Cooper Mapes

I have no allegiance to this player or family in any way, I’m just telling everyone what my eyes saw and what my opinion is. Cooper Mapes He showed up at our JUCO Main Event 2 weekends ago. Here are his metrics so that the vast majority of you will write him off and scroll to the next tweet. Right handed hitter Right handed thrower Two way player, 1B/OF/UTL 7.03 60 yd Exit velo 91 mph 78-84 mph off mound 6’3 185 lbs Now this next part is for the baseball dudes. This kid had the best personality of any player at the event, over 100 players. Cooper was a joy to watch. He was engaged. He asked questions to the former JUCO players in attendance, he asked questions to coaches and staff about their programs. He talked to his peers a ton, especially when competing. He talked guys up and encouraged them, but wasn’t rah-rah in any way, it was always about the game. He didn’t goof off or alter his focus all weekend, but still had that gritty smile on his face at all moments. He knew every count and every situation that unfolded, he flowed through each activity with purpose because he listened to all the instructions he received and he clearly read every email that was sent out regarding daily agenda. He also has the hidden physicality about him, something so many coaches and recruiters miss, something I can tell you with confidence I rarely miss. His shoulders have the right mix of slope and definition, his frame shows much promise. He has some raw strength and fluidity to how he moves around, actually I think this kid could really play anywhere on the field. In terms of ability, he has it, and it will explode and be extremely evident when he learns how to properly use the weight room and eat right. He will in the near term be able to overpower people, and he’ll do so with a HUGE smile on his face. He moved to Florida not long ago from North Dakota, and he’s got that northern cold weather spirit that I know so well because I came from it too. This kid will do whatever he is asked and whatever he is tasked with… he’ll be as good as his next leader is. If you stink, he probably will not reach his ceiling. But if you’re great, he’s going to be great too, no doubt about it. I wish he had moved next door to me in Ft Myers because I would take kids like this all day long and have in the past. But here’s the thing, you don’t want 20 guys like this… you want 19 that are better and 1 like this, and he’ll run all of them down and surpass them. If he starts out as your best, your team probably isn’t all that good. For reference, I would have done whatever I could have to get this kid to walk on to either of my last two teams (2021-2022), which were littered with pros, 16 between the two teams. No doubt in my mind he makes space for himself somewhere with those groups. I would have made him earn his scholarship. ‘Make the team Cooper and I’ll give you a scholarship…’ Not because I would want to hedge my bet, but because this is the kind of kid that needs that for his own progression. Cooper will thrive with proper short term goal setting and steady leadership. I was fortunate to lead two JUCO programs to national prominence, it happened not because of genius coaching ability (I do not possess that), it happened because of players just like Cooper Mapes. I’m going to try to get him to come and play for my postgrad program for Fall of 2025, but if you’re still reading this and you’re looking for a 2025, I’d find this kid and try to get him to be a part of your program, but only if you know you can give him what he needs to reach his potential.