Kooper Schulte's path to a potential 2026 MLB Draft selection is one heck of a story, especially considering he's already been passed over not once, but twice, in previous drafts. This infielder has baseball in his blood, with a family tree full of college players and coaches, and he's been battling through every level to get noticed.
From Iowa Prep Phenom to D1 Scramble
Schulte was a legit standout at New London High School, lettering five times and putting up a crazy .358 cumulative average, stacking up 21 doubles, 2 triples, 9 dingers, and a wild 39 stolen bags. His senior year in 2022 was next level: a .444 average with 13 doubles, 1 triple, 6 homers, and 9 stolen bases, leading his team to the 2022 State Championship. Everyone in Iowa knew his name, but the national scouts? Not so much. He went unselected in the 2022 MLB Draft and landed at Central Arizona Community College. His first year there, he hit .242/.343/.319 over 33 games, with 4 doubles, 1 homer, and 8 bags swiped in as many attempts. Not exactly lighting the world on fire, but that summer, playing for the Burlington Bees in the Prospect League, he started to show flashes, hitting a much better .373/.440/.522 in 19 games.The Family Connection and a Power Surge
After that, Schulte made a smart move, transferring closer to home to Southeastern Community College, where his old man, Justin, was the head coach. This is where things really started to click. His bat woke up, posting a .317/.467/.519 slash line with 14 doubles, 2 triples, 8 home runs, and 17 stolen bases in 19 attempts. He also drew 33 walks versus 38 strikeouts, showing serious plate discipline. Oh, and he even hopped on the mound for 8 games, though his 8.44 ERA in 5.1 innings suggests hitting is definitely his calling. His Blackhawks even made it to the NJCAA DII College World Series as the #7 seed, but went 0-2 in the opening round. After a summer with the Waterloo Bucks, he took the leap to NCAA Division I at the University of Iowa. His first D1 season in 47 games was a challenge, with a .268/.321/.390 line, 6 doubles, and 3 homers, good for a 72 wRC+.A Senior Statement and Pro Ambitions
Another year, another draft snub in 2025 after his junior season. But Schulte didn't quit. He went back to Burlington for the summer and then came back to Iowa for his senior year ready to prove something. And he did, big time. In 56 games, he slashed a respectable .274/.355/.484, blasted 18 doubles, a triple, 9 dingers, and snatched 11 bases in 13 tries. He walked 22 times compared to 46 strikeouts, showing that continued growth at the plate with a 97 wRC+. Standing 6'1" and 200 pounds, he's an infielder who gets squared up at the plate, hands held high, bat angled just so. This guy's journey is far from typical, proving that sometimes the long road is the best one. With the Mets keeping an eye on him for the 2026 Draft, it's clear his persistence and late-career surge are paying off. What kind of pro he becomes is the big question, but Schulte has already shown he can battle back from adversity. Keep watching this story, because it's only just beginning.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.