Mike Koplove

Mike Koplove
File:Mike Koplove, Las Vegas.jpg Koplove pitching for the Las Vegas 51s, Triple-A affiliates of the Los Angeles Dodgers, in 2008.
Relief pitcher
Born: (1976-08-30) August 30, 1976 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 6, 2001, for the Arizona Diamondbacks
Last MLB appearance
September 26, 2007, for the Cleveland Indians
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	15–7
Earned run average	3.82
Strikeouts	175
Teams
Arizona Diamondbacks (2001–2006) Cleveland Indians (2007)

Olympic medal record
Representing United States
Men's baseball
	2008 Beijing	Team

Michael Paul Koplove (/ˈkɒpləv/; born August 30, 1976) is an American retired sidearm relief pitcher.

Koplove throws with a different arm angle than most pitchers. His arm angle is perpendicular to his body, which allows his fastball to sink and his curveball and slider to stay on the same plane, making it appear to be a fastball.

Early life

Koplove grew up in South Philadelphia and attended Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia (where he was a first-team Philadelphia Daily News All-City selection as a senior) from which he graduated in 1995. After high school Koplove first attended Northwestern University for 2 years before transferring to the University of Delaware prior to his junior year. During his junior season at the University of Delaware, he helped lead the team to the 1998 America East Championship and the NCAA Atlantic II Regional. He was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 29th round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.

Career

Arizona Diamondbacks (2001–06)

He played for the Diamondbacks 2001 World Series championship team, but was not on the World Series roster.

In 2002, Koplove was 6–1 with a 3.36 ERA in 55 games, giving up only 47 hits in 61.2 innings (holding batters to a .213 batting average and a .276 slugging percentage; with men on base he was even stingier – .207/.228). In games that were late and close, he held batters to a .188 batting average.

In 2003, Koplove was 3–0 with a 2.14 ERA in 31 games. With runners in scoring position, he held batters to a .100 batting average, and a .133 slugging percentage, and he held the first batters he faced to a .074 batting average.

In 2004, Koplove set career highs in appearances (76), innings pitched (86.2) and strikeouts (55) but his ERA was at 4.05.

In 2005, his struggles continued as his ERA ballooned even higher (5.07) in just 44 appearances.

He only appeared in 2 games in the 2006 season. He spent the majority of the year in AAA, where he had a 5-0 record in 48 games.

In 6 seasons with the Diamondbacks (2001–06), he made 217 relief appearances (3rd in team history as of May 2007), compiling a 15–7 record with 2 saves and a 3.76 ERA.

Florida Marlins organization (2007)

In January 2007, the Florida Marlins extended a spring training invitation to Koplove, who signed a minor league contract with the ballclub, but in March 2007 they released him.

Cleveland Indians (2007)

In March 2007, the Cleveland Indians agreed to terms with Koplove on a minor league contract. On May 23, the team called him up from the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. He was 2–0 with 3 saves and a 1.00 ERA in 17 relief appearances (18 innings, 15 hits, 2 earned runs, 8 walks, 14 strikeouts). He had limited batters to a .224 average and a .111 average with runners in scoring position.

Eight days later, the team optioned Koplove to the Bisons. Koplove appeared in three games after being called up. He allowed two earned runs in four innings for a 4.50 ERA. In 2007, with the Buffalo Bisons he was 4–2 with 14 saves and a 2.50 ERA in 51 relief appearances.

Los Angeles Dodgers organization (2008)

After becoming a minor league free agent following the conclusion of the 2007 season, Koplove signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 12, 2007. He pitched the entire year for the Dodgers Triple-A affiliate, the Las Vegas 51s.

In 2008, he was named to the United States national baseball team for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Olympics (2008)

Koplove played for the 2008 US Olympic team, earning a bronze medal with the club. He was the only American pitcher not to give up a hit; he pitched 5⅓ innings in four appearances, and struck out six.

Philadelphia Phillies organization (2009)

Koplove was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies to a minor league contract after the 2008 season, and was invited to spring training as a non-roster invitee. After spring training, however, he was sent to the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs in the International League. His contract called for him to be paid $16,000 per month in the minors, as opposed to $550,000 if he made it to the big league team. On June 1, 2009, Koplove exercised a clause in his contract that stated if he was not on the major league roster by June 1, he would be granted his outright release.

Pittsburgh Pirates organization (2009)

On June 6, 2009, Koplove signed a minor league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and was assigned to the Indianapolis Indians, also in the International League.

Seattle Mariners organization (2009–2010)

On August 4, 2009, the Pirates traded Koplove to the Seattle Mariners for minor league shortstop Deybis Benitez. He was granted free agency in November 2009.

On December 22, 2009, Koplove signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.

On July 1, 2010, Koplove was released by Seattle.

San Diego Padres organization (2010–2011)

The Padres signed Koplove in August 2010 and resigned him in February 2011. However, he didn't make the spring training roster and was cut

Camden Riversharks (2011)

He signed with Camden Riverhsharks of the Indy league. He has filled for free agency hoping to sign on to a new team

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference
• Baseball Cube stats
• Baseball Almanac bio
• BR Bullpen profile
• "Warming up for the Jewish Boys of Summer," 3/5/08
• USA Baseball web site