2025 MLB Draft: Rays select high school SS Cooper Flemming No. 53 overall in second round

$1.8 million slot value.

The Tampa Bay Rays have selected high school SS Cooper Flemming No. 53 overall with their assigned second round pick. This pick is a bit of a stretch, hinting that the team may need to allocate spend to their previous pick at No. 42 overall.

Flemming is committed to Vanderbilt and was rated just outside the top-100 at Baseball America, but betting on athletic up the middle kids is never a bad idea.

MLB Pipeline:

Aliso Niguel High School in California has produced one big leaguer, catcher Blake Sabol, who went on to Southern Cal for college before starting his pro career, and hasn’t had a player drafted since 2019. Flemming, who came to the school from Ganesha High in time for his senior year, has the chance to break that dry spell as he’s been rushing up Draft boards with a strong spring.Tall and thin, Flemming is a 6-foot-3 projectable shortstop with a chance to hit from the left side of the plate. He employs a simple setup at the dish with good mechanics and a solid approach and could be an above-average hitter at the next level.

There’s raw power in there for him to tap into as he learns to add some loft, with some thinking it could be average pop in the future if he can add strength to his lean frame. Flemming has plenty of arm to stick at shortstop, having shown the ability to fire fastballs in the low 90s off the mound.

An average runner who might be a tick better when underway, Flemming has good hands and instincts, though not everyone is convinced he can stick at short long term. A move to third might put more pressure on his bat, but the first obstacle might be his commitment to Vanderbilt when considering him on Day 2 of the Draft.

Baseball America:

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Flemming is a projectable lefthanded-hitting shortstop with a lean, 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame and a well-rounded tool set. While Flemming might not have a clear plus tool now, he’s a gamer and consistent performer who makes an impact on both sides of the ball. He has a simple, repeatable swing with a solid approach and contact skills, and an ability to drive the ball into both gaps. He has a chance to be an average or better pure hitter, and will flash some occasional pullside power now. His frame suggests more power that could come in the future, and he could easily grow into above-average raw power, but for now he’s more of a doubles-oriented line-drive hitter than a slugger.

Flemming is more of a fringe-average runner who has played all over the diamond defensively, including shortstop, third base and outfield. He is a reliable defender with solid hands and above-average arm strength, but a longer exchange that might make third base his best fit as he continues to fill out physically. Flemming has gotten on the mound and thrown a fastball up to 92 mph. He played in the Appalachian League after his spring season before the draft with good results early on. Flemming is committed to Vanderbilt but fits inside the first five rounds of the draft.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run:45 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55.