Cooper Flemming to sign with Tampa Bay Rays after second-round MLB draft selection

Cooper Flemming (top row with Tampa Bay camp) celebrates this week with his family and friends. (Photo courtesy Patrick McClory).

Lying in his bed on Sunday night, Major League Baseball draft pick Cooper Flemming experienced a feeling he’d been mostly devoid of for weeks: tranquility. 

Earlier in the day, the former Aliso Niguel infielder came to an agreement with the Tampa Bay Rays to make him the 53rd pick in the 2025 MLB draft. He will take a flight to Tampa Bay next week to sign his Major League contract with the Rays in a deal set to surpass the $1,803,500 slot value provided by MLB. 

All the workouts, interviews and buildup culminated with a single phone call and a flash of his name across the broadcast on MLB Network. He’d finally reached the finish line of the draft process – and with it came a sense of relief. 

“I felt very calm that night,” Flemming said in an interview this week. “It was the first time in a while that there hadn’t been something else [after]. I had the high school season, then draft workouts, the combine, and then I had to wait three weeks, and then the draft. So once it happened, it was very relaxing, and I could just smile and be happy that it all worked out.” 

The Aliso Niguel product knew he was bound to be drafted on Day 1, but he wasn’t sure how long he’d have to wait to be selected. 

For most of the day, it seemed like he’d be selected by another team, who called with a substantial offer to take Flemming in the third round. However, the Rays came calling over 40 picks earlier and presented him with a contract he couldn’t pass up.

“I knew we were taking it, and it wasn’t [a feeling of] shock but [a realization] it’s actually happening … It was surreal,” Flemming said. 

Teams can distribute their bonus pool, otherwise known as their total allotted spending for the draft, in any way they may choose. The slot values MLB provides act as a guide for how much each pick is worth. Still, teams often offer a few players a contract “overslot,” which exceeds the provided slot value. 

Fortunately for Flemming, who had the option of going to college at Vanderbilt, he happened to be among the lucky ones to be bestowed this opportunity. 

He primarily credits his agent, Tucker Ward of the Beverly Hills Sports Council, for helping him reach a deal with the Rays. In spite of some doubts that Tampa Bay may not raise its offer, the Rays ultimately landed on a number that soared past offers from other teams.

“The Rays called and beat that number,” Flemming said on his decision to pursue a major league contract with Tampa Bay. “And they’re the Rays. They’re known for developing players, so it was a no-brainer and the dollar figure matched up.” 

As expected, he will forgo spending any time in college and begin his professional career at just 18 years old. A long trip across the country awaits Flemming, who is set to report to Port Charlotte, Fla., and play for the FCL Rays.

Despite moving away from family, he said he feels comfortable joining an organization that he believes cultivates a family-like environment. 

“They have a reputation of treating people really well, which was appealing,”  Flemming said. “Especially as a high school kid, I’m going to be away from home for the first time in my life, so knowing that I’m going to be around good people and people who care about each other is really cool … It’s literally as far away as home as possible, but I don’t think there could be a better group to help me through this first part where I’m adjusting.”

Yet, in an odd way, the cross-country move is also somewhat of a homecoming for Flemming. He grew up in the Atlanta area and moved to Southern California when he was just 8 years old. 

With ties to the region, he’s eager to head back to the Southeast; it’s where he learned to love the game of baseball, attending Atlanta Braves games and playing in youth leagues. 

Although he hasn’t spent an extensive amount of time in Florida, he got a taste of the Sunshine State playing with his travel team, BPA. 

“We’ve been going to Florida for tournaments too, so it’s cool,” Flemming said. “The environment they have there with the Rays through all the levels is special, so I’m excited.”

Nonetheless, he reiterated that he won’t forget to keep in touch with those close to him back at home. He’s especially close to his parents, who he credits for helping him become the player and person he is today. 

“There are no more supportive parents in the world than them,” Flemming said. “They’ve helped me through everything and taken care of me my whole life, so I can’t thank them enough for being where I’m at.”

But perhaps no family member was more excited for Flemming on draft day than his grandfather, Frederick. 

The 93-year-old former minor league baseball player was able to FaceTime his grandson after the pick was announced and shared a special moment of celebration in a phone call that neither of them will forget. 

“Besides my dad, I don’t think there’s someone who’s cared about how I’m doing [in games] more than him,” Flemming said. “I sent him pretty much all my hits during the season, and he calls me, and he’s a grandpa, so he’s always positive. I’ll have a bad game, and he’ll get me thinking like I’m the best hitter in the world again. Seeing his reaction was really cool for our whole family.”