Cooper Criswell #64

Full name is Cooper Timothy Criswell (“CRISS-well”)...Pitched at Southern Union State Community College (2016-17) and the University of North Carolina (2018)...Graduated from Carrollton (Ga.) High School...Cooper’s father, Tim, was selected by the Dodgers out of Georgia Perimeter College in the third round of the Secondary Phase of the 1983 June Draft. He played five Minor League seasons in the Dodgers and Braves systems, going 9-2 with a 3.59 ERA in 34 games (12 starts) on the mound while also batting .270 in 891 PA, primarily as a catcher.

2023

Pitched in 10 games (all in relief) across eight stints with the Rays...Each of his 10 appearances lasted at least 2.0 innings, including four outings of at least 4.0 innings...Also pitched in 23 games (17 starts) for Triple-A Durham, posting a 5.51 ERA with eight HR in his first 12 games (47.1 IP, 29 ER, 58 H) and a 1.93 ERA with 0 HR in his remaining 11 outings (37.1 IP, 8 ER, 29 H). For Durham, held a 5.51 ERA through 7/6 but lowered it to 3.93 by season’s end...Allowed one or zero ER in eight of his final 10 Triple-A outings, from 7/28 through the end of the season (2.23 ERA)...MLB opponents hit .211 against his sweeper (8-for38) with a .166 expected AVG...Made his 2023 MLB debut on 4/17 at CIN, striking out seven batters with 0 BB in 4.0 IP (4 ER, 4 H, 2 HB)...Earned his first career MLB win on 5/26 vs. LAD (4.0 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 4 SO).

2022

Claimed off waivers from the Angels on July 16 and optioned to Triple-A Durham…designated for assignment on July 19, cleared waivers and outrighted to Durham…started in his Rays debut on Sep 12 at TOR and retired his first nine BF, including his first career strikeout against Vladimir Guerrero Jr. …made 17 apps (nine starts) in the Minors across three levels of the Rays and Angels systems and went 2-2 with a 3.95 ERA (54.2-IP, 24-ER)…started the International League Championship Game and went three scoreless innings in a 13-0 win.

2021

Started season with Double-A Rocket City, where he made 12 starts, going 6-4 with a 3.71 ERA (70.1 IP - 39 ER) with 85 strikeouts and just eight walks...Won four consecutive starts for Trash Pandas from June 16-July 3, going 4-0 with a 2.30 ERA (27.1 IP - 7 ER) with 34 strikeouts and two walks...Earned Double-A South Pitcher of the Week honors for June 14-20...Tossing 6.2 scoreless innings on June 16 vs. Biloxi with three hits allowed, no walks and a minor league career high 14 strikeouts...Promoted to Triple-A Salt Lake on July 31 and made four starts for Bees, going 2-1 with a 3.98 ERA (20.1 IP - 9 ER) before having contract selected by Angels on Aug. 27...Made Major League debut Aug. 27 with start vs. San Diego (L; 1.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO)...At time of promotion was rated by MLB.com as the #29 overall prospect in the Angels organization and the #15 pitcher...Was optioned back to Salt Lake following the start for Angels and made final five starts of year for Bees.