CLEVELAND, OH - The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has signed free agent 1B David Cooper to a minor league contract. Cooper, 26, split the 2012 season between Triple-A Las Vegas and the Toronto Blue Jays.
He began the year in Las Vegas where he hit .314 (82-261) with 27 2B, 10HR & 52 RBI in 62 games before being promoted to Toronto in May, batting .300 (42-140) with 11 2B, 4HR & 11 RBI in 45 games with the Blue Jays. His 2012 campaign ended in late August due to a mid-back strain, an injury that led to his March 2013 release from Toronto and required surgery in April.
The Stockton, CA native is a career .301 (593-1972) hitter in the minor leagues and over two Major League seasons with Toronto in 2011-12 he batted .270 (57-211) with 18 2B, 6HR & 23 RBI in 72 games. The left-handed hitting first baseman led the Pacific Coast League in batting average (.364) and doubles (51) for Triple-A Las Vegas in 2011. He was Toronto’s first round pick (17th overall) in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft and played collegiately at Cal State Fullerton and the University of California.
David has reported to the Goodyear (AZ) Player Development Complex and will eventually be assigned to the Triple-A Columbus squad.
(Press release from the Indians)
