Dodgers go with Texas RHP Cooper to wrap Day 1 of 2017 Draft
The Dodgers wrapped up Day 1 of the 2017 MLB Draft on Monday by selecting University of Texas right-hander Morgan Cooper — a pitcher trending up since 2014 Tommy John surgery — in the second round with the 62nd overall pick.
The redshirt junior had a 2.32 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, averaged 11.1 K/9 and limited batters to a .204 average in 2017.
Dodgers director of amateur scouting Billy Gasparino said the Dodgers considered drafting Cooper in 2016, but signability was an issue.
“He’s what you would expect out of a Texas right-handed pitcher — big, strong, 6–5, 220 pounds, really competitive,” Gasparino said. “We like his mean streak on the mound, the mid-90s fastball, two breaking balls right now that we feel are potential plus pitches. We like the physical package a lot with Morgan, and he seemed like he was really trending up and coming into his own.”
Gasparino said the Dodgers see Cooper, who’s from the small Texas town of Jarrell where his father raises bulls, as a starting pitcher.
MLB.com’s scouting report on Cooper said:
Cooper pitched through pain in his final two years at Jarrell (Texas) High and as a freshman at Texas before his elbow gave out, leading to Tommy John surgery in the fall of 2014. He returned as a redshirt sophomore in 2016, capping his comeback with his first college complete game in the Big 12 Conference tournament before turning down the Nationals as a 34th-round pick. His stuff has bounced back further this spring when he has been the Longhorns’ most effective starter.
At his best, Cooper can deal at 92–94 mph and reach 96 with his fastball. He uses his size and an overhand delivery to generate steep downhill plane, helping his heater induce swings and misses as well as groundballs. He still has to prove he can maintain his velocity over a full schedule because it has dipped in the second half of the last two college seasons.
While Cooper’s secondary pitches all can grade above-average at times, his changeup is more consistent than his curveball and cutter. He has a sound delivery and arm action, though his control hasn’t been as sharp this year as it has been in the past.
Earlier, the Dodger selected Vanderbilt University center fielder and junior Jeren Kendall with the 23rd overall pick in the first round. Kendall batted .307/.372/.556 with a team-high 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases this season. He also struck out 74 times in 62 games.
Gasparino said with any player there is a development piece, and sometimes more than one, on a player who gets drafted. The strikeouts is Kendall’s piece. However, when he makes contact, big things happen.
“I think when he puts the ball in the play there’s a premium speed-power result that happens — whether it’s home runs or doubles or his ability to steal bases,” Gasparino said. “(The goal is to) raise that contact rate up to put more balls in play. We feel confident there could be a very productive Major Leaguer.”
