Patrick Copen is a 6’6 big armed right handed pitcher that was drafted by the Dodgers last summer in the 7th Round. Copen is very long, no doubt, but he is also a great athlete and has shown that he loves the clutch moments.

Clutch

Copen is from Belpre, Ohio where he was a 2 way star at Parkersburg Catholic. Of course, his prowess on the diamond was undeniable, which is why he went D1 at Marshall, but what you may not know is that he was a great basketball player as well.

And, he was clutch.

During his Junior year he led his club to the State tournament, something of which he still views as one of his most favorite sports memories. He consistently posted doubles doubles, was known for his breakaway dunks, and, also, buzzer beating 3 pointers.

When the game is on the line, he wants the ball in his hands as he showed on a December night in 2019 when he hit a kick out 3 to beat one of the best teams in Ohio, Notre Dame.

Copen recalls that moment.

“I’m gonna be fully honest with you, I don’t think I was fully aware that it was a game winner. It was kind of just right place at the right time. There was really nothing going through my head at that point, it was just catch and shoot. “

Copen greatly enjoyed his time at Parkersburg Catholic and loved getting to play all over the field. But, at 6’6, and with a big arm, it was inevitable that he would eventually end up being a PO (Pitcher Only).

Thundering Herd

Copen decided to go to Marshall which, although was in a different state, was only about an hour South of Belpre. The Thundering Herd had a lot to offer, including a brand new stadium, a great coaching staff and the opportunity for his family to get to watch his weekend starts.

Copen loved his time at Marshall

Marshall was close and my family could watch me pitch on the weekends and I had a great relationship with the pitching coach. It was also my first offer, and he would call sometimes just to talk, which, as a 17 or 18 year old, struck with me to build an actual personal relationship.

Copen continued

I was really hoping to get the new field. We were supposed to get it my Freshman year, but Covid struck, but it was a great experience.

Copen became the Friday night starter for Marshall his Sophomore season where, despite not posting an eye popping ERA, he did flash big stuff.

His fastball reached as high as 97 with natural cut and ride, which led to 83 Ks in 72.2 innings. Between that and his natural ability to make the ball turn left (supinate), Scouts saw his potential and he eventually got drafted in the 7th Round of last Summers draft.

Prospect Feature

Copen made 4 appearances after getting drafted, 2 in the regular season and 2 in the Post Season, and was a part of the Great run for the Quakes making it all the way to the Cal League Championship game. At 6’6 he has a world of potential and is super excited to get his professional career started.

When asked to describe what it was like to take the mound for the first time as a professional, here’s what he had to say.

I was a little anxious, but when I got on the mound I went into a state of flow to where it was just muscle memory. It didn’t matter if guys were drafted in the first round or whatever, I just needed to do what I needed to do to get outs.
Then, I just needed to repeat that mindset

Here’s what he had to say about his pitch mix and the type of pitcher he is.

In the Spring I had a 4 Seam, slider, curveball and a Change Up. Before I got into a game with the Dodgers I added a 2 seam. I got rid of the change up and added a cutter.

Copen continued about what his mix looks like right now

So right now I have a cutter, a sweeping slider, curveball and then my 4 Seam and 2 Seam fastballs.

I’ve done a lot of work adjusting those pitches. 

The 4 Seam has a little bit of “cut” and “ride” to it and I use that a lot up in the zone to get swing and miss. The 2 Seam is new so I just use it to jam hitters, get a ground ball or something like that. 

Same thing with the cutter. 

It’s just a slightly different look from the 4 seam, then the sweeping slider and curveball will be my swing and miss pitches. 

Finishing Up

As you can tell, Patrick is very intelligent and he understands what has and what will continue to allow him to maximize his effectiveness. At 6’6 the ball looks like it’s coming straight down hill to the hitters, and, because of his length, he gets great extension, meaning he delivers the ball closer to home plate than most pitchers. 

Patrick is also super humble, but very confident, is extremely hard working and has a great mix of not taking things non baseball too serious, but then locking in and getting into a state of flow once he is performing between the lines.

He threw 4 times last year with Rancho, so it would stand to reason that’s where he will start next year, as he starts his first full year as a professional.

Big thanks to Patrick for joining, it is much appreciated, and it was a pleasure to get to speak with him, and Dodgers Daily will be rooting for him all along the way. 

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