Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 35 | Arm: 45 | Field: 45 | Overall: 50

After having a total of four players drafted in its history, The Baylor School (Chattanooga) has four legitimate prospects this spring in Kinney, shortstop Daniel Corona, corner infielder Vytas Valincius and right-hander Jay Dill. The lone member of that group who could get selected high enough to sign, Kinney led the Red Raiders to state Division II-AA titles in each of his three full seasons and won Gatorade's Tennessee High School Player of the Year award in 2021. He's one of the most advanced prep hitters in this year's class and his offensive ability could land him in the top three rounds despite significant questions about his defensive home. 

Kinney combines a simple left-handed stroke with plenty of bat speed and a mature approach to repeatedly barrel balls. He already makes good use of the opposite field and his feel for hitting could help him develop average power as he adds strength and turns on more pitches. He doesn't try to do too much at the plate and has a track record of producing against quality competition. 

All of Kinney's value comes from his bat, however, because he's a well-below-average runner with fringy arm strength and limited athleticism. The best-case scenario is that he becomes an adequate second baseman and turns into Daniel Murphy, but it's possible he could wind up in left field or at first base. The South Carolina recruit doesn't have enough arm for third base and didn't look very promising when he tried catching. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 35 | Arm: 45 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45

Selected 34th overall in the 2021 Draft, Kinney’s career really only began last year. Sure, the former Tennessee high school Player of the Year signed quickly with the Rays for a full-slot bonus of $2,148,100 and jumped into action with the club's Rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate that summer. But his full-season debut was pushed back a full year, as he injured his shoulder diving back to the bag in Spring Training and wound up requiring surgery that cost him all of 2022. He finally got on the field last season, accruing 505 plate appearances over 121 games for Single-A Charleston.

Kinney is still young, having turned 21 in January, and his greatest strength is still the same as it was when he was drafted: He’s a pure hitter. He has a simple left-handed swing with good bat speed and a mature approach, the same traits that made him one of the most advanced high school hitters in his Draft class. Considering he’d barely played since high school and was coming off a major injury, the fact that he slashed .274/.341/.393 for Charleston is a testament to his hitting ability. It’s a hit-over-power offensive profile, as he tends to barrel balls to all fields, but he hit 10 homers last season and should grow into average power as he continues to mature. 

Kinney’s profile is still driven almost entirely by his bat, as he’s a below-average runner. Many have expected Kinney to eventually land at first base or in left field, but the Rays were encouraged by his physical transformation over the offseason, as he reported to an early camp in great shape with improved agility after dropping weight during the winter. His glove still lags behind his bat, but there’s a chance he could stick at second base or move around the left side if he develops enough arm for throws across the infield.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 35 | Arm: 45 | Field: 40 | Overall: 45

The 34th overall pick in the 2021 Draft, Kinney waited only eight days before signing for a full-slot bonus of $2,148,100. Tennessee’s high school player of the year was that eager to get his professional career started. However, he entered the season having only played 11 games in the Florida Complex League. Kinney injured his shoulder diving back to the bag in Spring Training and needed surgery, which forced him to sit out the entirety of what would have been his first full season.

Kinney enters 2023 in good health, throwing like everyone else during a January mini-camp, and he was far enough along in his rehab that he was able to DH in the Rays’ Dominican instructional league. (The club also viewed it as a great sign that Kinney, who just turned 20 in January, asked to participate.) His profile hasn’t changed since he was drafted: He was one of the most advanced prep bats in his Draft class, a pure hitter, but he comes with long-term defensive questions. He has a simple left-handed swing with advanced bat speed and a mature approach, which helps him be selective and barrel balls to all fields, and he should tap into above-average power as he continues to mature physically. 

Kinney is a below-average runner with an arm that limits him to second base or left field. He played second and third base in his pro debut, and while the Rays believe they can help turn him into an average defensive infielder, he might eventually wind up at first or in left. Wherever he plays, there’s still plenty to like about Kinney’s hit tool and offensive upside as an everyday player.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 35 | Arm: 45 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45

Picked 34th overall by the Rays in the 2021 MLB Draft, Kinney waited only eight days before signing for a full-slot bonus of $2,148,100. Tennessee’s high school player of the year was that eager to get his professional career started. Kinney entered Tampa Bay’s system with a reputation as one of the most advanced prep hitters in his Draft class, albeit one with long-term defensive questions, and his brief debut did little to dispel that notion. Kinney injured his shoulder diving back into the bag in the spring and needed surgery to repair, forcing him to miss what would have been his first full season.

Kinney went 10-for-35 with more walks (10) than strikeouts (nine) in his first 11 games in the Florida Complex League. He has a simple left-handed stroke with advanced bat speed and a mature approach, allowing him to barrel balls frequently. He should tap into above-average power as he matures and fills out his body, but his plus hit tool is his greatest asset. Kinney already uses the whole field, though he could turn on more pitches for pull power as he adds strength, and he hit against tougher competition at his age level throughout high school.

Kinney is the definition of a bat-first player, however. He’s a below-average runner with arm strength that will likely keep him at second base or left field, and his athleticism leaves him best suited for second or third base. He played both second and third in his pro debut, although it’s possible he’ll wind up in left field or at first base. The Rays will continue to work on his agility and mobility, hoping he can become a Daniel Murphy-type second baseman. If he takes even small strides defensively, he’ll be a very interesting prospect due to his pure hitting ability.

2021 Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 35 | Arm: 45 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45

After having a total of four players drafted in its history, The Baylor School (Chattanooga) had four legitimate prospects this spring in Kinney, shortstop Daniel Corona, corner infielder Vytas Valincius and right-hander Jay Dill. The lone member of that group to sign, Kinney led the Red Raiders to state Division II-AA titles in each of his three full seasons and won Gatorade's Tennessee high school player of the year award in 2021. He was one of the most advanced prep hitters in this year's class, and his offensive ability landed him at the 34th overall pick to the Rays, despite significant questions about his defensive home. He signed for full slot value at $2,148,100.

Kinney combines a simple left-handed stroke with plenty of bat speed and a mature approach to repeatedly barrel balls. He already makes good use of the opposite field, and his feel for hitting could help him develop average power as he adds strength and turns on more pitches. He doesn't try to do too much at the plate and has a track record of producing against quality competition.

All of Kinney's value comes from his bat, however, because he's a well-below-average runner with fringy arm strength and limited athleticism. The best-case scenario is that he becomes an adequate second baseman and turns into Daniel Murphy, but it's possible he could wind up in left field or at first base. The Rays have said they plan to work him out at both second and third as he starts his career.

Awards

SAL Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2024

CAR Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2023

CAR Player of the Week

Week	Team
06/04/2023

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/19/2024	Bowling Green Hot Rods activated 2B Cooper Kinney from the 7-day injured list.
	09/06/2024	Bowling Green Hot Rods placed 2B Cooper Kinney on the 7-day injured list.
	08/28/2024	Bowling Green Hot Rods activated 2B Cooper Kinney from the 7-day injured list.
	08/07/2024	Bowling Green Hot Rods placed 2B Cooper Kinney on the 7-day injured list.
	04/02/2024	2B Cooper Kinney assigned to Bowling Green Hot Rods.
	04/02/2024	Bowling Green Hot Rods activated 2B Cooper Kinney.
	03/18/2024	2B Cooper Kinney assigned to Tampa Bay Rays.
	03/07/2024	Tampa Bay Rays Prospects activated 2B Cooper Kinney.
	03/27/2023	2B Cooper Kinney roster status changed by Tampa Bay Rays.
	03/27/2023	2B Cooper Kinney assigned to Tampa Bay Rays.
	11/08/2022	Charleston RiverDogs activated 2B Cooper Kinney from the 60-day injured list.
	04/07/2022	2B Cooper Kinney assigned to Charleston RiverDogs from FCL Rays.
	08/25/2021	2B Cooper Kinney assigned to FCL Rays.
	07/19/2021	Tampa Bay Rays signed 2B Cooper Kinney.
	06/09/2021	2B Cooper Kinney and assigned to College Workout.
	06/17/2020	2B Cooper Kinney assigned to PG National 8 - Orange.