Working with future big leaguers molded Vilade

STILLWATER — Ryan Vilade was unaware at the time the importance of the ballplayer.

It was 2008, and Vilade was 9 years old running around Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas, with some of the Texas Rangers’ budding prospects.

But none more important to the Rangers and Vilade than a promising shortstop named Elvis Andrus.

Andrus was then 19 years old. He took Vilade under his wing. They fielded ground balls together. They talked about baseball.

Andrus was the first of a string of future Rangers to help Vilade’s development into Stillwater’s star shortstop and one of Oklahoma’s top MLB Draft prospects.

“At first, it was crazy,” Vilade said. “I knew they were professional athletes and they’re a big deal, but now pretty much all of them are in the big leagues now. To look back on it and what I learned from them is pretty unbelievable.”

As Vilade’s decorated high school career draws to a close in the next two weeks, he’s gone from Roughriders batboy to an Oklahoma State signee who is expected to be a reasonably high MLB draft pick.

He’s the product of a baseball life.

“I was pretty much born on a baseball field,” Vilade said.

He’s the oldest son of Oklahoma State assistant James Vilade, who played at Baylor before embarking on a coaching career that’s led to the minor leagues to scouting and to the college level.

James was coaching at University of Texas at Tyler when Ryan was the Roughriders’ batboy. When James moved to the Roughriders’ hitting coach position, Ryan became a summer staple in the clubhouse and on the field.

He worked with Andrus. He took batting practice Mike Olt, Rougned Odor and Joey Gallo.

Vilade also spoke with roving instructors and Frisco coaches, including hitting gurus Scott Coolbaugh and Jason Hart.

“I think a lot of the coaches I worked with saw his interest in baseball and really poured into him,” James said. “I got to be a dad first and coach second. It’s always nice to have him work with other people and get other information. I think he valued that, and it’s been part of his growth in the game.”

Ryan quickly started developing into a big prospect.

He played for Team USA’s 15-under team that won a silver medal. Last summer, he played for the 18-under team that won a gold medal.

He also won the Under Armour All-America Game Home Run Derby at Wrigley Field. He beat Louisville signee Jordon Adell and phenom Hunter Greene, a high school senior featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week.

“It showed I can play with them,” Vilade said.

Vilade, though, did not join Stillwater until this school year.

When his dad was hired at OSU before last season, he and his family remained in Frisco. But once it became apparent he would join the Stillwater Pioneers this year, they got excited.

His future teammates stalked him on social media. They looked up YouTube videos.

Coach Jimmy Harris had to talk with players about roles changing, too. And they all welcomed it.

“I was excited to learn from a guy who has played at a really high level,” said Dylan Gardner, who moved from shortstop to second. “He just has a higher understanding of the game, he adjusts and adapts really well.”

Even though he’s enjoying his first year in Stillwater, Vilade admits he originally planned for it only being the one year.

The MLB Draft is likely to call, and he wants to follow the guys who taught him so much about the game.

“My dream is to play in the big leagues one day,” Vilade said. “I’ll do anything I can. But if I don’t, I’ll go to Oklahoma State and play for my dad for three years, four years and hopefully win a national championship there.”