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Commitment Q&A: Christian Cooney '19/OF - University of Portland recruit

May 13, 2019
Dan Jurik
Scouting Director - Pacific Northwest

Christian Cooney, 2019 OF from Central Catholic will bring his well-rounded combination of tools to the University of Portland next season. 

PBR: Why did you choose Portland?  

CC: I chose the University of Portland because I really liked the coaching staff and the strong community the baseball program has built there.  I am from Portland so I am really looking forward to being able to play the sport I love at the collegiate level in the city I grew up in.  It is a school very well known for its academics, which was important to me and my family.  My mother and grandfather both graduated from UP so it was important to me to continue the legacy

 PBR: What other schools were you considering?

CC: Aside from Portland I was considering Oregon and Boise St.  I had also talked to a few D2 schools such as Western Oregon and Montana State. 

PBR: Where did the coaching staff first see you play? Who on staff was your primary recruiter? 

CC: I created a pretty good relationship with their recruiting coordinator Jacob Valentine.  He had seen me play in a couple tournaments with Baseball Northwest and he attended my Area Codes try out.

PBR: Who do you play for in the summer/fall and what has that experience been like? 

CC: I have played in multiple tournaments with Baseball Northwest since 8th grade which is always a good experience.  They always attract really solid talent from all across the northwest.  I have met a lot of coaches and amazing teammates through them.  I have also played with Gunderson Baseball since sophomore year, coached by Derek Dukart and Kevin Gunderson.  I believe we are the most talented travel team in Oregon.  That is a team I will never forget, those are my brothers, we always have an amazing time during the summer season. 

PBR: What is your most memorable baseball moment to date?

CC: I have had plenty of amazing experiences during my baseball career so it’s hard to just narrow it down to one.  But some of my most memorable moments came in my junior high school season, which has been one of my most successful and fun seasons to date.  From starting the season off to a 9-0 start to leading off the quarter-finals with a home run, those are memories I will never forget.   

PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher you have faced in Oregon?

CC: I have faced quite a few tough pitchers in Oregon but the ones that gave me the hardest time at the plate were Jaren Hunter from Barlow and Alex Giroux from Lake Oswego 

PBR: Any pre-game superstitions?

CC: I am not the most superstitious person, but I always eat a good meal before game time and stretch as much as possible.  I also like the saying; “look good, play good” so I make sure that I look just like the pros when I play because, I mean who doesn’t want to look cool? 

PBR: Favorite MLB player and why?

CC: My all-time favorite player will always be Ken Griffey Jr.  I am from Portland and I never really had a MLB team to root for so I kind of became a Mariners fan by default. Watching Griffey hit was always fascinating to me, it was so easy to him and he kept everything so simple at the plate.  He also made me wish I was left handed   

PBR: What would be your top walk-out song? (The edited version)

CC: I always have a tough time choosing a walk-up song because I like a large variety of music. So I think it would be a tie between “Trophies” by Drake and “No Role Modelz” By J Cole