| Kevin Kopps | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Kopps in 2019 | |
| San Diego Padres | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1997-03-02)March 2, 1997 (age 28) Sugar Land, Texas, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
Kevin Richard Kopps (born March 2, 1997) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher in theSan Diego Padres organization. He previously played college baseball for theArkansas Razorbacks of theUniversity of Arkansas, competing in theSoutheastern Conference (SEC). In 2021, he won theGolden Spikes Award, theDick Howser Trophy,National Pitcher of the Year Award, andStopper of the Year Award.
Kopps attendedGeorge Ranch High School inFort Bend County, Texas. He played for the school's baseball team as apitcher, and was twice named all-state.[1] He enrolled at theUniversity of Arkansas to playcollege baseball for theArkansas Razorbacks in theSoutheastern Conference (SEC). As aredshirt freshman in 2017, Kopps had a 3.31earned run average (ERA) in 49innings pitched. He did not play during the 2018 season as he recovered fromTommy 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 theCOVID-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of the remainder of the season.[1][2]
After his poor 2020 season, Kopps was unsure if the Arkansascoaches wanted him on the team in 2021, but they assured him that they did.[2][3] He reworked hispitching delivery to be more natural and less over-the-top based on how he was playingfetch with his dog.[4] In 2021, his senior year, Kopps had a 12–1win–loss record with a 0.90 ERA with 11saves in89+2⁄3 innings across 33 games. His ERA led allNCAA Division I pitchers.[1] He was named theSoutheastern Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Year.[5] He won theCollegiate Baseball National Player of the Year Award,Stopper of the Year Award, theDick Howser Trophy, and theGolden Spikes Award.[2][6][7]
TheSan Diego Padres selected Kopps in the third round, with the 99th overall selection, of the2021 Major League Baseball draft.[8] Kopps later signed with the Padres and received a $300,000signing bonus.[9] Kopps made his professional debut with theFort Wayne TinCaps ofHigh-A Central. In September 2021, the Padres promoted Kopps to theSan Antonio Missions ofDouble-A South.[10] Over14+2⁄3 innings between the two teams, he went 1-0 with a 0.61 ERA and 22 strikeouts.[11]
In 2022, the Padres invited Kopps tospring training as a non-roster player.[12] He opened the season with San Antonio.[13]
At Arkansas, Kopps earned abachelor's degree inbiomedical engineering and has completed coursework towards aMaster of Business Administration. Kopps' sister, Ashley, played softball forSam Houston State University.[1]