2012 Top Prospects #22: David Cooper

Name: David Cooper
Position: First Base
Acquired: 1st round (2008)
Opening Day age: 25
Height/weight: 6’0”/200 lbs
Best/worst tool: Bat/fielding
Risk factor: Low
ETA: 2012

Scouting Report

As a first base prospect, expectations are high and rightfully so. This is especially the case with Cooper, as there is a less than zero percent chance he will ever be able to play another defensive position. At first base, his fielding is already below average, and he does not have the arm to even consider left field. Athleticism is another issue with Cooper. It is often joked that baseball players aren’t real athletes, and that is the case with Cooper. He looks like a baseball player, not an athlete. His speed is below average, and has “future base clogger” written all over him. Regardless, first base prospects aren’t judged on their speed and defense, they’re judged on their offensive capabilities. Coop’s best tool is his bat, which is above average and occasionally shows fringe-plus potential. His bat skills are driven more by an advanced approach and an ability to read pitches quickly rather than pure bat speed, which could hurt him in the majors when facing good fastballs. His power is average, and as a non-athletic, 25 year old former college player, it has likely already reached its ceiling. Give his bat/power combination to an average defensive third baseman and you have a top prospect, but as a poor defensive first baseman, the future isn’t as bright.

2011 Statistics and Analysis

(AAA) 467 AB, .364/.439/.535 (.974 OPS), 51 2B, 1 3B, 9 HR, 96 RBI, 1 SB, 67/43 BB/K

(MLB) 71 AB, .211/.284/.394 (.678 OPS), 7 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 0 SB, 7/14 BB/K

Cooper made his major league debut in early 2011, but it wasn’t until his later September callup that he actually played like the former 1st round pick that he is. Despite getting only 38 at-bats, Coop’s September line of .289/325/.526 (.851) was impressive, and he looked like a different player than the one who struggled dramatically in April and May. In the minors, he was one of the leaders in batting average, but his season was once again a tale of two halves. The hitting ability was there all year (his lowest batting average in any month was .336), but the power completely disappeared late in the season. In the first half (68 games), Cooper pounded 35 doubles and 8 home runs for a 217 ISO. In the second half (52 games), Coop managed only 16 doubles and 1 home run for a 107 ISO. He never spent any time on the disabled list, but it’s possible he was hiding an injury.

Expected 2012 Assignment: Triple-A Las Vegas

Future Outlook

Given that Cooper was one of the first callups early in the season, Toronto obviously feels Cooper has little else to prove in the minor leagues. The problem for Coop is positional availability, as Adam Lind and Edwin Encarnacion will be filling the first base and designated hitter roles for the big league club next season. With absolutely no defensive flexibility, a bench role is not in the cards for Cooper. Regardless of how well he does or does not perform in the spring, Cooper is likely ticketed for Triple-A to once again await an injury.

Perfect World Projection: 2nd division starter at 1B