The 2026 MLB Draft concluded Sunday evening, but Oklahoma State baseball fans were treated to a pleasant surprise in its winding moments.

Shortly after the draft ended, OSU slugger Kollin Ritchie announced he will return to Stillwater for the 2027 season. He did so by posting a photo of himself in the home dugout at O'Brate Stadium, captioned, "I'm back."

"I'm extremely thankful for the opportunity to go through the draft process and for everyone who has supported me along the way," Ritchie wrote. "After a lot of thought and conversations with my family, I've decided to come back to Oklahoma State for one more season and keep working toward what we set out to accomplish. Thank you to everyone who has been in my corner throughout the journey. We're not done yet."

The news is substantial, considering Ritchie was listed as the No. 84 overall prospect days ahead of the draft, according to the MLB Top 250 list. As a junior in 2026, Ritchie slashed .326/.462/.804. He ranked third in the Big 12 with 75 RBI, second with a 1.266 OPS, and fourth nationally in home runs with 31. He also logged the second-highest single-season home run total in program history, only behind Pete Incaviglia's 48 in 1984. He was a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, which is given to the top amateur baseball player and is widely considered the Heisman Trophy equivalent of college baseball.

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Here is a look at what Ritchie's return means for the Cowboys' 2027 campaign.

Why is Ritchie returning to OSU?

While the specifics behind Ritchie's return are unknown, throughout the season, pre-draft evaluations and scouting reports ranged from as low as the fifth round to as high as the second. The New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles were among the clubs most invested in Ritchie leading into the draft. However, he ultimately fell beyond his expected range, with the St. Louis Cardinals selecting him in the 20th round.

It is worth noting that assigned slot values are nonexistent for draftees taken beyond the 10th round. Thus, Ritchie might have been dissatisfied with his projected signing bonus, opting to return to OSU for another season to bolster his draft stock.

What Ritchie's announcement means for the Cowboys in 2027

The Cowboys were already expected to return a plethora of noteworthy pieces for next season, namely left-hander Ethan Lund , right-hander Stormy Rhodes and shortstop Brock Thompson, among others. Ritchie's return, however, firmly cements OSU as both a Big 12 favorite and a national contender heading into next season.

OSU head coach Josh Holliday often referred to Ritchie as "a country-strong Oklahoma kid in vintage slugger form" who can "launch baseballs into orbit."

Ritchie was a late bloomer as a high school prospect out of Atoka, Okla., with the Baltimore Orioles selecting him in the 19th round of the 2023 MLB Draft. However, he forwent his professional contract and honored his commitment to OSU.

He endured freshman growing pains in 2024 and struggled with injuries as a sophomore the following season. However, after batting .538 with five home runs and a bevy of defensive gems in center field during the 2025 Athens Regional, Ritchie carried immense buzz heading into his junior campaign.

And he backed it up. Shortly after came one of the best statistical seasons in OSU baseball lore, courtesy of four multi-homer games.

Now, as Holliday continues to piece together next year's roster, he has one of college baseball's premier power hitters and most efficient all-around bats returning to his lineup.

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What Ritchie's decision means for himself

Ritchie is 21 and turns 22 in September.

While his age works against his draft stock, it is worth noting that MLB scouts often prioritize tools and sheer upside above all else. At 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, Ritchie is built like a Division I linebacker but moves well and plays like a Power Four center fielder.

He came to OSU as a natural third baseman and has learned center field over the past two seasons. His defense might be his biggest liability; however, he showcased his ability in the outfield with a handful of highlight-reel plays this season.

Simultaneously, his 23.1% strikeout rate is less than ideal and might have put a slight dent in his stock. He has already flashed his upside as a power hitter. If he can limit his chase — swinging at pitches outside the strike zone — as a senior next season, that should bode well for his profile as a prospect in next year's draft.