masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgEarlier today I wrote about Frederick Keys reliever Brandon Cooney.

The hard-throwing right-hander is Frederick’s closer and off to a great start. He is 2-0, 0.60 and tied for the Carolina League lead with five saves.

Cooney, a 30th-round pick in 2007 out of Florida Atlantic, has pitched 15 innings for the Keys and has allowed 12 hits and just one earned run on the season, with seven walks to 18 strikeouts.

Cooney seems like someone eager to learn and says he has gotten solid instruction…Earlier today I wrote about Frederick Keys reliever Brandon Cooney.

The hard-throwing right-hander is Frederick’s closer and off to a great start. He is 2-0, 0.60 and tied for the Carolina League lead with five saves.

Cooney, a 30th-round pick in 2007 out of Florida Atlantic, has pitched 15 innings for the Keys and has allowed 12 hits and just one earned run on the season, with seven walks to 18 strikeouts.

Cooney seems like someone eager to learn and says he has gotten solid instruction from the pitching coaches he has worked with in the O’s system.

“I haven’t met a pitching that hasn’t helped me. When I first signed, Troy Mattes was at Bluefield. He helped me, he’s really tall and he understands bigger guy mechanics. He helped me smooth some things out.

“My following year, I was with Scotty McGregor. He really helped me with the mental part of the game. In Bluefield I was a starter and Scotty really helped me adjust to the mental aspect of relief where you need to go at ’em and don’t pace yourself.

“I’ve been with Blaine (Beatty) the last two years. He’s kind of a mix of both. He gives you a lot of the mental aspect like setting up hitters. He’s also emphasized my changeup. I was with Keenie Steenstra for a few weeks last year. I didn’t get to know him that well, but he was very organized and all these guys have helped me a lot.”