Cooper Dossett’s Rise, Fall, and Return to Draft Pools

Perfect Game Record at Har‑Ber High School

Cooper Dossett still holds the Perfect Game national mark after launching a 100 MPH outfield throw during his senior season at Har‑Ber High School in Springdale, Arkansas. The four‑year letterman batted .312/.432/.625 with 21 doubles, 10 home runs and 26 walks, striking out 46 times in 79 games. On the mound he logged 28 appearances, posting a 2.13 ERA over 98.2 innings while fanning 188 batters. Scouts labeled him one of the top overall prospects in the 2022 draft class from Arkansas and among the nation’s elite high‑school players.

Arkansas Razorbacks: Early Promise and Early Setbacks

When Dossett arrived at the University of Arkansas, he quickly made two relief appearances, but confidence waned after a rough 1.2‑inning stretch in which he surrendered four runs. Coach Dave Van Horn pulled him from the lineup for the remainder of that season. The brief stint highlighted the hurdles young arms face when early results betray potential.

Summer League Attempts with Green Bay Rockers

To add innings and refine his craft, Dossett joined the Green Bay Rockers of the Northwoods League that summer. He recorded 13 games out of the bullpen, compiling a 4.83 ERA across 31.2 frames, allowing 29 hits with 18 walks and 43 strikeouts. The experience provided a lower‑level platform to rebuild confidence after the college setbacks.

2024 Campaign and Tommy John Crisis

Van Horn gave Dossett a longer leash in 2024, yet the right‑hander struggled, posting a 5.17 ERA in 15.2 innings over 14 relief outings. He allowed just seven hits but walked seven and yielded 20 strikeouts. The downfall culminated in a 14‑4 loss to Texas A&M, where he tore his UCL and required Tommy John surgery that fall. The injury forced him to sit out the entire 2025 season and ultimately left him undrafted.

Redshirt Junior Resurgence and Draft League Action

Returning for a redshirt junior year, Dossett appeared in 16 games, though his ERA rose to 6.88 in 17.0 innings, with 12 hits, 12 walks and 18 strikeouts. After the Razorbacks’ season ended, he signed with the Williamsport Crosscutters in the MLB Draft League to showcase his stuff against higher‑level competition. The stint offered a brief window to reset his draft narrative.

Pitching Mechanics and Velocity Profile

Dossett works from a three‑quarters arm slot, employing a full over‑the‑head wind‑up while short‑arming the ball, a shift from an earlier low‑three‑quarters release. He blends a four‑seam fastball, cutter, curveball and an occasional changeup. His fastball sits low‑to‑mid‑90s, touching 96 MPH in the Draft League, and despite a modest spin rate, the seam‑shifted wake produces an elite 21.3‑inch vertical break. The cutter crests at 91 MPH with average glove‑side action, the curveball hovers in the low‑80s with a 1‑7 break, and the changeup sits in the low‑80s as a firm change‑of‑pace offering.

What the 2025 Draft Holds for Dossett

Dossett entered the 2025 MLB Draft eligible but went unselected, underscoring how a major injury can reshape a prospect’s timeline. His refined mechanics and plus‑plus velocity on the fastball retain upside, though his overall command and health remain concerns for future teams. The next step will be rebuilding arm strength and discovering whether the changes in delivery can protect his arm while maintaining effectiveness.