Dodgers Minor Leaguer Struck in Face By Scorching Line Drive, Leaves Game

J.P. Hoornstra | Aug 20, 2024

Aug 16, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Los Angeles Dodgers hat and glove in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Dodgers minor league pitcher Patrick Copen was struck by a line drive Tuesday in the Great Lakes Loons' game against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and forced to leave.

According to Daniel Jackett on Twitter/X, the line drive was a 100-mph shot that struck Copen in the face, resulting in the 22-year-old pitcher being carted off the field.

Something no baseball fan ever wants to write, but not life threatening

Great Lakes Loons pitcher Patrick Coppen was hit in the face with a 100mph line drive...He did not loose consciousness, and is being carted off the field @msalas24 @snidog @westcoastdude84@seiderblom

— Daniel Jackett (@daniel_jackett) August 20, 2024

Copen, a seventh-round draft pick out of Marshall in 2023, started the advanced Class-A game at Dow Diamond in Midland, Michigan. He allowed one run over the first two innings before walking Wisconsin's Luis Lara to begin the third.

The next batter, Cooper Pratt, was credited with a single on the line drive back to the mound.

According to Hugh Bernreuter of MLive.com, the pitcher was put in a neck brace, but he moved his arms as he was taken off the field on a stretcher.

The Loons did not make any further information about Copen available during or after the game.

Copen, a 6-foot-6 right-hander, is the Dodgers' No. 20 prospect according to MLB Pipeline.

The Parkersburg, W.V. native began the season at Class-A Rancho Cucamonga and went 5-2 with a 3.15 ERA in 13 games (11 starts) across 54.1 innings. On June 25, Copen was promoted to advanced Class-A Great Lakes.

In eight starts with the Loons, he is 3-2 with a 4.21 ERA, with 35 strikeouts and 27 walks in 36.1 innings. Opponents are hitting .248 against him in his first exposure to Midwest League pitching.

In 24 minor league games (21 starts), Copen has thrown 95 innings while allowing only 76 hits, walking 55 and striking out 97.

#Loons Patrick Copen takes the mound with a 2-1 and 3.00 ERA since being promoted up from the Quakes. pic.twitter.com/CVzuZ0EKIE

— 🇺🇸 DooM_Sal (@msalas24) July 25, 2024

Copen's draft bonus was $225,500.