MLB Draft: Auburn's Garrett Cooper selected by Milwaukee Brewers - WNEM TV 5

Senior Garrett Cooper became the first Auburn player selected in the 2013 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft when the Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the sixth round on Friday.

A first baseman, Cooper was pick No. 182 overall and extended Auburn's run of MLB selections to 39 consecutive drafts, dating to the 1975 season.

"This is probably one of the better feelings I have had in my life," Cooper said. "My advisor called me and the Brewers took me right on the spot. I didn't even have time to think about it."

A Second Team All-SEC selection in 2013, Cooper finished the season hitting .354, which was seventh among SEC players at the end of the regular season. He also finished the year among the league leaders in overall slugging percentage (.540, sixth), on base percentage (.481, second), home runs (seven, tied for seventh), total bases (102, tied for 13^th) and walks (37, tied for third). His on base percentage ranks ninth all-time in Auburn history for a single season.

"After my junior year and getting hurt at the end of the year I wanted to put on weight and thought that would pay dividends in my senior year," Cooper said. "I think it helped, hitting over .350 with seven bombs. We ended the season on a sour note but for myself I felt like I had a great season and that showed with the draft this year."

A transfer from El Camino Community College prior to the 2012 season, the Manhattan Beach, Calif., native hit .340 during his two-year stay at Auburn. In 105 games he collected 21 doubles, one triple and 12 home runs, driving in 68 RBI and scoring 66 runs. He finished his career with a .503 slugging percentage and a .452 on base percentage. Defensively he had a career .989 fielding percentage.

Cooper is Auburn's highest draft pick since Dan Gamache was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates with pick No. 182 in the 2011 MLB Draft.

Milwaukee's selection of Cooper marked the first time he has been drafted in his career.

Milwaukee had selected five Auburn players prior to the Cooper selection: LHP Monte Sharp (1965, 22^nd Rd.), LHP Richard Nance (1970, 2^nd Rd. June Secondary Phase), RHP Mark Chapman (1987, 18^th Rd.), RHP Scott Sullivan (1992, 39^th Rd. – Did Not Sign) and IF Hunter Morris (2010, 4^th Rd.).

INFORMATION SOURCE: Auburn Athletics Dept.