Campus Newcomer: Cedar Falls INF Colin Coonradt
We kick off the Iowa Baseball campus newcomers series with an infielder from the Hawkeye State. Out of Cedar Falls High School, Colin Coonradt is rated as the #2 shortstop and the #7 overall prospect in the state by Perfect Game. He is also rated as the #83 shortstop in the country. As a junior last season, Coonradt batted .397, with 11 doubles, six triples, nine home runs and 45 RBI’s for a Tigers team that advanced all the way to the 4A State Semifinals at Duane Banks Field. This season, Colin batted .404, with a .600 on-base percentage, including nine doubles, two triples, five home runs and 33 RBI’s. He initially committed to play his collegiate baseball at Johnson County CC, but flipped his commitment to Iowa back in August of 2023.
We caught up with the 6-foot-0, 200 pound infielder to preview his upcoming freshman season with the Hawkeyes.
Q: When do you move to Iowa City and what is your excitement level like for that move in day?
COONRADT: We move in August 18, but I plan on rooming with a current player prior until then to get started a little early. I am extremely excited to move in and get things going, while getting to know my teammates more
Q: What number do you plan to wear and why?
COONRADT: I would love to wear number 8, there isn’t really any significance to that number I just happened to choose it when I started playing travel ball then picked it when high school came around and it has treated me well.
Q: You were selected as a finalist for The Courier Male High School Athlete of the Year, what does it mean to you to be considered for that honor?
COONRADT: Being a finalist for that award is a huge honor, and I give all the glory to God. He has blessed me with athletic ability to be able to play sports like baseball and football at such a high level. I hope in doing so I can make an impact on the younger generation to want to strive for that same award.
Q: You just recently finished up the high school season. What are your plans to stay in baseball shape before you arrive at Iowa in the fall?
COONRADT: Like I stated earlier, there isn’t much of a break in between because I want to get down there early, but in the weeks up to that, I plan to continue lifting and getting into good habits that I can take into college.
Q: Looking back at your recruitment, what stood out about the Iowa Baseball program that made them an easy choice over other schools?
COONRADT: For me, something that really swayed me towards Iowa was that it is close to home meaning my family could come watch me play, which is huge for me. Also, from listening to what trusted sources told me their development stuck out to me the most and I have the understanding that I will become a better baseball player, but also a better person. Not only that, but the coaching stuff was extremely welcoming to me from the start.
Q: Were there any other teams that you heavily considered during your recruitment?
COONRADT: My recruitment only had JUCO schools wanting me to play which I ended up committing to Johnson County CC in Kansas with the intentions of going to Iowa after a few years, but that opportunity came earlier then I thought.
Q: What is your relationship like with the coaching staff? Who do you talk with the most?
COONRADT: I think my relationship with the coaching staff is really good. Each time I have went to watch a practice or catch up they were extremely welcoming and very easy to talk to. Coach Sutherland is the coach I talk with the most.
Q: If someone asked you, “what do you bring to the Iowa Baseball team?”, how would you describe your game?
COONRADT: What I will bring to Iowa is a high IQ player that knows the game. I am competitive as anyone, but my calling card would be my bat. I have a feel for the zone knowing strikes and balls unlike anyone else, while still having the ability to put the ball over the fence.
Q: You initially committed to play baseball at Johnson County CC. Talk through the process of how you got in contact with Iowa and how you ended up committing to the Hawkeyes?
COONRADT: Yeah, I committed to Johnson County at the beginning of my junior year, and during this time Coach Sutherland called and expressed their interest. We kept in contact through the rest of the year and I had a year that granted me an offer when it was over. I really liked Johnson County, but after talking with my family and praying I felt like the right decision was going to Iowa, as it is closer and it was somewhere I always wanted to play.
Q: What is your relationship like with the other incoming freshman? Current players?
COONRADT: I have a pretty good relationship with the incoming freshman, I played against a good amount of them through the years and also got to know them during our official visit. I also have gotten to know a few current players that I played against in high school and met on the official visit and coming to practices.
Q: What are your goals for your freshman season at Iowa? What areas of your game do you want to improve on?
COONRADT: My goals as a freshman are to be the best player and person I can be. I plan to not let anyone outwork me. Overall, I want to contribute to Iowa Baseball as much as I can. I plan to improve all aspects of my game, especially defensively. But in all, I want to get stronger and faster while becoming a better hitter as well.
