Home run-hitting Taylor Hawkins has developed into a complete player

Taylor Hawkins' first home run was hit off a tee as a 5-year-old. And he was batting left-handed.

"I was a switch-hitter in tee ball," the Carl Albert (Midwest City, Okla.) senior said. "It was a lot of fun."

Hawkins' last home run as a prep phenom was in the Titans' OSSAA state championship game, a 6-2 win over Claremore Saturday that gave Carl Albert (38-3) its third 5A baseball title in the last six years. Hawkins hit the home run while batting right-handed, just like every one of the school-record 74 homers he hit during his four years as the starting catcher. He shattered the previous mark of 47 set by J.T. Realmuto, now in the Miami Marlins' AA system.

Hawkins' home run in the title game was his 28th of the 2012 season, tying the school record for most round-trippers in a season. He finished the season batting .391, with 81 RBI and an on-base percentage of 1.548. His stellar career at the plate came as no surprise to anyone.

"We knew as soon as we saw him in the summer after his eighth-grade year that he was capable of great things," said coach Wayne Dozier, who in 14 years has three state titles, three runner-up finishes and 12 regional championships on his resume. "He started as a freshman catcher on our 2009 state championship team and his offense was the best part of his game."

But having never caught before, it didn't take long for Hawkins to realize that if he wanted to become a complete catcher, he needed to improve his defense.

"I wanted to get bigger, faster and stronger behind the plate," Hawkins recalled. "I needed to block better and be more consistent back there. Now, I feel like I do my job to the best of my capabilities, but obviously there is still more to learn."

His coach is very pleased with the progress he made.

"He has worked extremely hard to improve defensively and now I think he is as good defensively as he is offensively," Dozier added. "He has become a complete player as a result of his hard work. I would also add that he is an exceptional base runner and a very aggressive player on the base paths."

Having to work harder at his defensive skills also helped the 6-foot, 195-pound Hawkins become more of a leader.

"Taylor has matured through the years that we have had him," Dozier said. "He is now very dependable and reliable. The process that he went through to become a better defensive catcher has also transformed him into being a team leader. When he increased his work ethic and dedication, the other players noticed and began to respect him more and listen to what he had to say. The key to that is Taylor knows what needs to be said to help the team move toward our goals."

Those goals included winning this year's state championship, which gave Hawkins his second state title in baseball and third overall. The multi-talented athlete earned four varsity football letters and was a starting running back and safety on the school's 2009 state championship team.

"State titles never get old," Hawkins said proudly the day after winning his third. "I love the adrenaline rush, and getting to celebrate with your teammates is pretty awesome."

Now that his final high school baseball goal has been accomplished, the Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American has set his sights on the next level of baseball. He has accepted a full scholarship to play at the University of Oklahoma.

"O.U. just felt like home," said Hawkins, who also strongly considered LSU. 

And if he's drafted in June's Major League Amateur Draft?

"I have no idea as of right now," Hawkins said of what decision he'll make. "I'm going to wait and see where I'm taken in the draft."

His coach suggested he should talk to as many people as possible before deciding.

"He needs to make a decision that best fits him and his family," Dozier emphasized. "I believe that he needs to talk to as many players that he knows and trusts who are playing at the college and professional level to see what each of the levels are like and where he would fit best."

And once he makes that decision?

"My advice to him would be to find the player who is most dedicated and has the best work ethic and model him," Dozier added. "And then find the player who treats the other members of the team the best and model him, too."

On the field, Dozier says Hawkins' key to success at the next level will be continued improvement and consistency.

"I think that Taylor realized within the past year that you must continue to improve in all areas of your game to be a complete player and be respected by your teammates and your coaches," Dozier said. "At times, he has been streaky, but lately I can see that he is working hard to be consistent in his day-to-day performance."

His performance at Carl Albert over four years has left a lasting impression.

"Our baseball and football programs have been very successful over the past four years and Taylor's athleticism and talent have been a huge part of that success," athletic director Gary Rose said. "I wish we had many more like him."

Hawkins' passions don't end on the diamond. He's involved in the school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes program and, after his father was diagnosed with colon cancer two years ago, he and his family became active in community events involving cancer research. (Hawkins said his father is now free of cancer.)

Only time will tell whether Hawkins' next home run is hit as a Sooner or while wearing the jersey of a minor league team. But two things are certain: It will be hit while batting right-handed, and he's very much looking forward to it.

"I'm just going to keep doing what I love," Hawkins said.

Jon Buzby is a sports columnist for the Newark (Del.) Post, a freelance writer, and on the broadcast team of  the 1290AM The Ticket High School Football and Basketball Games of the Week. You can reach him at jonbuzby@hotmail.com.