Kooper Schulte's breakout year propelled him into becoming an MLB Draft pick

Perseverance paid off for New London, Iowa native Kooper Schulte as he can now say he is an MLB Draft pick.

Schulte grew up in a baseball family, with multiple family members playing college baseball, including his dad, Justin Schulte, a pitcher for the University of Iowa. He also has three uncles who all played college baseball, including Chad Schulte (Waldorf), Vance Schulte (Vanderbilt), and Vaughn Schulte (UAB). Kooper was destined to be a baseball player, and he now has the chance to play at the next level.

Schulte is headed to the Mets organization after being selected in the 20th round

Schulte took a road a lot less traveled to realize his professional baseball dreams, spending his first two collegiate seasons at the junior college level. He started at Central Arizona Community College (2023) before playing one season for his dad at Southeastern Community College (2024). His journey finally brought him to the University of Iowa, and the rest is history.

Schulte is headed to the New York Mets organization after they selected him with the No. 600 overall pick in the 20th round of the 2026 MLB Draft. Schulte is the fourth player in program history to be selected by the Mets and the 39th player drafted under Rick Heller since he took over the program in 2014. Schulte made an immediate impact for the Hawkeyes during the 2024-2025 season and used a breakout 2025-2026 season to earn a chance to play professional baseball.

In Schulte's first season with the Hawkeyes, he was a versatile utility infielder for Heller, earning 31 starts in 47 games played. He batted .268 with a .711 on-base plus slugging (OPS), with six doubles, three home runs, and 25 RBI. He became a full-time starter last season and made the most of his opportunity. He set career highs across the board, batting .274, posting an .840 OPS, with 18 doubles, nine home runs, and 39 RBI in 56 games (all starts). He also added 13 stolen bases in 17 attempts.

He put in the work and turned himself into a solid everyday starter for the Hawkeyes, and even though he was a 20th-round pick, he has a chance to prove himself at the next level. It isn't very common, but some premier MLB players have come from the 20th round, including Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, J.D. Martinez, Jose Bautista, and Jeff Kent.

Schulte brings defensive versatility, solid contact skills, and a sneaky element of speed, and he can hopefully progress quickly through the minor leagues so we can see him with the big league club sooner rather than later.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow