| Player: Cooper Flemming | |||||||||||
| Org: Tampa Bay Rays | Highest Level: Single A | Position(s): INF | |||||||||
| Height: 6’3″ | Weight: 190 lbs. | Bats: Left | Throws: Right | ||||||||
| Summary: Flemming built real helium down the stretch of his senior spring in California, capping a standout summer that included taking home tournament MVP honors at a major national showcase, with a second-round selection and a signing an over-slot bonus that kept him from following through on a Vanderbilt commitment. A tall, still-filling-out frame at the time of the draft, he’s already added real size as a pro, which only adds to an offensive profile scouts have consistently liked. At the plate, Flemming is a left-handed hitter whose swing looks the part — quick hands, a simple load, and the ability to adjust his hand position to handle pitches in tight, using the whole field rather than pulling everything. He’s shown a real knack for contact early in his pro career, and while the present raw power grades as average at best, there’s real belief it climbs as he adds more lift to the swing alongside his continued physical growth. The swing does have a real limiter: limited flexibility through the lower half shows up against quality offspeed stuff, and getting out in front of breaking balls, particularly from same-side pitching, is a live concern evaluators have flagged. Defensively, where he ultimately lands remains a genuinely open question. He’s shown capable actions and hands at shortstop, has shown the most polish so far at second base, and carries a frame and arm that could fit at third if his growth continues — all three spots are realistic outcomes, and the eventual defensive home will likely be decided as much by his physical development as by any refinement in the actions themselves. The arm grades as a real asset regardless of which infield spot he settles into, even if a delivery that takes a beat longer than ideal keeps it from playing to its full carrying-tool potential in the meantime. The overall picture is a physical, well-regarded prep bat with a track record of performing at every level so far, real makeup, and a multi-position defensive fit still sorting itself out — the power projection and the ultimate glove destination are the two threads that will determine whether this becomes an everyday player or a more limited, versatile piece. | |||||||||||
Shaun Kernahan is the founder and lead writer of Three Quarter Slot, where he blends scouting precision with a storyteller’s eye for the human side of the game. Based in Parker, Colorado, he has covered baseball prospects at every level since 2013, delivering in-depth evaluations, draft analysis, and developmental insight. Over the years, he has built Three Quarter Slot into a trusted home for thoughtful prospect coverage, detailed scouting reports, and a grounded look at how talent evolves
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