Ben Copeland Stats & Scouting Report

AB	2968
AVG	.272
OBP	.351
SLG	.411
HR	46

Full name Benjamin Daniel Copeland
Born 12/17/1983 in Bradford, PA
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Pittsburgh
Drafted in the 4th round (132nd overall) by the San Francisco Giants in 2005 (signed for $227,000).

View Draft Report

Copeland put himself on the map with a big 2004 season. He set Pitt school records with 63 runs and 37 stolen bases and enjoyed an all-star summer in the Cape Cod League. With the Northeast portion of the country almost devoid of premium position prospects this year, he got more exposure than he may have otherwise, but it may have worked against him in a series against St. John's when scouts saw him get overmatched by Craig Hansen and Anthony Varvaro, that school's premium arms. He struck out several times and went on to strike out 47 times in 219 at-bats--a high number for a leadoff hitter. Overall, he hit .384-9-47 with 29 stolen bases and broke his own school record with 65 runs. Copeland has a live, athletic body. He's not a burner, yet his best tool is his speed, which he uses instinctively on the bases and in center field. He didn't play baseball his senior year of high school because of an injury and has shown his greatest improvement in three years in college at the plate, driving balls to the gap and using the whole field. He has a line drive stroke with emerging power and hands that are quick to the ball. He projects as a third- or fourth-rounder.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Giants gave up their first three picks in the 2005 draft for signing free agents Armando Benitez, Mike Matheny and Omar Vizquel. That was the best draft of the decade, and Copeland was San Francisco's first pick--which came in the fourth round. While he doesn't compare to the outfielders drafted early that year--a list that includes No. 1 overall pick Justin Upton, 2007 Minor League Player of the Year Jay Bruce, World Series hero Jacoby Ellsbury and other potential studs such as Cameron Maybin and Colby Rasmus-- Copeland still should be able to help San Francisco down the line. He profiles best as a fourth outfielder, as he has no true standout tool. His biggest weakness is power, as his line-drive stroke isn't conducive to hitting homers. He has a quick bat and is a tick above-average as a runner, though he's just a fair baserunner. Copeland also ranks as perhaps the Giants' most patient minor league hitter. After hitting better against lefties than righties in 2006, he struggled significantly against them in 2007, posting a .433 OPS against southpaws (compared to .903 against righties). While he can play center field, Copeland fits better in left, and his fringy throwing arm would be exposed in right. He's ready to jump to Double-A this year.
The Giants' top draft choice in 2005 (though not until the fourth round because of draft picks lost as free-agent compensation), Copeland played a full season in low Class A and his performance was in line with expectations. He makes consistent, squared-up contact, which is no surprise for a player who won a Big East Conference batting title, destroyed several Pitt single-season offensive records and was a third-team All-America selection in 2005. He's considered a good athlete and a total package, but none of his tools stands out. He has quick hands and can turn on good fastballs, but he might need to get a little stronger to emerge as a No. 2 hitter in the big leagues. The Giants would also like Copeland to eliminate some of his many fly outs, which aren't a good match for his baserunning skills and instincts. He plays a good, instinctive center field with a playable throwing arm and good range thanks to his above-average speed. Copeland should have little trouble adjusting to high Class A this season.
Though San Francisco didn't have a pick in the first three rounds of the 2005 draft, the player-development staff was pleased with the talent uncovered by the scouting department. The Giants' first choice came at No. 132 overall, and though offensive outfielders are a strength of the system, Copeland's tools were too good to pass up. So was his production. He led the Big East Conference in hitting, runs, hits, doubles, total bases, slugging percentage and stolen bases in 2005, and he set Pittsburgh single-season records for runs, hits, doubles and triples. He's the highest-drafted player out of the Panthers' resurgent program since 1985, when the Royals took Chris Jelic in the second round. Copeland's quick hands help him make quick adjustments and turn on good fastballs. With more experience he'll learn to trust his hands and wait better on breaking balls. He has solid gap power and is an above-average runner with good instincts on the bases and in the outfield. His arm is fringe average but more than playable in center, and staying in center will be the key to whether Copeland can be an everyday player. He'll report to low Class A for his first full season.

Minor League Top Prospects

Copeland's skills and work from the leadoff spot made Decker feel like he was watching Johnny Damon, without the beard and flowing mane of hair. Copeland, San Francisco's top pick (fourth round) in the 2005 draft, uses the whole field well and shows the ability to drive the gaps for extra bases. His line-drive swing, strength and speed mean he should pile up plenty of doubles and triples in the minors before those shots morph into home runs at a later stage of his career. "He's not a burner, but boy he's quick out of the box and fast down the line," Decker said. "He hits a groundball to second base and you look up and it's bang-bang at first. It's not a 75 runner first to home where you go, 'Wow!' but boy he's so quick that it's surprising." Copeland's speed and instincts also play well in center field, though he spent more time in left for Salem-Keizer in deference to Michael Mooney. He tracks down fly balls easily and has a solid arm.