Preston High School’s Kaden Dean
Preston senior Kaden Dean has been a program cornerstone for four years, and his impact stretches far beyond the batter’s box. The left-handed pitcher and center fielder has piled up more than 300 career hits while anchoring the outfield as what he calls the “captain out there.”
Dean said his parents are the driving force behind his success. “My mother and father, they’re the best role models and I wouldn’t be in my position without their sacrifices,” he said. Now a 12th-grader, he still points back to Algebra I with Mr. Watkins as a class that stood out, calling him the “G.O.A.T.” in the classroom.
On the field, Dean enjoys the strategic moments that come with being a feared hitter. His favorite unwritten rule is getting the 3-0 green light. “Most of the time you’ll get a middle-middle fastball and it’s hard not to swing,” he said with a smile. At the plate, he loves seeing a hanging curveball, which he calls self-explanatory for hitters.
Dean said the strength of Preston baseball is its tight-knit chemistry. “It’s hard to find a baseball team that has a chemistry like a real family,” he said. “We take accountability of each other and our coaches Ryan Hudson and Codie McCart set those examples for us.” He points to teammate Bryce McNac as the most vocal voice in the dugout and freshman catcher Jace Dixon as the one who always keeps the team laughing.
Ever since moving from Glenpool to Preston in eighth grade, Dean said the program has helped shape who he is. “Just being around a group of guys that I’m gonna be able to call friends for life is something I wouldn’t trade,” he said. Committed as the first Division I baseball signee in Preston High School history, headed to Kansas State, Dean said he knows challenges are coming. “There’s still lots of work to do and way more room for improvement when I leave for college,” he said. “It’s just gonna depend on how I take those on, and I believe I’m ready for it.”
