Cowboys Reinforce the Rotation with 2026 RHP Max Hamilton
The consensus when speaking to incoming recruits is all the same. Oklahoma State head baseball coach Josh Holliday knows how to recruit incoming baseball players. The 2026 class for the Pokes is shaping up to be one of the best in recent years as the Cowboys once again look to bring the program back to the promised land of Omaha.
Oklahoma State has been loading up at skilled positions, but a program is only as good as the dudes on the mound. The Cowboys landed a monster on the mound who has a 10 grade from Perfect Game, which shows that he has the potential to be a monster arm at the next level. Hailing from Olath,e Kansas, 2026 right-hand pitcher Max Hamilton is primed to be the next big arm for Oklahoma State.
I’m very grateful and honored to continue my education and athletic career at Oklahoma State University. I would like to thank my family, friends, and coaches who have helped me along this journey. Your support and encouragement through the years has helped me tremendously, and I… pic.twitter.com/nsl3sKy1RV
— Max Hamilton (@Max_Hamilton31) September 25, 2024
"I had a great time when I went on my visit to Stillwater. When I got there, the first thing I realized was the relationship between the team," said Hamilton in a recent interview with OK State on SI. "If I had to pick one reason why I chose Oklahoma State, it would be the family feel, everything they did they did as a team, and that is a huge piece in choosing where I wanted to go."
Hamilton is one of the top pitching prospects in the state of Kansas, and for good reason. He has a tremendous fastball with stellar movement, and his hard work in the gym has been a key factor in perfecting his pitching form.
🚨 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 🚨
— Prep Baseball Kansas (@PrepBaseballKS) August 29, 2025
We revisit the senior class following their final summer campaigns, refreshing our rankings to include 250 players with plenty of movement throughout.
➕ Top 10 breakdown
➕ Risers and newcomers
➕ Complete rankings and… pic.twitter.com/CWjWR3n4NC
"Being in the gym has definitely helped me boost my velocity, and another thing would be staying flexible, because that’s where I unlock a lot of velo. I have a slider and a change-up to go along with my fastball. I would say I rely on my change-up more because it plays very well off of my fastball," Hamilton added.
Hamilton is not content on just being another name in the lineup. He has dedicated countless hours during the summer travel rotation as well as on the high school diamond. The 6-foot-2 gunslinger is well aware of what type of program he is entering at Oklahoma State.
‘26 RHP Max Hamilton (KS) cruises through the first & showing big arm speed. Sitting at 92-93 & bumped a 4 once in the first, heavy AS life. Mixing SL @ 78. #GoPokes commit. #WWBAWorlds @PGMidwestBB pic.twitter.com/ffUwjqjs0g
— Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) October 12, 2025
"The loyalty of the program is what drew me to the Cowboys. I wanted to go somewhere where I can develop and become the best baseball player I can possibly be. I hope to be a true freshman and contribute to the team from the moment I set foot on campus," said Hamilton.
With the list of committed recruits continuing to grow for Holliday and the Pokes, the Cowboys are shaping up to be a mainstay in future College World Series brackets.
Taylor Skieens has been an avid sports journalist with the McCurtain Gazette in Idabel, Oklahoma for seven years. He holds the title of Sports Editor for one of the oldest remaining print publications in the state of Oklahoma. Taylor grew up in the small lumber town of Wright City Oklahoma where he played baseball and basketball for the Lumberjax.