Cooper
Malamazian

+ INF Cooper Malamazian (Nazareth Academy, 2024; Indiana commit) continues to trend up in front of our scouting staff, giving a strong look on both sides of the ball. Stands at 6-foot-1, 180-pounds with lean strength and plenty of room to add on muscle in the coming years. The right-hander hitter has fluidity and looseness in his stroke, remaining on the barrel throughout the weekend with hard contact to his pull-side. Power potential in the swing as he continues to put on good weight. Reached up to 98.1 mph for his max exit velocity with a max distance of 349’. His BLAST Metrics are also worth noting, as he averaged 22.7 mph for his hand speed and 73 mph for his bat speed. On the infield, Malamazian moves with ease and rhythm, shifting easily to either side of his glove with confident hands and actions. His arm plays with easy life across the diamond and on the move, reaching up to 89 mph in the workout. 

An Indiana signee, Malamazian lands on our second team after continuing to impress as one of the top shortstops in Illinois’ class of 2024. Malamazian, who has manned the shortstop position for Nazareth Academy since his freshman season, ended the spring with a .528/.593/.944 slash line with five long-balls, 32 RBI’s and 27 runs scored across 72 at-bats. Malamazian was a mainstay for a Nazareth Academy club that captured its second straight IHSA Class 3A State Championship this past spring. In the state championship game against Grayslake Central, Malamazian finished going 1-for-3 at the plate while also closing the contest out on the mound, tossing two scoreless frames to secure the victory for the Roadrunners.

Indiana commit. Ranked 11th for the class in Illinois, 323rd nationally. Powerful, agile 6-foot-1, 175 pound build, coordinated movements. Malamazian showed prompt instincts all weekend both in the batter box as well as at shortstop. Fast hands with twitch, short to the baseball with barrel length through the zone, level plane. Advanced defender at a premium infield position. Cut off a throw to second base and nabbed a would-be run at home in the first inning. Nimble feet, comfortable on the move, maintains rhythm and covers ground confidently. Soft clean funnels, accurate across the infield with the arm strength to stick on the left side. Trending upward as a high-end 2024 prospect in Illinois. 

Indiana commit. In limited game action last week due to scores of games, Malamazian went 5-for-11 with two home runs, two triple, a double, eight RBIs, five runs scored, and two walks. In their 4-0 win over Maple Shade (NJ) Malamazian went 1-for-2 with a triple, two RBIs, one run scored, and two walks. He went 3-for-4 with a home run, triple, four RBIs, and three runs scored in their 16-0 win over Notre Dame Ohio. In their 10-0 win over Plainville (CT) he went 1-for-2 with a home run, two RBIs, and a run scored, and also threw one inning on the mound, striking out two.

INF Cooper Malamazian (Nazareth) is an Indiana recruit that continues to ascend every time we get our eyes on him. As a freshman he was the varsity shortstop on a quality Nazareth club and he has not looked back, featuring smooth actions on the infield with fluid easy footwork and sure hands. His arm stands out playing ultra loose and easy across the diamond (T89 mph), up nine mph since our last look. Offensively the right-handed hitter continues to see his bat speed tick up as well, as he has added quality lean muscle to his athletic, wide-shouldered, 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame. He has a balanced, loose swing, with fluid rhythm throughout, creating freedom in his hands and whip through the zone. Malamazian also hopped on the mound and ran his fastball up to 87 mph while spinning a sharp low-70s curveball. All kinds of ceiling left for Malamazian to tap into down the road. 

Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds. Wiry, projectable build, room to add on strength as he matures.
Hit: RHH. Relaxed balanced setup, short stride. Creates easy bat speed, repeats, feel for the barrel, whippy through the zone, ball jumps off the bat.
Power: 98 max exit velocity, averaged 83.8 mph. 343’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 89 mph. Loose, whippy arm, quick 3/4 release, easy life and carry across the diamond.
Defense: Fluid, athletic actions, plays through the ball with tempo and confidence, clean transfer.
Run: 6.85 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Drop and drive delivery, swings into landing, works in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Clean arm circle, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T87, 85-87 mph. Slight arm-side run, some life out of the hand.  T2136, 2077 average rpm.
CB: 69-71 mph. 11/5 shape, above average action and depth. T2259, 2198 average rpm.

Indiana commit, currently ranked No. 17 in Illinois’ 2024 class. Projectable, athletic build with a high waist, listed at 5-foot-11, 150-pounds but looks to have added on some muscle since our last look. Started at shortstop and hit in the three-hole for No. 6 Nazareth on Saturday. Right-handed hitter utilizes a fluid/quiet load, moving with a lift-and-place type stride, highly repeatable. His hands work quietly into footstrike and then move quickly through the zone with a level path, clear line-drive approach up the middle, remaining loose and athletic throughout the swing process. He took impressive reps before the game in IO; flashing soft hands that work out in front of his body, playing through with fluid feet into a clean/quick transfer. His arm plays from a clean ¾ slot, short out of the glove with clear arm-strength across the diamond, also playing on the move from multiple slots.

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 150-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Quiet, relaxed swing, fluid throughout, path works efficiently uphill, gap-to-gap approach, line drives.
Power: 88.27 max exit velocity, averaged 83.71 mph. 328’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Fluid infield actions, soft hands, clean exchanges, easy footwork, ability to play on move.
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60.