Merced County baseball star will get rare opportunity as two-way player in college
Buhach Colony High senior Cooper Lanz will get a rare opportunity at the collegiate level to play as two-way player after officially signing his national letter of intent recently with the University of the Pacific.
Most players are either signed as a pitcher or a position player. It’s rare college coaches give players the option to do both, but Lanz will get that chance in college.
“It was definitely a selling point with me,” Lanz said. “I like being on the mound, but I like being in the field and hitting too. I think it was important for me to get chance to do both aspects of the game.”
Lanz has excelled as a two-way player for the Thunder this season. The senior his hitting .489 and leading BC with 13 doubles 30 runs and 26 RBIs.
Lanz is also 6-3 on the mound with a 1.71 ERA.
“It’s definitely a cool opportunity,” said Buhach Colony coach Joe Medeiros. “We’ve had a lot of players move on to the next level and he’s right up there on that list of guys. It’s great that (Pacific) is giving him a chance to pitch and hit.”
Buhach Colony’s list of players to move on to four-year schools includes two Major League pitchers in Daulton Jefferies (Oakland) and Dylon Floro (Miami).
Lanz says University of the Pacific emerged as his top choice because it was just a great fit for him.
“I love the academic side along with the baseball program,” Lanz said. “On my visit of the campus I could see it’s a beautiful campus and how nice the baseball field is.”
Lanz, who compiled a 4.4 GPA at Buhach Colony, plans to major in business sports management, focusing on sports analytics.
“He’s a lead-by-example type of guy,” Medeiros said. “He doesn’t say much but he has a lot of passion. He’s probably one of the most competitive guys we have on the team. He does everything right, he’s consistent and he works hard.”
Lanz says the opportunity to play baseball is a dream come true.
“It’s been my dream since Little League to play college baseball,” Lanz said. “To get an opportunity to play at the next level and celebrate all the hard work means a lot. I’m very excited because I’m going to my dream school. I’m very excited for my next experience in life.”
Lanz says it was fitting to hold his signing ceremony at the Buhach Colony baseball diamond. He was joined on the field by coaches and family on Monday and his Thunder teammates were able to watch.
“They said I could have had the ceremony anywhere but the baseball field is home,” Lanz said. “I played all four years of high school ball on that field. That field has a special place in my heart to signing on the field and making it official seemed right.”
