Kevin Kopps

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Kevin Kopps
Kevin Kopps, 2019 Super Regional (cropped).jpg
Kopps in 2019
San Diego Padres
Pitcher
Born: (1997-03-02) March 2, 1997 (age 24)
Sugar Land, Texas
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Career highlights and awards

Kevin Richard Kopps (born March 2, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the San Diego Padres organization. He previously played college baseball for the Arkansas Razorbacks of the University of Arkansas, competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). In 2021, he won the Golden Spikes Award, the Dick Howser Trophy, National Pitcher of the Year Award, and Stopper of the Year Award.

Career[]

Kopps attended George Ranch High School in Fort Bend County, Texas. He played for the school's baseball team as a pitcher, and was twice named all-state.[1] He enrolled at the University of Arkansas to play college baseball for the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). As a redshirt freshman in 2017, Kopps had a 3.31 earned run average (ERA) in 49 innings pitched. He did not play during the 2018 season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. In 2019, his sophomore year, he had a 3.16 ERA in 37 innings pitched. As a junior in 2020, he had a 8.18 ERA in 11 innings pitched before the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of the remainder of the season.[1][2]

After his poor 2020 season, Kopps was unsure if the Arkansas coaches wanted him on the team in 2021, but they assured him that they did.[2][3] He reworked his pitching delivery to be more natural and less over-the-top based on how he was playing fetch with his dog.[4] In 2021, his senior year, Kopps had a 12–1 win–loss record with a 0.90 ERA with 11 saves in 89+2⁄3 innings across 33 games. His ERA led all NCAA Division I pitchers.[1] He was named the Southeastern Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Year.[5] He won the Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Year Award, Stopper of the Year Award, the Dick Howser Trophy, and the Golden Spikes Award.[2][6][7]

The San Diego Padres selected Kopps in the third round, with the 99th overall selection, of the 2021 Major League Baseball draft.[8] Kopps later signed with the Padres and received a $300,000 signing bonus.[9]

In September 2021, Kopps was promoted to Double-A San Antonio after an excellent showing at Single-A Fort Wayne.[10]

Personal life[]

At Arkansas, Kopps earned a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering and has completed coursework towards a Master of Business Administration. Kopps' sister, Ashley, played softball for Sam Houston State University.[1]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d Welch, Monique (June 25, 2021). "George Ranch grad Kopps locks down national awards". Houstonchronicle.com. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "A 'wanted' man: Nation's best player doubted his place". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. June 19, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  3. ^ Kuhlmann, Landan. "Sugar Land native living out faith through baseball". Fort Bend Star. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  4. ^ "Kevin Kopps selected by Padres in third round of 2021 MLB Draft". Mlb.com. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  5. ^ Dunsmore, Ryan. "Notebook: GR's Kevin Kopps wins SEC pitcher of the year". Fort Bend Herald. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  6. ^ "Razorbacks' Kopps wins Howser Trophy as top college player". Chron.com. June 18, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  7. ^ Walters, Nick. "Kevin Kopps Wins 2021 Golden Spikes Award | KLRT". FOX16.com. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  8. ^ Jourdan Black. "Arkansas pitcher Kevin Kopps drafted by Padres". 4029tv.com. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  9. ^ "Kevin Kopps signs with Padres". wholehogsports.com. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  10. ^ https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/padres/story/2021-09-15/padres-minor-league-report-kevin-kopps-james-wood[bare URL]

External links[]

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