Drafted in the 3rd round (82nd overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2002 (signed for $472,500).
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Cooper, the highest-drafted player in 1999 who did not sign, was part of a once-in-a-lifetime trio drafted out of Moses Lake (Wash.) High. While high school teammates B.J. Garbe (Twins, first round) and Ryan Doumit (Pirates, second round) signed, Cooper went to Stanford and turned in a .247 average in his first two seasons. He has battled nagging injuries throughout. A shoulder injury 18 months ago has taken everything out of his arm and forced him to DH this spring, causing National League clubs to steer away from him. Cooper's best tool is his raw power. He has the best power potential in college and hits balls farther than former Stanford teammate and first-round pick Joe Borchard. Once considered a first-round pick himself, Cooper now projects as a late second-rounder. The Yankees, whose first pick is 71st overall, may be lying in wait for him. His powerful lefthanded swing would go over big in Yankee Stadium.
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Cooper was part of one of the most heralded prep lineups in recent memory, as Moses Lake (Wash.) High produced three picks in the first two rounds of the 1999 draft. Outfielder B.J. Garbe went fifth overall to the Twins and hasn't lived up to his billing, while catcher Ryan Doumit went to the Pirates in the second round and reached the majors in 2005. Cooper, who went four picks after Doumit to the Phillies, opted to attend Stanford but never got untracked in college as he was plagued by injuries. He's coming off his best professional season, setting career highs with 25 homers and a system-best 100 RBIs. He worked out in the offseason with Paul Konerko, who showed him a better way to load his hands into his swing. Cooper still struggles to make contract and may never hit for much of an average, but the Indians hope to utilize his power in some role. He needs to implement a more patient approach and do a better job of picking out pitches he can drive. Though he's a good athlete who was a backup punter on Stanford's football team, Cooper is a below-average left fielder. He hasn't thrown well since hurting his shoulder in college, and his route-running is suspect. With the depth of outfielders in the system, Cooper faces a make-or-break 2006.
Cooper never got fully untracked during his injury-plagued career at Stanford, but he looked like he was headed in the right direction after hitting 21 homers and leading the system with a .542 slugging percentage in 2003, his first full season. That may have been just a tease, however as his production fell off when he moved to the upper levels of the system last year. The former Stanford backup punter struggled to make consistent contact, a problem that also plagued him in college. He has a slight uppercut stroke that produces good carry when he connects, but he doesn't make adjustments well. Cooper does use the whole field and has above-average pull power to the left side. He's one of the most intense players in the organization, which worked against him in Double-A because he started pressing too much. He has average speed and fits best in left field because he has had below-average arm strength since hurting his shoulder at Stanford. Cooper needs to relax more and better adapt to Double-A when he returns there this season.
Cooper was part of a vaunted 1999 senior class at Moses Lake (Wash.) High, along with outfielder B.J. Garbe (first round, Twins) and catcher Ryan Doumit (second, Pirates). Cooper turned down the Phillies as a second- rounder to attend Stanford, where he was also a backup punter. He led Tribe farmhands with a .542 slugging percentage in his first full season. Cooper could move fast. He has big league power and is a more complete hitter than he was at Stanford, where injuries and an uppercut swing held him back. He's gaining a better understanding of the strike zone and using the whole field, and now projects as a .280 hitter with 30 homers annually. He has average speed and plays with tremendous intensity. At times, Cooper can get pull-conscious and his stroke can get long. He hurt his shoulder in college and his arm strength hasn't come back, limiting him to left field. He has improved as an outfielder but can get better. The Indians have several lefthanded-hitting outfielders in the majors, so they won't rush Cooper. He'll head to Double- A in 2004.
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