THSB Cover Boy: Cole Koeninger, Sr, SS/RHP, Keller

Cole Koeninger is a 6’3” 213 Senior SS/RHP for the 4-6A Keller Indians. He has signed with the University of Tennessee.

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

As a junior, Koeninger hit .419 with 17 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 39 RBI, 38 Runs, 23 BB, 23 SB, a .516 OBP and a .767 SLG. On the mound, he was 8-1 with 96 K, a 0.92 ERA, a 0.961 WHIP in 60.1 Innings. He was named the 4-6A MVP. He was also named the SportsDayHS Offensive Player of the Year. He was selected to the 6A TSWA All-State Team as a 3rd Team SS.

In his sophomore season, Koeninger hit .282 with 4 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 19 RBI, 21 Runs, 13 BB, 5 SB, a .375 OBP and a .398 SLG.

As a freshman, he hit .258 with  3 2B, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 13 Runs, 4 SB, a .372 OBP and a .348 SLG

OTHER BASEBALL RECOGNITION

2025 – USA Baseball U18 National Team
2025 – Prep Baseball All-American Game
2025 – Dick’s Sporting Goods PG All-American Classic
2025 – Rangers Area Code Upperclass Team
2024 – Prep Baseball All-American Game
2024 – Rangers Area Code Underclass Team

INTERVIEW

When did you know you might have a future in baseball?

I always played baseball growing up. It was definitely my first love and I always worked hard at it but never really knew how far I could really go. But in my freshman year in high school, I realized that it wasn’t just a dream. I thought that having a future in baseball could be a reality for me. So I would say that my freshman year in high school was a big turning point for me.

Keller only had 4 returning starters last year but went to the Regional Finals. How did things come together for you guys last year?

It was a really tight group last year. We all came together as a team. I think we had a lot of guys who were really good, We just didn’t have a ton of varsity experience. So working throughout the season, especially throughout the off-season, we started becoming a cohesive unit and that was really big for us. And by the end of the regular season we became a pretty good team and then made a good run in the playoffs.

Was there a particular time when you realized that you guys were going to be good?

When we finished district. I remember thinking that we had a pretty solid team and that we could make a good run at this if we played our best game each week.

You are in the same boat this year with 4 returning starters. How do you feel about this year’s team?

I think we have a really good team this year. We are going to be fairly young but we have a few returning starters with quite a bit of experience. I think we have a chance to have a really deep pitching staff. And we are going to have some younger guys who will get some opportunities to help us out. But we should be a solid team this year.

What do you think it will take for this year’s team to make that long playoff run like last year?

I think we are going to have to be able to do it at the plate. As I mentioned, I think we’re going to have a solid pitching staff. We need our hitters to produce. Obviously, our pitchers need to do what they need to do but I think if we can hit we can make a really good run at this thing.

How do you see your role on this year’s team?

I think it will be similar to last year. Obviously as a senior on the team, I’m going to be one of the leaders. I’ll be a starter on the mound and whenever I’m not pitching, I’ll be playing shortstop. I will probably be hitting in the one-hole or three-hole. But I should have a big role and be one of the guys that help carry the team.

How was your USA Baseball experience?

It was a one of a kind experience. It’s nothing like anything I’ve ever done in the baseball world. Super, super fun experience. Getting to travel overseas with a bunch of the best players in the country, getting to win that gold medal was just super cool.

Why Tennessee?

When I stepped on campus in Knoxville, it just felt like home. I loved the coaches there, the culture, the fan base, all their values and how they go about things from day to day. The talent they’re getting to the next level is second to none so it’s just a great place to be. Their program is taking huge strides and they are on  of the most popular programs in college baseball. So it was very appealing to me.

PERSONAL

Parents: Jeff and Stephanie Koeninger
Age: 18
Siblings: 1 older brother (Jake)
Current Favorite Group/Singer: Zach Bryan
Favorite Restaurant: Chipotle
Go to Fast Food: Chick-Fil-A
Last movie I saw: Hacksaw Ridge
If you could travel to any place, where would you go: Bora Bora
What do you like to do outside baseball: golf, pickleball, hanging with friends, going to the lake
Favorite MLB Player: Mike Trout
Biggest win last spring season: Game 2 of the Area Quarterfinal playoffs against Hebron
Summer baseball highlight: Winning a gold medal with Team USA in Okinawa, Japan