Led by MLB draft target, Keller baseball’s goal is to ‘Win Texas’
Keller senior shortstop Cole Koeninger has a bright future ahead of him.
He is expected to hear his name called in the 2026 MLB draft in July, as he is MLB.com’s No. 89-ranked prospect. He could also continue his career at Tennessee, a school known for competing at college baseball’s highest level.
But for now, Koeninger is savoring the final moments of his baseball career at Keller High School. He went 3 for 4 with a two-run home run Saturday at Coppell ISD’s Cowboy Field to help guide the Indians to a 7-3 win in game three of a Class 6A Division I regional semifinal series against Flower Mound.
“Right now, I’m just focused on getting wins and making a run to the state championship,” Koeninger said. “I’m not too worried about the future right now, but just trying to play for these guys and keep winning.”
Keller baseball isn’t a stranger to deep postseason runs. The Indians have made consecutive regional finals and made a state championship game appearance in the 2021 season, falling 4-3 to Rockwall Heath.
The program is a consistent threat to win a district title and hasn’t missed the playoffs since the 2002 season — that’s 24 consecutive playoff berths. The team is led by head coach Rob Stramp, who started coaching Keller in 1998.
Stramp, a former TCU baseball assistant coach and member of Texas’ 1975 National Championship-winning squad, isn’t shying away from the team’s ultimate goal of competing for titles and making history for the community.
“It’s tradition, and these guys, their expectation is to advance, and that’s a huge part of playoffs — belief and expectations in yourself,” Stramp said. “ … These guys have been there. … Our goal is to win Texas. Because we feel like we’re capable, year in and year out.”
The impact of generational talent
Stramp has seen some fantastic high school baseball players over the years at Keller High School, including two-time All-Star and three-time World Series champion Max Muncy, an infielder who now plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Stramp said Koeninger, who has a 6-foot-3, 210 pound frame, is the most talented to every come through the program, and emphasized his variety of tools, which includes elite fielding, pitching and hitting.
“He’s our lead-off hitter, best offensive player, and ace on the mound,” Stramp said. “He’s multifaceted; he makes things happen.”
On Friday, the two-way standout took the mound with his team facing elimination and tossed a gem. In a complete game shutout, he allowed one hit, walked two batters and recorded 16 strikeouts. He took a no-hitter into the seventh inning with a fastball that reaches 95 mph.
His senior season has been a continuation of elite play, something he’s been doing since his sophomore year. As a junior, Koeninger earned District 4-6A MVP and Star-Telegram First Team All-Area honors. He also played on the 18U USA Baseball National Team.
“The thing I’ve appreciated about him is that he’s been a real team guy,” Stramp said. “Whether if things aren’t going good for him, it doesn’t faze him, and he’s there for the team. He truly just wants to advance and keep winning.”
Several of Koeninger’s teammates credited him for his leadership and the example he sets, including senior Brock Burkett, who also served as Keller football’s quarterback this past season.
“He’s a great teammate, and he’s always keeping us all accountable,” Burkett said. “He definitely shows up on the field and sets a great example for us to follow.”
Koeninger isn’t the only talented player on the roster, though. On Saturday, several of his teammates stepped up and showed out. Starting pitcher Connor Davenport put his team in a position to win, Burkett hit a go-ahead three-run home run, and relief pitcher Cameron Ireland slammed the door on the series.
“Just an amazing performance, the last two days after falling behind the first game,” Koeninger said. “Can’t give enough credit to these guys about how we fought with their backs against the wall,” Koeninger said.
Chasing the ultimate goal
Up next, Keller will face District 4-6A rival Euless Trinity (26-10-2, 12-4 district) in a regional final series at a time and place that is to be determined. It should be competitive, as the two squads split the regular season matchups; Keller (35-3-2, 15-1 district) won the District 4-6A title.
“There is definitely going to be some challenges in the future, but we just have to keep playing our game and keep doing what we do,” Koeninger said. “ ... This squad is just really tight on and off the field. We built great camaraderie, and we really just bonded all together really well.”
There have been plenty of talented Keller teams in the past that have fallen short. What could make this squad different? This year’s group is confident in an offense that has scored 306 runs in 41 games (7.5 per contest), consistent starting pitching and strong team chemistry.
“We can hurt you anywhere in the lineup,” Burkett said. “I think our lineup is the best I’ve been a part of in my time here. We got guys who can hit the ball all over the place anytime. ... We play clean baseball. I think we can beat anybody, and I think we’re the best team, and we’re ready for it.”
The team recognizes that to keep the season going, they’ll need a championship mentality that goes beyond talent. At this point in the playoffs, especially in Class 6A Division I, every team is talented.
Ireland said he is trusting the resiliency Keller has developed — they flashed some of it after dropping game one of the regional semifinals to Flower Mound, and they’ll need it for the challenges ahead.
“If we get down, then we’re not down for long,” Ireland said. “We’re still in the game. You stay in the game and play seven innings for a reason.”
Koeninger called the fleeting moments of high school baseball “unbelievably special.” He said he knows that every round Keller progresses to could be the last opportunity to play with childhood friends, represent his community and chase a state title.
“I don’t take any of it for granted,” Koeninger said. “And it’s super special, these games where you’ve got to win or go home. You want to win another one for this school and the city, so you’ve got to keep fighting.”
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