No, this is not the guy hitting 7th for the Jays tonight against the Yankees.

Let’s be honest. It wouldn’t be fair to pass up writing about any of our beloved prospects making their major league debut. We’ve had the hype recently of the Arencibia’s and Drabek’s of the organization while we still wait for Canadian wonderkid Brett Lawrie to get his chance. This article though is about the next prospect to make his debut. That honour belongs to 1B/DH David Cooper.

David Cooper was drafted in the 2008 MLB draft 17th overall by the Blue Jays. Cooper was actually the pick after Milwaukee selected Lawrie in that draft. The 6′ 200lb first baseman was drafted out of the University of California and hyped for his ability to hit for both average and decent power. In 2009, Cooper started to show off that power with a 10HR 66RBI season with 32 doubles in AA New Hampshire.

After the Roy Halladay deal in which Toronto acquired powerful 1B Brett Wallace, some began to wonder what future Cooper may have in the organization(myself included). Maybe not as quickly as Mike Napoli, but soon enough, Wallace was gone from the organization and Cooper regained the spot of 1B waiting in the wings in the system. Cooper used this motivation to have another solid season in 2010 in New Hampshire, hitting 20HR’s with 78RBI’s and another 30 doubles.

2011 Cooper was promoted up to the AAA team in Las Vegas of the PCL, a very hitter friendly league. Cooper in April has flourished in the desert, hitting a sparkling .395 with 2HR”s and 19RBI’s and 12 doubles in just 20 games with the 51′s. With that production, Cooper earned his ticket up to the big time. What better team to make your major league debut against than none other the New York Yankees? Cooper is DHing tonight and will hit in the 7th slot in the lineup against Freddy Garcia, a former 18 game winner.

Can Cooper handle the pressure and produce? Is he capable of pulling off a JP Arencibia type debut? Arencibia, who is known for more power than Cooper, is actually hitting behind him 8th tonight. How long until he gets to play the field and let Adam Lind have a night off? We’ll just have to tune in tonight at 7pm on Sportnet to see the scoop on the coop!