Prospect Perspective: Matt Cooper, from Pitcher to Parent

[NorthSideSox72]

Matt Cooper's prospect star was on the rise in 2016 and 2017, making the FS Top 30 at one point. Then he left the team in June of last year, but remained on the team's official roster. Matt tells us where what happened, and the decision he's made as a result.

 

[balfanman]

I really like the fact that these guys are giving us glimpses of their lives by writing articles for us. That being said there is something not answered here that I’m not understanding: why can’t he be both a good father and persue his baseball career?

 

It sounds like he had to make a choice. I realize that minor leaguers don’t make a ton of money, unless you’re a high round draft pick, and the life can be strenuous, but didn’t this guy have a real shot at the majors. At that point he would of provided for his family much better than most other occupations. Lots of others major league players started a family prior to reaching the big league, some before their minor league career. Maybe I missed something.

 

[NorthSideSox72]

I really like the fact that these guys are giving us glimpses of their lives by writing articles for us. That being said there is something not answered here that I’m not understanding: why can’t he be both a good father and persue his baseball career?

 

It sounds like he had to make a choice. I realize that minor leaguers don’t make a ton of money, unless you’re a high round draft pick, and the life can be strenuous, but didn’t this guy have a real shot at the majors. At that point he would of provided for his family much better than most other occupations. Lots of others major league players started a family prior to reaching the big league, some before their minor league career. Maybe I missed something.

You aren't missing anything. He did have a real shot at the majors. The life is hard with being a parent, but yes some players make it work. Apparently Matt and his wife felt otherwise.

 

I personally have a hard time with that decision, because he was pretty close to making it. Take a shot! But the truth is, I don't know his exact situation, and maybe there are things that make it impossible.

 

[balfanman]

You aren't missing anything. He did have a real shot at the majors. The life is hard with being a parent, but yes some players make it work. Apparently Matt and his wife felt otherwise.

 

I personally have a hard time with that decision, because he was pretty close to making it. Take a shot! But the truth is, I don't know his exact situation, and maybe there are things that make it impossible.

 

Yes, I’m a very conservative guy by nature, but being that close I believe that even I would of taken a shot. But it’s a free country and it’s his choice, more power to him.

 

Thank you for all the work you guys do, I appreciate it!

[BamaDoc]

I applaud him for putting his family responsibilities first. Selfishly, I wish he could have been both a good father and played baseball cause he might have helped my favorite team. I will never criticize him for making the right choice.

[roto]

It's clearly none of my business and we don't have any of the details but given what we know I can't imagine any of us making this choice when so close to the majors and with some pretty good stats the past 2 years. Even Roster Resource had him as a possible rotation guy in AAA this year. Maybe the Sox told him he'll never make it out of AAA or he saw the competition and decided he couldn't compete-who knows except him and his family. I know I would have continued at least until Jr. was 2 or 3 and more interactive.

Good Luck Matt and don't look back.

[ChiSox59]

Isn’t Cooper the guy that took an unexplained leave of absence for a month or two in the middle of the season last year?

Edited January 26, 2018 by ChiSox59

[NorthSideSox72]

Isn’t Cooper the guy that took an unexplained leave of absence for a month or two in the middle of the season last year?

He left the team in June and did not return.

 

[caulfield12]

I really like the fact that these guys are giving us glimpses of their lives by writing articles for us. That being said there is something not answered here that I’m not understanding: why can’t he be both a good father and persue his baseball career?

 

It sounds like he had to make a choice. I realize that minor leaguers don’t make a ton of money, unless you’re a high round draft pick, and the life can be strenuous, but didn’t this guy have a real shot at the majors. At that point he would of provided for his family much better than most other occupations. Lots of others major league players started a family prior to reaching the big league, some before their minor league career. Maybe I missed something.

 

See Scott Carroll and his lifetime pension share.

 

It does make more sense since he has a university degree from Hawaii and is already 26 pitching for an organization loaded with pitching prospects, but he could have asked for his release and probably gotten it.

Edited January 27, 2018 by caulfield12