Cord Rager Emerges as OU's Ace After Key Pitching Adjustment

LAWRENCE, KS — When Cord Rager arrived at the University of Oklahoma, he was primarily recognized as a strong left-handed hitter with some pitching skills. However, during a bullpen session, Sooners recruiting coordinator Todd Butler approached head coach Skip Johnson with a specific request: “You think you can get his hand away from his head a little bit?” This adjustment was made under the guidance of Johnson, a highly regarded pitching coach known for mentoring elite talents like Clayton Kershaw.

Initially, Rager's pitching velocity hovered between 89-91 mph. But after altering his hand position, Johnson witnessed a remarkable transformation in Rager's performance, with his fastball reaching impressive speeds of 94 to 97 mph. “A different animal,” Johnson described Rager following the change.

Rager has since demonstrated his exceptional skills in the NCAA tournament, notably striking out six batters in six scoreless innings during Oklahoma's commanding 8-1 victory over Kansas in Game 1 of the Lawrence Super Regional. This victory brings the Sooners one step closer to the College World Series.

During the game, Rager's fastball consistently ranged from 94 to 97 mph, complemented by a breaking ball clocking in between 77 and 80 mph, along with an upper-80s cutter. Just over a year since graduating high school, the Maypearl, Texas, native has exhibited the poise of a seasoned ace. “It's just a process, just getting better every week,” Rager noted. “I attack hitters, that's who I am. I’m not afraid of anybody, so I just go out there and compete every time.”

Kansas coach Dan Fitzgerald acknowledged Rager’s unique presence on the mound, noting his impressive height of 6 feet 6 inches and his extraordinary fastball. “His fastball played up, he's got massive extension,” Fitzgerald said. “We just couldn't get into a rhythm.” Rager’s confidence and commanding performance have also impressed his teammates, with senior Dayton Tockey stating, “It's pretty special as a freshman arm to go at Division I hitters like he does, he's not scared of anybody at all.”

After refining his pitching technique, Rager decided to dedicate himself solely to pitching, relinquishing his hitting responsibilities. “It's a routine-oriented process,” Johnson explained. “All I did was try to put a structured program together and let him do his work.” Following a stellar performance in the Atlanta Regional, where he struck out eight batters against The Citadel, Rager is eager to continue his success as the Sooners prepare for Game 2 at 5 p.m. on Sunday, just one win away from Omaha, Nebraska. “The confidence is there,” he affirmed. “I believe we can win it all.”