Former Auburn University infielder Cooper Weiss, who went undrafted, has reached an agreement with the San Diego Padres.
Weiss played a pivotal role in Auburn’s season as a fifth-year player, appearing in nearly every game and showcasing a strong bat along with reliable defense.
During his tenure with the Tigers, Weiss achieved a .291 batting average with 37 RBIs in his lone season. He was also second on the team with 34 walks and accumulated 20 extra-base hits, including eight home runs.
Looks like #Auburn SS Cooper Weiss is signing a UDFA deal with San Diego after not hearing his name called over the weekend, per his Instagram.
He’s the fourth Tiger from this year’s draft process to find a professional home. pic.twitter.com/GlOmYw3nUB
— Adam Cole (@colereporter) July 16, 2024
Defensively, Weiss predominantly played as a middle infielder and maintained a career-high fielding percentage of .974 during his final collegiate season. Over his five-year college career, he held a solid .958 fielding percentage.
While the Padres already have a deep roster of middle infielders, they are known for taking on players who have potential versatility, often transitioning them to outfield or corner positions. This strategy has been successful with players like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill, who initially played shortstop but were converted to outfielders. Jake Cronenworth similarly began at second base before moving to first.
Weiss’s college journey began at Coastal Carolina, where he played for three seasons before transferring to Miami of Ohio for his senior year. At Miami of Ohio, he earned the MAC Defensive Player of the Year award, boasting a remarkable .989 fielding percentage at shortstop.
Beyond baseball, Weiss was also a standout golfer during his high school days in Florida. He was recognized by Perfect Game as one of the top-10 players at his position while attending the Canterbury School. Additionally, Weiss was a finalist for the 2019 Fort Myers News-Press Baseball Player of the Year and led his team to three consecutive Class 3A state championships from 2016 to 2018, along with a runner-up finish in 2019.