Cord Rager's Transformation into an Ace Propels OU Baseball Forward

LAWRENCE, KS — Cord Rager arrived at the University of Oklahoma as an impressive left-handed hitter with the potential to pitch. However, during a bullpen session, Sooners recruiting coordinator Todd Butler prompted head coach Skip Johnson for a crucial adjustment. “You think you can get his hand away from his head a little bit?” Butler inquired, knowing Johnson's reputation as a top-tier pitching coach, having trained stars like Clayton Kershaw.

As Johnson observed Rager throw, the freshman consistently clocked pitches around 89-91 mph. Once he implemented the hand adjustment, Rager's velocity surged to impressive levels, hitting 94, 95, and even 96 mph. “A different animal,” Johnson remarked, highlighting the significant change in Rager's performance.

Rager has since excelled in the NCAA baseball tournament, recently striking out six batters in six scoreless innings during an 8-1 victory over Kansas in the opening game of the Lawrence Super Regional. This triumph puts Oklahoma just one win away from reaching the College World Series.

During his latest outing, Rager's fastball ranged from 94 to 97 mph, complemented by an effective breaking ball and an upper-80s cutter. The 6-foot-6 pitcher from Maypearl, Texas, has displayed remarkable composure on the mound, reminiscent of a seasoned senior. “It's just a process, just getting better every week,” Rager stated. “I attack hitters, that's who I am. I’m not afraid of anybody, so I just go out there and compete every time, work with the process and it works.”

Kansas coach Dan Fitzgerald noted Rager's unique presence, labeling him a significant outlier among freshman pitchers. “His fastball played up, he's got massive extension,” Fitzgerald commented, acknowledging Rager's combination of skills and confidence. Senior teammate Dayton Tockey also praised Rager, saying, “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 receiving coaching adjustments, Rager opted to focus entirely on pitching, abandoning his role as a hitter. “It's a routine-oriented process,” Johnson explained, attributing Rager's talent to his natural ability while emphasizing the importance of structured training. With the Sooners just one victory away from Omaha, they will return for Game 2 at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Following his latest performance, Rager expressed confidence in his team’s capabilities. “The confidence is there,” he affirmed. “We have a really good team. I believe we can win it all.”