Prep Baseball Report

Cooney ‘Ready For The Next Step’ At Xavier


Bruce Hefflinger
Michigan Senior Writer

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Cooney ‘Ready For The Next Step’ At Xavier

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Sawyer Cooney RHP / SS / Bloomfield Hills, MI / 2025

BLOOMFIELD HILLS - It was the summer heading into sophomore year of high school when Sawyer Cooney began thinking about playing baseball at the next level.

“It was the first time my velocity jumped up,” Cooney reflected. “It was an ‘I can do this’ moment. Growing up playing college baseball was just an idea, but that was a moment when I began to believe that I can do this.”

That moment turned into a reality for the eighth-ranked senior right-handed pitcher in Michigan with a commitment to Xavier.

“I was playing on the Reds Scout team in the fall with coaches Greg Reinhard and Andy Stack and they got me in contact with coach Billy O’Conner,” Cooney related in reference to the Xavier head coach. “I got on a phone call, he liked me and I went on a visit.”

The trip to Cincinnati took place on Nov. 25.

“I loved what he had to offer,” Cooney said. “They offered me on the visit and I took it two weeks later.

“I love the coaches, that’s the main thing,” Cooney reasoned about his decision to choose Xavier as his college home. “I love what they had to offer as a program. It was a no-brainer. I left the visit and knew what I wanted.”

Being uncommitted months into his final year of high school at Bloomfield Hills was not a concern according to the 14th-rated 2025 in the state.

“It’s a sign of the times,” Cooney said. “I wasn’t too nervous. It was about trusting the process. I knew it would all play out in the end.”

Getting noticed by coaches was a key part of the recruiting process.

“Social media is a big thing,” the 17-year-old noted. “Prep Baseball helps a ton getting your name out there and coaches love to see it. That’s the biggest thing. Adam (Goodwin, Prep Baseball Michigan Director of Scouting) was constantly helping me, as were my coaches with the Reds.”

Xavier sees a lot of promise in Cooney, who pitched at the Prep Baseball Senior Future Games in Georgia in late July.

“They like what they saw on film of me pitching, how I move,” Cooney explained. “That started the interest. They liked me as a pitcher and as a prospect with how I move.”

Improvement was vital in making an impression on the coaches at the Big East Conference university.

“I could always throw hard, it was more about becoming a pitcher and understanding mental things on and off the mound, along with putting in the work,” Cooney said about what has helped him get better as a pitcher. “Doing those things has made it easier and less stressful for me. You just go out, have fun and do it with more confidence in yourself.”

The 6-3 175-pounder is of the belief he can be “a great teammate” at Xavier.

“I’m someone who encourages others, someone who wants to be there every day, someone who wants to work, someone who wants the ball,” Cooney related. “I’m a hard worker, a leader and a great teammate.”

Cooney pointed to Aaron Fields as a huge influence in becoming who he is today.

“I grew up hitting with him,” Cooney said. “He was in a mentor role helping me understand what it takes to be successful as a player and person. He was someone I looked up to.”

A commitment brings a great feeling of accomplishment for Cooney, a 3.6 student considering business as a possible college major.

“I was super happy and super excited to commit,” Cooney reflected. “Obviously the work is not done, but it was nice to just take a step back and admire stepping stones like that. My family was really happy for me.”

The anticipation of his days at college four hours from home also brings excitement.

“I’m looking forward to everything that comes with it,” Cooney concluded. “I’m ready to work hard and compete at a hard level. I’m ready for the next step.”

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