Former Tokay High standout David Cooper, who just completed his junior season at Cal, was taken by the Toronto Blue Jays in Thursday's Major League Baseball Draft. Cooper, who was selected with the 17th pick in the first round, is expected to receive a signing bonus of $1.5 million or more. (Photograph courtesy of Michael Pimental)

David Cooper goes high in MLB draft

Blue Jays nab him with 17th pick in first round; big signing bonus awaits

From the time he could lace up his cleats, David Cooper says he dreamed of playing in the big leagues. Thanks to natural talent, a sweet swing and an unmatched work ethic, his dream is closer to reality.

Surrounded by family and friends who gathered at his Morada home on Thursday afternoon to watch ESPN2's live coverage of the Major League Baseball Draft, Cooper looked on as MLB Commissioner Bud Selig stepped to the podium and announced that the former Tokay High graduate had been selected by the Toronto Blue Jays with the 17th pick in the first round.

"This is one of the best, if not the best, day of my life," an excited Cooper told the News-Sentinel in a phone call shortly after being drafted. "This is a dream come true. It's just the most amazing feeling I've ever felt.

"Since my T-ball days when I was about 6 it's been a dream of mine. I've worked so hard the last 15 or 16 years to get here. It's really special."

Former Tokay baseball coach Paul Lovotti, who coached Cooper for four years, went to the Morada gathering on Thursday and congratulated his former player.

Lovotti said it's a proud day for Tokay High and the community.

"I'm real proud of him," Lovotti said. "There was a buzz going around school. The teachers he had were all excited. Everyone is really proud of him."

Cooper, a 6-1, 210-pound left-handed first baseman who batted .359 and hit 19 home runs in his junior season at the University of California, Berkeley, says he was contacted via phone by the Blue Jays' local scout shortly after being selected. The two sides have already agreed in principle on several contractual issues, but Cooper says nothing will be finalized until officials from the Blue Jays visit his home on Saturday.

As for a signing bonus, Cooper declined to comment on the amount he may receive. However, last year's 17th pick, Blake Beavan, a pitcher coming out of high school, was given a $1.5 million signing bonus by the Texas Rangers.

Current Tokay coach Aaron Misasi, who was an assistant during Cooper's playing days, says Cooper deserves every cent he gets.

"Baseball aside, he's a great kid. He comes from a good family, he has a good personality and he's well-mannered," said Misasi, who also noted that Cooper may be the best hitter he's seen in his 25 or so years in baseball.

"He was a like a man among boys at every level he played. Whether it was the Little League fields in Morada, Tokay High or college, he dominated." Lovotti agreed that Cooper was among the best hitters he coached during his nearly 30 years at Tokay.

He said that Cooper, who holds the school's single-season record for batting average (.529 as a sophomore and senior), would stay in the batting cage for hours if you let him.

"He was always been a great hitter," Lovotti said. "He didn't always love defense, but he always wanted to stay after practice and take more cuts. He worked harder than anyone."

It's that work ethic that had most scouts believing Cooper could be up in the majors in short time.

While Cooper hopes to be in the big leagues as quickly as possible, he said he had no timetable for reaching the majors.

"That will all depend on me and how I progress," said Cooper, who expects to be assigned to short-league Class A ball in the New York Penn League.

"I have to show them I'm ready and my play will dictate that."

Cooper said he's ecstatic to be going to the Blue Jays, calling the club a first-rate organization. But he also admitted that he was just happy to have his name called.

"I'm going to go out with my family and close friends and celebrate tonight," Cooper said.