Behind the Biscuits: Cooper Kinney
Cooper Kinney grew up the son of a high school baseball coach, so in some ways it feels that he was always destined to play ball.
“I was around the field all the time, and so as soon as I was born I was at the field being around the players. I was always around older players which I think was a good start for me just being around good players and just trying to step up to the level of where those guys are at,” says Kinney.
And after years of watching his dad coach the high school players, it was finally his turn. Throughout his high school career, Kinney was able to win three state championships at the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee alongside his father.
“We shared the love because you know he would be at the field and I would get to enjoy that with him, so I think that’s what got me started and that’s kind of why I enjoy it so much. We shared that love growing up and that was something cool that we got to do together,” explains Kinney.
Following high school most players transition to the college ranks for sometime, and initially that was the plan for Kinney who had a scholarship to play baseball at the University of South Carolina. However, life had other plans for Kinney who was selected by the Rays in 2021 as the 34th overall pick in the MLB draft.
“You know I just kept playing and stacking on days and ended up senior year I had a really good year and got a really good opportunity to play and go into pro ball. That was the ultimate dream. I thought that college would be the first step, but I got a really cool opportunity so I couldn’t miss out on that,” says Kinney.
Kinney is number 23 on the Rays prospect list and his estimated call up date to the majors is projected to be in 2026.
