Cooper Benjamin (2027)
6-foot-0, 180 pound LHP/CF
2025 Signature Event: Underclass Elite
The logical progression continues for the California lefty, who attended the Fresh 50 in 2023 and was on the roster at the Underclass Premier in 2024. He’ll return this year to the Underclass Elite, a trip earned after a dominant showing on the mound for the Cardinal squad at the 2027 grads Underclass Combine that closed out our nearly-month long stay in Houston this summer.
A nominee for the 2025 NSMA New Jersey Sportswriter of the Year, 43-year-old Mike Ashmore has 24 years experience and over 2,000 games covered in professional baseball.
Since 2003, he has six World Series and has worked high-profile events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his role working for the Future Stars Series that he's held since 2017, Ashmore currently serves as the beat writer of the Double-A New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, as well as national hockey writer and New York Jets game day beat reporter for The Trentonian.
A regular contributor to Baseball America, Ashmore has worked eight Super Bowls, 13 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, the NCAA D1 Men's Basketball Tournament, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Frozen Four, Daytona 500, major UFC events and much more as he approaches 3,300 games covered in his career.
An avid trading card enthusiast and motorsports fan, he lives with his wife, Sarah, their son, future No. 1 overall draft pick in 2042, William, their beloved dog, Bailey, and occasionally well-behaved cat, Smokey.
Since 2003, he has six World Series and has worked high-profile events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his role working for the Future Stars Series that he's held since 2017, Ashmore currently serves as the beat writer of the Double-A New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, as well as national hockey writer and New York Jets game day beat reporter for The Trentonian.
A regular contributor to Baseball America, Ashmore has worked eight Super Bowls, 13 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, the NCAA D1 Men's Basketball Tournament, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Frozen Four, Daytona 500, major UFC events and much more as he approaches 3,300 games covered in his career.
An avid trading card enthusiast and motorsports fan, he lives with his wife, Sarah, their son, future No. 1 overall draft pick in 2042, William, their beloved dog, Bailey, and occasionally well-behaved cat, Smokey.
Latest posts by Mike Ashmore (see all)
- 2026 Underclass Elite Award Winners: David Bankston, Best Hitter - September 25, 2026
- 2026 Underclass Premier Award Winners: Hendrix Pope, Best Hitter - September 24, 2026
- 2026 Fresh 50 Award Winners: Benjamin Conforti, Best Hitter - September 23, 2026
