Drafted in the 9th round (270th overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2010 (signed for $125,000).
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Cooper was as hot as any college pitcher in May. He struck out 14 in a complete-game shutout of Missouri State and set a Wichita State record with a 32 1/3-inning scoreless streak. He ranked as the top high school prospect in Kansas two years ago, and though he has grown an inch and added 25 pounds since then, the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder still stands out more for his polish and feel than for his overpowering stuff. He gets outs with an 89-91 mph sinker, tight slider and good changeup. He's athletic, repeats his delivery easily and fills the strike zone. Cooper could have been a fourth- or fifth-round pick out of high school had he been signable in that range, and should go a round or two higher this year as a draft-eligible sophomore.
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