Scott Copeland

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Scott Copeland

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1987|12|15}}

| birth_place = Longview, Texas, U.S.

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = May 2

| debutyear = 2015

| debutteam = Toronto Blue Jays

| debut2league = KBO

| debut2date = April 22

| debut2year = 2016

| debut2team = LG Twins

| finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = May 31

| finalyear = 2018

| finalteam = New York Mets

| final2league= KBO

| final2date = July 7

| final2year = 2016

| final2team = LG Twins

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 1–1

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 5.94

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 8

| stat2league = KBO

| stat21label = Win–loss record

| stat21value = 2–3

| stat22label = Earned run average

| stat22value = 5.54

| stat23label = Strikeouts

| stat23value = 34

| teams =

Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|2015}})
LG Twins ({{baseball year|2016}})
New York Mets ({{mlby|2018}})

}}

File:Scott_Copeland_(8589441717)_(cropped).jpg

Scott Reast Copeland (born December 15, 1987) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets and in the KBO League for the LG Twins.

Professional career

Copeland attended White Oak High School in White Oak, Texas.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=copela001sco|title=Scott Copeland Minor League Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdate=May 2, 2015}}

=Baltimore Orioles=

Copeland then attended the University of Southern Mississippi, and was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 21st round, with the 628th overall selection, of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.news-journal.com/news/2014/aug/15/white-oak-product-copeland-one-level-away-from-maj/|title=White Oak product Copeland one level away from Majors|last=Ogden|first=Brandon|work=news-journal.com|date=August 15, 2014|accessdate=May 2, 2015}} Copeland played the 2010 season with the Low–A Aberdeen IronBirds and Single–A Delmarva Shorebirds, and totaled a 3–5 win–loss record, 2.66 earned run average (ERA), and 53 strikeouts in 71 innings pitched. Copeland began the 2011 season in Delmarva, and later earned a promotion to the High–A Frederick Keys. In 141{{frac|2|3}} innings pitched, he posted an 8–11 record, 5.53 ERA, and 77 strikeouts. Copeland made 18 starts with the Keys in 2012, posting a 3–8 record with a 6.88 ERA before being released by Baltimore on July 19, 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-35685802|title=Copeland Shines in Dunedin Debut|last=Durham|first=Craig|work=Minor League Baseball|date=July 27, 2012|access-date=May 2, 2015}}

=Toronto Blue Jays=

On July 24, 2012, Copeland signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He spent the remainder of the year with the High–A Dunedin Blue Jays for the rest of the season. In 36{{frac|2|3}} innings with Dunedin, Copeland posted a 4–1 record, 2.70 ERA, and 32 strikeouts.

Copeland opened the 2014 season with the Double–A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and earned a late promotion to the Triple–A Buffalo Bisons. In total, he pitched to an 11–9 record, 3.45 ERA, and 105 strikeouts in 164{{frac|1|3}} innings. In the offseason he played for the Estrellas de Oriente of the Dominican Winter League, posting a 2–0 record and a 1.23 ERA in 29{{frac|1|3}} innings. Copeland opened the 2015 season in Triple–A, and earned a 2–1 record with a 1.44 ERA through his first 4 starts.

Following a Blue Jays loss on May 1, 2015, Copeland was promoted to the major leagues for the first time, replacing Andrew Albers on the roster.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-send-pompey-albers-to-triple-a-buffalo/|title=Blue Jays send Pompey, Albers to triple-A Buffalo|last=Singh|first=David|work=Sportsnet|date=May 2, 2015|accessdate=May 2, 2015}} He made his debut on May 2, pitching 1 scoreless inning in an 11–4 win against the Cleveland Indians. Copeland was optioned back to Triple–A Buffalo the following day,{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-option-castro-delabar-jenkins-recalled/|title=Blue Jays option Castro; Delabar, Jenkins recalled|work=Sportsnet|date=May 3, 2015|accessdate=May 3, 2015}} recalled on May 18,{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/600417038234849280|title=Blue Jays on Twitter|work=Twitter|date=May 18, 2015|accessdate=May 18, 2015}} and returned to Buffalo on May 29. He was recalled by Toronto again on June 2 to be the 26th man for the second game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, and was returned to Buffalo the next day. Copeland was recalled once again on June 10, to make his first major league start in place of Aaron Sanchez.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-push-back-sanchez-will-start-copeland/|title=Blue Jays push back Sanchez, will start Copeland|last=Davidi|first=Shi|work=Sportsnet|date=June 9, 2015|accessdate=June 10, 2015}}

He earned his first win as the Blue Jays beat the Miami Marlins 7–2. Copeland pitched 7 innings and yielded 7 hits and 1 earned run, while striking out 4.{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-crush-marlins-to-extend-winning-streak/ |title=Blue Jays crush Marlins to extend winning streak |date=June 10, 2015 |accessdate=June 10, 2015|work=Canadian Press}} He was optioned back to Buffalo after the game.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-option-scott-copeland-after-dominant-first-start/c-129816076|title=Copeland optioned after dominant first start|last=Ross|first=Jamie|work=MLB.com|date=June 10, 2015|access-date=June 15, 2015}} He was recalled on June 16, after Sanchez was placed on the disabled list,{{cite web|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2015/06/16/copeland-hit-early-and-often-in-jays-loss-to-mets|title=Copeland hit early and often in Jays' loss to Mets|last=Rutsey|first=Mike|work=torontosun.com|date=June 16, 2015|accessdate=August 26, 2015}} and made 2 additional starts for the Blue Jays before returning to Buffalo.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2015/06/21/jays-copeland-demoted-after-another-poor-outing|title=Jays' Copeland demoted after another poor outing|last=Rutsey|first=Mike|work=torontosun.com|date=June 21, 2015|accessdate=August 26, 2015}} He was designated for assignment on September 13,{{cite web|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/blue-jays-tulowitzki-out-2-3-weeks-with-crack-in-left-shoulder-blade-1.2561092|title=Blue Jays Tulowitzki out 2-3 weeks with crack in left shoulder blade|work=ctvnews.ca|date=September 13, 2015|accessdate=September 13, 2015}} and outrighted to Buffalo on September 16. Copeland finished his first Major League season with a 1–1 record, 6.46 ERA, and 6 strikeouts in 15{{frac|1|3}} innings pitched.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/copelsc01.shtml|title=Scott Copeland Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdate=October 5, 2015}}

Copeland elected free agency on November 6, 2015,{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=l_trn&lid=117|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421150258/http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=l_trn&lid=117|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 21, 2012|title=International League Transactions|page=November 2015|work=Minor League Baseball|access-date=November 7, 2015}} but was re-signed to a minor league contract by the Blue Jays on December 18, that included an invitation to spring training.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-agree-to-minor-league-deals-with-five-pitchers/|title=Blue Jays agree to minor-league deals with five pitchers|last=Hoad|first=Michael|work=Sportsnet|date=December 18, 2015|accessdate=December 19, 2015}} Copeland was reassigned to minor league camp on March 12.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/bnicholsonsmith/status/708770011318521856|title=Ben Nicholson-Smith on Twitter|work=Twitter|date=March 12, 2016|accessdate=March 12, 2016}}

=LG Twins=

On April 9, 2016, Copeland's contract was sold to the LG Twins of the KBO League for an undisclosed transfer fee.{{cite web|url=https://jaysjournal.com/2016/04/09/blue-jays-minor-leaguer-scott-copeland-sold-to-korean-team/|title=Blue Jays minor leaguer Scott Copeland sold to Korean team|last=Matheson|first=Keegan|work=jaysjournal.com|date=April 9, 2016|accessdate=April 9, 2016}} The Twins then signed him to a one-year, $750,000 contract.{{cite web|url=http://sports.news.naver.com/kbo/news/read.nhn?oid=117&aid=0002748864|title='마침내 왔다' LG, 외국인투수 스캇 코프랜드 영입|work=sports.news.naver.com|language=Korean|date=April 9, 2016|accessdate=April 9, 2016}} After 13 starts, he was waived and released on July 8, and replaced on the Twins' roster by another former major league pitcher, David Huff.{{cite web|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2016/07/08/0200000000AEN20160708009900315.html|title=LG Twins acquire new American pitcher|work=english.yonhapnews.co.kr|date=July 8, 2016|accessdate=July 18, 2016}}

=Toronto Blue Jays (second stint)=

On July 24, 2016, Copeland signed a minor league contract to return the Toronto Blue Jays, and was assigned to the Triple–A Buffalo Bisons.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/BuffaloBisons/status/757224676347224064|title=Buffalo Bisons on Twitter|work=Twitter|date=July 24, 2016|accessdate=July 24, 2016}} He made nine starts for the Bisons, going 3–4 with a 3.04 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 50{{frac|1|3}} innings. Copeland elected free agency following the season on November 7.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2016|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2016/|access-date=August 4, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 8, 2016 |language=en}}

=Miami Marlins=

During the 2016 offseason, Copeland signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins.{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-transactions-nov-19-dec-1/|title=Minor League Transactions: Nov. 19-Dec. 1|last=Eddy|first=Matt|work=baseballamerica.com|date=December 5, 2016|accessdate=December 7, 2016}} On April 14, 2017, while pitching for the Triple-A New Orleans Baby Cakes, Copeland pitched the first 7 innings of a combined no-hitter against the Iowa Cubs, with Hunter Cervenka pitching the 8th inning, and Brandon Cunniff pitching a perfect ninth.{{Cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/baseball/iowa-cubs/2017/04/14/new-orleans-pitchers-no-hit-iowa-cubs-scott-copeland-2017/100469844/|title = Three New Orleans pitchers combine to no hit Iowa Cubs|website = The Des Moines Register}} In 26 starts for New Orleans, he posted a 9–11 record and 4.97 ERA with 118 strikeouts in {{fraction|137|2|3}} innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2017|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2017/?amphtml|access-date=July 15, 2023|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 7, 2017 |language=en}}

=New York Mets=

On March 30, 2018, Copeland signed with the Somerset Patriots of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{cite web|url=http://www.somersetpatriots.com/news/?article_id=3203|title=Somerset Patriots Ink Major League RHP Scott Copeland|work=Somerset Patriots|accessdate=March 30, 2018}} However, he did not appear for Somerset, and signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets organization April 17.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazinavenue.com/2018/4/17/17249048/mets-scott-copeland-minor-league-contract-las-vegas-bullpen-depth|title=Mets sign Scott Copeland to a minor league contract|last=Schreiber|first=Nicholas|work=amazinavenue.com|date=April 17, 2018|accessdate=April 17, 2018}} Copeland was called up by the Mets on May 30,{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mets-scott-copeland-to-receive-promotion/|title=Mets' Scott Copeland: To receive promotion|work=cbssports.com|date=May 30, 2018|accessdate=May 31, 2018}} and designated for assignment on June 1. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Double–A Binghamton Rumble Ponies on June 3.{{cite news |last1=Healey |first1=Tim |title=Todd Frazier, Anthony Swarzak to rejoin Mets |url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/mets-cubs-1.18951451 |accessdate=5 June 2018 |work=Newsday |date=June 3, 2018 |language=en}} Copeland elected free agency on October 2.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/10/players-electing-free-agency.html|title=Players Electing Free Agency|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Jeff|last=Todd|date=October 8, 2018|accessdate=October 9, 2018}}

=Washington Nationals=

On December 30, 2018, Copeland signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-transactions-dec-19-2018-jan-10-2019/|title=Minor League Transactions: Dec 19 - Jan 10|work=Baseball America|first=Matt|last=Eddy|date=January 12, 2019|accessdate=January 12, 2019}} He became a free agent following the 2019 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2019/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2019|author=Matt Eddy|website=Baseball America|date=November 7, 2019|accessdate=November 7, 2019}}