LSU pitcher [autotag]Riley Cooper[/autotag] became the third Tigers reliever to hear his name called during Day 3 of the 2023 MLB draft Tuesday.
The lefty was selected in the 13th round by the Baltimore Orioles with the 391st pick. Cooper is the second LSU player the Orioles drafted, joining right-hander [autotag]Blake Money[/autotag], who they took in the 12th round.
An Arizona transfer who followed coach [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] to Baton Rouge, Cooper was one of the primary bullpen pieces the last two seasons, leading the staff in appearances in 2022 and 2023.
As a junior this season, he played in 32 games, pitching 61.2 innings with a 5-3 record, 4.38 earned run average and a 63-to-20 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He also recorded three saves.
Cooper played the hero for the Tigers in Omaha this year, earning a save as LSU avoided elimination against Wake Forest and a win as it outlasted Florida in extra innings to take Game 1 of the championship series.
Riley Cooper has been selected by the Baltimore Orioles with the 391st pick@Rileycoop | @Orioles pic.twitter.com/0Lr8hkBgS0
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) July 11, 2023
With one more year of eligibility, Cooper has the option to return to Baton Rouge for his senior season if he doesn’t like his offer from Baltimore.
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