Auburn Tigers First Baseman Stuns Baseball World by Signing With Atlanta Braves as Undrafted Free Agent After Stellar Season

In a move that caught many in the college baseball and MLB scouting community by surprise, Auburn Tigers first baseman Cooper Weiss has officially signed with the Atlanta Braves as an undrafted free agent. The power-hitting corner infielder, who wrapped up his final collegiate season with one of the best statistical campaigns in the SEC, didn’t hear his name called during the 2025 MLB Draft but didn’t have to wait long to earn his shot at the pros.

For Auburn fans, this is a proud yet bittersweet moment. Weiss, a fan favorite known for his towering home runs and unrelenting hustle, leaves behind a lasting legacy at Plainsman Park. The Tigers faithful had hoped to see him selected in the draft, but the sting of being passed over was quickly soothed by the news that he had landed with one of the most respected player development organizations in Major League Baseball.

Weiss’s road to professional baseball has been anything but conventional. He wasn’t a household name coming out of high school, and he had to earn every opportunity he received on The Plains. A late bloomer with a relentless work ethic, Weiss worked his way into the Auburn lineup during his sophomore season and never looked back.

In 2025, Weiss exploded for career-best numbers. Over 57 games, he batted .324 with 19 home runs, 62 RBIs, and a .602 slugging percentage. He led the team in total bases and was second in walks, showcasing a more refined plate discipline that made him one of the most feared hitters in the SEC. His glove wasn’t just dependable—it was a weapon. Weiss committed just three errors all season and finished with a fielding percentage of .992.

Despite those numbers, Weiss was not among the players selected during the 20 rounds of the MLB Draft. Scouts cited concerns about his age—he turned 23 earlier this year—and questions about whether his power would translate at the next level. Still, several organizations expressed post-draft interest in bringing him aboard.

The Braves, known for targeting high-character players with upside, moved quickly. Within hours of the draft’s conclusion, Atlanta offered Weiss a free agent deal that included a signing bonus and an invitation to their Florida Complex League. It was an opportunity Weiss had been waiting his whole life for, and he jumped at it.

“Being passed over in the draft hurt, there’s no way around that,” Weiss said in an emotional video posted to Auburn baseball’s official social media page. “But I believe in my ability, and I’m grateful to the Braves for believing in me. I’m going to give them everything I’ve got.”

His head coach at Auburn, Butch Thompson, echoed those sentiments.

“Coop is a player that defines toughness and persistence,” Thompson said. “You never had to worry about him showing up ready to work. I’ve coached a lot of guys who made it to the next level, and Cooper Weiss has every tool—mentally and physically—to do the same.”

Weiss becomes the latest in a growing pipeline of Auburn players to sign with MLB organizations, further solidifying the Tigers as a powerhouse for both development and exposure. His move to the Braves adds an intriguing chapter to the story, considering the club’s deep connections to the southeastern U.S. and their emphasis on regional scouting.

For Atlanta, signing Weiss is a low-risk, high-reward move. The Braves have made a habit of finding gems outside the top of the draft board, and they’ve earned a reputation as one of the best in baseball at developing under-the-radar talent into legitimate contributors. That includes former undrafted free agents who have gone on to reach the big leagues, a path that Weiss will now attempt to follow.

Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 215 pounds, Weiss has the physical makeup scouts look for in a corner infielder. His bat speed and strength were never in doubt, but what really sold the Braves was his ability to adjust within at-bats, something that came into full bloom during the second half of the 2025 season. His OPS after the midway point? A jaw-dropping 1.134.

That surge coincided with Auburn making a late push into the NCAA Tournament picture, thanks in large part to Weiss’s timely hitting. He delivered three game-winning hits during the final month of the regular season and had a memorable three-homer game against LSU that made national headlines.

“He just kept getting better,” said Auburn hitting coach Gabe Gross. “Cooper’s approach matured so much this season. The raw power was always there, but the way he started to drive the ball to all fields—that was next-level stuff.”

Even before the draft, Weiss had quietly emerged as a potential sleeper in scouting circles. Several analytics-driven departments appreciated his hard contact rate and improving strikeout-to-walk ratio. Still, it was Atlanta that took the first step, offering a path forward when the draft overlooked him.

That loyalty has not gone unnoticed.

“They believed in me when others didn’t,” Weiss said. “I’ll remember that.”

While it’s uncertain where exactly Weiss will begin his professional career, sources close to the Braves indicate he’ll report to their spring training facility in North Port, Florida, for a brief orientation before being assigned to either their FCL Braves squad or the Augusta GreenJackets, Atlanta’s Single-A affiliate. Wherever he lands, Weiss is expected to slot into the lineup as a first baseman and designated hitter.

“I’ve always played with a chip on my shoulder,” Weiss added. “That’s not going to change now.”

His signing also serves as a beacon of hope for other college players who go undrafted. The MLB Draft has shrunk in recent years—from 40 rounds to just 20—and many talented players are now forced to wait for free agency or independent ball opportunities. For athletes like Weiss, who thrive on proving people wrong, that can be fuel.

“I want every kid who gets passed over to see this and know their dream isn’t over,” Weiss said. “I’m living proof of that.”

Weiss’s Auburn teammates, many of whom had expected him to be drafted, flooded social media with support and congratulations.

“Braves got a DAWG,” tweeted Auburn outfielder Colby Simmons.

“No one deserves it more than Coop,” added shortstop Caden Green. “Day in and day out, he set the tone for this program. He’ll do the same in the pros.”

As the Braves continue to build their farm system for sustained success, adding players like Weiss reflects their broader strategy: target overlooked talent, invest in development, and let the results speak for themselves. For fans of Auburn and Atlanta alike, Weiss’s journey represents a feel-good story in an era where many athletes are defined solely by draft status or rankings.

And as for the doubters?

“They can keep talking,” Weiss said, cracking a smile. “I’ve got a uniform to earn.”

From the Plains of Auburn to the professional fields of the Braves’ system, Cooper Weiss is ready to take the next big swing.