| Player: Ryan Cooney | |||||||||||
| Org: Toronto Blue Jays | Highest Level: Single A | Position(s): MIF | |||||||||
| Height: 6′ | Weight: 195 lbs. | Bats: Right | Throws: Right | ||||||||
| Summary: Cooney has built his profile around one of the more advanced hit tools in this year’s class, a right-handed hitter whose simple, two-handed stroke stays through the ball well enough to drive it into every part of the field. He handles velocity about as well as anyone in this class and doesn’t miss much in general, with real feel for two-strike hitting and some of the best hand-eye coordination in his class backing up an approach that draws a real number of walks to go with the low swing-and-miss. Power remains the clear question mark. This is a hit-over-power profile through and through, with modest raw pop that hasn’t fully translated with wood bats, though there are real positive signs — a swing adjustment this spring has helped him get the ball in the air more consistently, and the power numbers have climbed alongside it. It’s not likely to ever be a standout tool, but double-digit home run upside is realistic if the recent gains hold. Defensively, he’s currently blocked at shortstop by a teammate and has spent most of his time at second base, where he’s shown himself to be a reliable, sure-handed defender with a strong enough arm to profile anywhere on the infield. Second base is the more probable long-term home given the reps and track record there, but real evaluator belief remains that he could handle shortstop if given the opportunity, so that upside stays in play rather than closed off. Speed grades as average — he’s a productive, heads-up baserunner even if the raw tool isn’t a separate standout weapon. Injuries have factored into the track record at points, though he’s put together good stretches every time he’s actually been on the field. The overall bet here is a polished, high-floor middle infielder whose bat-to-ball skills alone give him a path to a big league role, with power development and the shortstop question as the two threads that determine whether this becomes an everyday player or a valuable, versatile complementary 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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