I am I
All-Conference
Khiry Cooper understands people asking why he’s not tearing it up in his second season with the Nebraska baseball team.
Questions like that come with the territory of being a fifth-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Angels coming out of a Shreveport, La., high school in 2008.
Cooper also knows most who ask don’t understand that even highly touted players have adjustments to make to reach their potential.
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NU sophomore Khiry Cooper (center) is 0-for-12 with seven strikeouts against Big 12 Conference pitching. “It’s a little more competitive,” he said of the pitching in the league, “but ... sometimes I haven’t gotten a hit, but I’ve hit it hard and to somebody.(LJS file)
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NU sophomore Khiry Cooper (center) is 0-for-12 with seven strikeouts against Big 12 Conference pitching. “It’s a little more competitive,” he said of the pitching in the league, “but ... sometimes I haven’t gotten a hit, but I’ve hit it hard and to somebody.(LJS file)
Add to that the fact he’s splitting time between baseball and football, and it’s easy to see why Cooper is level-headed about trying to break through as an every-day contributor.
“In this situation, you have to learn how to be that way, because if you’re not you’re going to get frustrated, and nothing good will come of that,” Cooper said Thursday after the Huskers finished preparations for this weekend’s home series against Southeast Missouri State. “I kind of leave that (draft stuff) alone. Now I’m at college and I’m having to be patient.”
Mostly, the patience concerns his offense, because the 6-foot-3 and 197-pound sophomore tracks down balls in the outfield with ease. His arm strength’s also improved.
Cooper, though, is 0-for-12 with seven strikeouts against Big 12 Conference pitching. Last year in the league, he was 5-for-24 (.208) with two walks and eight strikeouts.
“It’s a little more competitive,” he said of the pitching in the league, “but ... sometimes I haven’t gotten a hit, but I’ve hit it hard and to somebody.
“This year from last year is like night-and-day change. I’m more confident at the plate and in the field. I haven’t gotten as many reps and pitches, but I feel like I’ve progressed.”
Outside of the Big 12, Cooper is 14-for-41 (.341). Last year, he went 11-for-46 (.239) in nonconference games.
“Scouting reports have really shown some weaknesses,” said NU coach Mike Anderson, referring to the heavy dose of off-speed pitches Cooper has seen. “But I’d also say he’s working really hard. ... Like everybody else in this game, you’re going to have to make adjustments.”
The highest draftee to play for the Huskers since second-rounder Turner Gill in 1980, Cooper will be a strong candidate to start in center field next season. He’ll spend this summer in Lincoln going though football conditioning and weight training, but also hopes to get on the diamond some weekends.
“I love the game of baseball and I’m having a blast,” Cooper said. “It’s a tremendous opportunity, no matter what kind of year we have, and I’m not taking it for granted.
Well, glad he is getting all he wants out of college athletics. if I could play 2 sports, I probably would try too. But why be mediocre at two, when maybe, he could be great at one or the other? Imagine if he just did baseball and in another year or two bettered his 5th round draft choice? Or quit baseball and concentrated on football and in 2 years was a top 3 or 4 B12 WR? He probably is totally comfortable in playing 2 sports and is having a lot of fun and growing as a young man into the world. As long as his grades are good and he is a good citizen, really who can say nay?
Well, I will say half-nay....Khiry, do one or the other. You're either losing a future as a big leaguer or not fully helping the Huskers in Memorial. Time to decide...football or baseball. Don't be 'just okay' at several things...'be great at one'...just MHO
Questions like that come with the territory of being a fifth-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Angels coming out of a Shreveport, La., high school in 2008.
Cooper also knows most who ask don’t understand that even highly touted players have adjustments to make to reach their potential.
[+]Enlarge
Story Photo
NU sophomore Khiry Cooper (center) is 0-for-12 with seven strikeouts against Big 12 Conference pitching. “It’s a little more competitive,” he said of the pitching in the league, “but ... sometimes I haven’t gotten a hit, but I’ve hit it hard and to somebody.(LJS file)
Story Photo
NU sophomore Khiry Cooper (center) is 0-for-12 with seven strikeouts against Big 12 Conference pitching. “It’s a little more competitive,” he said of the pitching in the league, “but ... sometimes I haven’t gotten a hit, but I’ve hit it hard and to somebody.(LJS file)
Add to that the fact he’s splitting time between baseball and football, and it’s easy to see why Cooper is level-headed about trying to break through as an every-day contributor.
“In this situation, you have to learn how to be that way, because if you’re not you’re going to get frustrated, and nothing good will come of that,” Cooper said Thursday after the Huskers finished preparations for this weekend’s home series against Southeast Missouri State. “I kind of leave that (draft stuff) alone. Now I’m at college and I’m having to be patient.”
Mostly, the patience concerns his offense, because the 6-foot-3 and 197-pound sophomore tracks down balls in the outfield with ease. His arm strength’s also improved.
Cooper, though, is 0-for-12 with seven strikeouts against Big 12 Conference pitching. Last year in the league, he was 5-for-24 (.208) with two walks and eight strikeouts.
“It’s a little more competitive,” he said of the pitching in the league, “but ... sometimes I haven’t gotten a hit, but I’ve hit it hard and to somebody.
“This year from last year is like night-and-day change. I’m more confident at the plate and in the field. I haven’t gotten as many reps and pitches, but I feel like I’ve progressed.”
Outside of the Big 12, Cooper is 14-for-41 (.341). Last year, he went 11-for-46 (.239) in nonconference games.
“Scouting reports have really shown some weaknesses,” said NU coach Mike Anderson, referring to the heavy dose of off-speed pitches Cooper has seen. “But I’d also say he’s working really hard. ... Like everybody else in this game, you’re going to have to make adjustments.”
The highest draftee to play for the Huskers since second-rounder Turner Gill in 1980, Cooper will be a strong candidate to start in center field next season. He’ll spend this summer in Lincoln going though football conditioning and weight training, but also hopes to get on the diamond some weekends.
“I love the game of baseball and I’m having a blast,” Cooper said. “It’s a tremendous opportunity, no matter what kind of year we have, and I’m not taking it for granted.
Well, glad he is getting all he wants out of college athletics. if I could play 2 sports, I probably would try too. But why be mediocre at two, when maybe, he could be great at one or the other? Imagine if he just did baseball and in another year or two bettered his 5th round draft choice? Or quit baseball and concentrated on football and in 2 years was a top 3 or 4 B12 WR? He probably is totally comfortable in playing 2 sports and is having a lot of fun and growing as a young man into the world. As long as his grades are good and he is a good citizen, really who can say nay?
Well, I will say half-nay....Khiry, do one or the other. You're either losing a future as a big leaguer or not fully helping the Huskers in Memorial. Time to decide...football or baseball. Don't be 'just okay' at several things...'be great at one'...just MHO
