The Emerging Prospect You Need to Know
Finding a breakout star before the wider market catches on is the goal of every serious card collector. Last year, the hype surrounding Cam Schlittler served as a prime example of how identifying talent early can level the playing field. Now, a similar opportunity is appearing in the upcoming Bowman Draft set.
While “Bowman paper” sets often struggle to capture the same investment fervor as premium chrome releases, there is a specific player in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization whose first card is about to debut. Despite his impressive statistics and one of the most compelling narratives in baseball, he remains largely under the radar.
The Remarkable Story of Patrick Copen
Patrick Copen, a 22-year-old pitcher for the Tulsa Drillers (the Dodgers’ Double-A affiliate), is making a name for himself through sheer resilience and performance. Standing 6’6” and weighing 220 lbs, Copen has posted a 3.31 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP this season, racking up 46 strikeouts in 33 ⅔ innings. His ability to miss bats is elite, evidenced by his 152 strikeouts in 117 ⅔ innings last year.
However, his stats are only half the story. Copen’s journey is defined by his recovery from a career-threatening injury:
“In 2024, Copen was hit in the face by a line drive. He lost vision in his right eye from the injury. A year later he was back on the mound.”
Though he has faced challenges—specifically in tracking runners while on the mound—his production has not suffered. While industry experts like Keith Law project him as a potential reliever and the Dodgers' deep pitching depth could create a bottleneck, Copen’s combination of high-level output and a story of profound perseverance makes his inaugural card a highly attractive acquisition for collectors.
Reflections on Card Grading
Beyond prospects, the broader landscape of card collecting continues to face scrutiny, particularly regarding grading services. A recent personal experiment involving the grading of a Lauren Betts rookie and a Trey Lance rookie yielded disappointing results.
After submitting these cards through a third-party process, the return of two "6" grades was unexpected, given the cards' actual condition. This experience underscores a common frustration among collectors regarding the subjectivity and inconsistency of grading companies. Many seasoned collectors are now reconsidering their options, looking toward alternative services like TAG, CSG, or SGC to ensure their cards are evaluated with greater transparency and fairness.