East County Athlete of the Week: Cooper Pote

No player in The Out-of-Door Academy dugout has been more productive than Cooper Pote this season. The sophomore utility player on the Thunder baseball team has batted .333, as of Feb. 27, with seven hits and six RBIs — both team-high marks. He's also collected two doubles and two triples, accounting for four of the squad's 14 extra-base hits. ODA sits at 2-4 with victories over Booker, 16-0 on Feb. 9, and Bradenton Christian, 14-4 on Feb. 20. Pote is the East County Athlete of the Week.

You've had an efficient start to the season. What's made that possible?

I'm just staying true to myself and true to who I am as a player. I'm not a power hitter. (I hit) line drives in the gaps.

Why do you enjoy competing and practicing with this group of guys?

They're great. Everyone on the team is great — nothing bad to say about them. It feels like a family, and we have a lot of leaders.

What goals do you have entering your sophomore season with ODA?

Obviously, I would like to win our district championship, and then make a deep run in the playoffs. Having a winning record, too.

How are you trying to improve as a player early in 2026?

I've been working on hitting a lot recently. Pitching I would like to see get better, too — it hasn't been off to a great start this season.

When and why did you start playing baseball?

I started at 3 years old. It was the first sport that clicked for me, and I've always loved it since then. I've just played it all the time, every day.

Do you have any family who played the game before you?

My dad (Jason Pote) played. He played three sports, but baseball was always his favorite.

What's driven you to stick with the sport after all these years?

It's just the love of the game. There's stuff that no other sport could match for me. Watching it, playing it — I do it all. And I love it.

What quote or piece of advice have you always carried with you?

"Next pitch."

If you could meet any professional athlete, who would you meet and why?

Miguel Cabrera has always been my favorite player. I'm a Tigers fan, so I've always loved him. He can really do it all, and his patience in the box... He's not a home-run hitter, he's not an average guy — he does everything.

If you could go anywhere for a dream vacation, where would you go and why?

Australia. There's a lot of wildlife there to see.

What's a fun fact about you not a lot of people know?

I was born in Detroit, Michigan. Our family has lived here for three or four years now.

Finish this sentence. Cooper Pote is ...

... Positive.