Patrick Copen shines in Dodgers’ Spring Breakout Game
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BELPRE -- Tagged as one of the Los Angeles Dodgers' top pitching prospects, Patrick Copen showed off his craft this past Saturday as part of Major League Baseball's series of Spring Breakout Games.
The Parkersburg Catholic grad, who pitched three seasons at Marshall University, and his Dodger teammates met up with the top prospects out of the Los Angeles Angels' organization in a nine-inning game at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
The 6-foot-6 Copen pitched both the seventh and eighth innings, allowed just one hit and struck out four while throwing just 28 pitches while recording his six outs.
The Dodgers won 8-1 and according to a representative from Dodger Daily, Copen was described as having bigtime athletic ability and expect fast development for him. The author went on to say Copen has already filled out quite a bit since being drafted and features a four-seamer with a cut and ride, while adding a two-seamer to go with his sweeping slider and curve.
His father, Curt, and several dozen family and friends gathered at JP Henry's in Parkersburg to watch the game live.
"When he received the news he was going to be part of the Spring Breakout game, he sent a text and said, 'Yes, it is kind of a big deal,'" Curt Copen said. "We had to make a couple of calls and find out who would put the game on TV. JP Henry's was very accommodating and took good care of us.
"Watching him on TV, there were a lot of swings and misses which is really good. He had really good location and clearly had good command, throwing just 28 pitches in two innings. I don't think he went three balls on any of the seven batters he faced. That was a spot he wanted to get better at. He looked pretty impressive. We received a text from him after the game and he said he was pleased with himself."
Patrick Copen spent a majority of the winter offseason in the Mid-Ohio Valley. He also visited his girlfriend in Pennsylvania. She lived a half-four from his former teammate and battery mate at Marshall - catcher Ryan Leitch. Copen took advantage of the opportunity to do bullpen sessions with Leitch, also a player who has aspirations of playing major league baseball.
"Patrick gained 20 pounds during the fall and winter," his father said. "His lower body filled out - the added strength and weight is taking a lot of stress off his arm. His delivery is more compact.
"At Marshall, he was throwing anywhere from 88 to 91 miles per hour. He returned to Marshall this winter. On their pitching machines, he was throwing 92 to 95."
While the parent team opened their season this past week in a two-game series with the San Diego Padres in South Korea, Copen was waiting to hear about his starting destination for the 2024 season as players are assigned to their respective minor league teams in the upcoming week.
Drafted in last year's seventh round, Copen started two games last summer for the Class A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in the California League.
"Patrick has never lacked for confidence, but has stayed humble," his father said. "He is very driven - I am impressed by his approach and work ethic. He treats his craft like a job. During the offseason, he would get up in the morning and start with his routine. He would say he was going to work."
Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com