Cal 1B David Cooper was taken in the 1st round of today's MLB draft -- 17th overall to the Toronto Blue Jays. ESPN's Keith Law had this instant evaluation:
Cooper is a polished hitter who should hit for a high average. He's shown home run power with metal but not so much with wood. He's a solid defensive player at first base. I think the draft pool forced a change in direction. The Jays have gone with high school bats in the first round the last two years, but the type of polished high school hitter they like wasn't there for them at No. 17.
A quick look at first base on the Jays major league depth chart
1. Lyle Overbay (who's making almost $7 million annually, btw. what? really?)
2. Matt Stairs
3. Brad Wilkerson (the starting right fielder)
I'm not at all familiar with the Jay's minor league system, but I don't see any signifcant roadblocks to Cooper's path to the Show currently on the major league roster.
Yes, Cooper has a year of eligibility left, and it's true that baseball players can be drafted and still return for their senior season. Still, when you get taken in the first round as a college junior, you're pretty much gone. Best of luck to David!