The only earned run he has allowed came on a solo home run in his first appearance. That's the only extra base hit he's given up.
Those numbers are exactly what he was looking for after being drafted in the 34th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks following his 2009 all-American season at Des Moines Area Community College in Iowa. He knew going to the Cape Cod League and proving he could compete with the nation's best collegiate players could raise his stock with Arizona, which has until Aug. 15 to sign him or he'll be eligible for the 2010 draft after pitching next season at Bradley.
An Arizona scout has been to see him pitch twice and Cooper expects other team officials to come see him pitch soon.
"Maybe the scouting director and general manager are coming," Cooper, who was 13-2 with a 2.13 earned run average and 118 strikeouts in 89 innings his senior year at Boyle, said. "I am pretty sure they will be at the all-star game because that's when the big guys usually come out to watch.
"They realize I am doing well and doing what they asked me to do to get more money. But when it comes to money, it's not only how I do but how well others they drafted do or how much money they have already spent on draft picks."
'It's like the Mecca of the baseball world'
His focus now, though, is on Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox.
"I've never been there. It's like the Mecca of the baseball world," Cooper said. "I've always wanted to have a chance to go there because there is so much history in that park. It will be exciting just to see what it is like to play in a big league park. I'm sure it will be a great experience.
"I've been fortunate to pitch well. Numbers can sometimes be deceiving for a pitcher and sometimes that has happened with me when I have pitched better than my numbers showed. It's nice to pitch well and have the good numbers to go with it."
Cooper insisted when he turned down a six-figure offer from the Diamondbacks to play in the Cape Cod League that he would not let the pressure of trying to earn a lucrative contract impact his play. Instead, he's viewed this as an opportunity.
"Every time we go out, our coach and pitching coach tell me people are watching and this is an opportunity to do well and make money," Cooper said. "One of my strengths has been realizing every time I go on the field I try to be at my best and remember that every pitch counts."
That didn't change when he found out he would not be a starting pitcher this summer like he was in high school and college. Instead, he's been used in relief, including closing games at times.
"I have kind of been the guy pitching every day. If we have a situation where we are in the lead or in a close game, they throw me in there to get a strikeout or a couple of outs," Cooper said. "I have been the go-to guy in jams. It's not the job everyone wants because it can be stressful and put pressure on you. But I like it because it means the coaches trust you and have confidence in you to keep a game close.
"I have never done that before except my freshman year at Eastern Kentucky. It's different to throw an inning or two every other day, or even back to back. I like it. I get a lot of appearances rather than just throwing once a week like a starter does. So far, it's working fine for me."
The other plus to his new role is that it just major league scouts he is versatile and could fill more than one role.
"Scouts like versatility. They pay attention to more than just how you pitch and perform," Cooper said. "They care if you are coachable. I heard that from (Boyle) coach (David) Camic all the time. They like versatility and guys who will do whatever role they are asked to the best of their ability and be happy to do it. They want guys who will compete and play hard.
"It's still kind of hard for me to believe I have done this well because every team has a roster stacked with great players. I am fortunate to be doing as well as I am, and I am really blessed to be going to Fenway. It's just been a great summer."
