adminCooper Pratt’s religion is Latter-day Saint. The Milwaukee Brewers rookie shortstop is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and does not drink alcohol, according to Church News and Deseret News. His faith drew national attention in October 2026 when he celebrated the Brewers’ division series win with Fanta rather than champagne.
Early Life and Background
Church News describes a Latter-day Saint upbringing shaped by baseball and faith. Pratt’s parents married in the Salt Lake Temple and set out to build their home around gospel principles. His father, Russell Pratt, played baseball at the University of Utah and helped create a baseball development complex near Oxford, Mississippi. His mother, Heidi Pratt, is a family physician who played college softball.
The family belongs to a ward in Oxford, Mississippi, where Russell currently serves as bishop. Pratt has older and younger brothers, and his uncle Trent Pratt is the head baseball coach at BYU. Church News reports that the Pratt boys were among the few Latter-day Saints at their school and learned that their actions could shape how others understood their faith.
Milwaukee drafted Pratt in the sixth round (182nd overall) in 2023. He made his major league debut on June 16, 2026, and signed an eight-year, $50 million contract, according to both outlets.
Cooper Pratt Religion: Beliefs and Practice
Pratt told Church News that he does not drink, saying, “I just don’t drink.” Abstaining from alcohol is a standard part of Latter-day Saint practice, and it is the detail that put his faith in the spotlight once he reached the postseason.
Church News reports that after the 2023 draft he read the Book of Mormon through for the first time. About halfway through, he said, he received personal revelation that it is true. He keeps up his faith by listening to general conference talks and studying scripture regularly, and he pays tithing, which he says has brought him blessings: “I can see the blessings.”
His father told Church News, “He’s comfortable in his own skin. He knows who he is.” His mother said that the family can now look back and see that “Heavenly Father had a bigger plan for him than what we could see.”
The Fanta Moment
The Brewers beat the Padres on October 7, 2026, to win the National League Division Series. The sparkling cider that normally would have been set aside for Pratt was forgotten, so he found glass bottles of Fanta in the cafeteria and celebrated with those. Deseret News quoted him saying of the soda, “Tastes special, tastes special after that one, man.” Looking ahead to a deeper run, he told Church News, “Hopefully we win it all and I’ll celebrate with Fanta.”
Fans and media then asked about his beliefs. Reporting on his faith has focused on his own words and his family’s, and no source describes any change in his religious affiliation.
Readers interested in other well-known Latter-day Saints can compare Torah Bright’s religion and Russell Nelson’s religion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What religion is Cooper Pratt?
Cooper Pratt is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to Church News and Deseret News. He does not drink alcohol, which is consistent with Latter-day Saint practice.
Why did Cooper Pratt drink Fanta after the Brewers’ win?
After the Brewers won the National League Division Series on October 7, 2026, the sparkling cider set aside for Pratt had been forgotten. He drank Fanta instead of champagne or beer, and the moment drew public attention to his faith.
Is Cooper Pratt’s family Latter-day Saint too?
Yes. Church News reports that his parents married in the Salt Lake Temple, that the family belongs to a ward in Oxford, Mississippi, and that his father, Russell Pratt, serves as bishop. His uncle Trent Pratt is the head baseball coach at BYU.
Does Cooper Pratt pay tithing and study scripture?
According to Church News, he pays tithing, studies the scriptures regularly and listens to general conference talks. He says he has seen blessings from paying tithing.
