Bradford High graduate Ben Copeland has landed a spot on Major
League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics 40-man roster.
Copeland, a right fielder, will join A’s position players when
they report to training camp today and will have his first
full-squad workout Thursday.
The left-handed hitter was selected by Oakland from San
Francisco in the Major League Phase of the 2008 Rule 5 Draft. The
Rule 5 draft held in December is designed to keep teams from
signing young players to their minor league affiliates when they
are deemed ready for the majors by another team.
“The Rule 5 Draft is setup to keep guys from being drowned out,”
said Copeland. “The Giants had to make a decision to keep me on the
40-man roster or not. They chose not to and Oakland was able to
pick me up.”
If the 25-year-old Copeland doesn’t spend all of 2009 on
Oakland’s 25-man Major League roster he must be offered back to San
Francisco. If the Giants claim him, then he is placed on the waiver
list for three days and can be signed by any club. If no one claims
the former Bradford High slugger at that point, he stays with the
Athletics.
Oakland acquired Matt Holliday in the off-season to play left
field and probable starter Ryan Sweeney is in center field. This
leaves Copeland competing for a starting roster spot during spring
training with the other outfielders on the 40-man active
roster.
The other listed outfielders on the A’s 40-man roster are Travis
Buck, Aaron Cunningham, Rajai Davis and Chris Denorfia.
“I’ve been meeting with the front office, coaching staff and
players,” said Copeland. “It’s been a good experience and I’ve been
enjoying it so far.”
Copeland says he benefited from time spent with his new
teammates and in particular All-Star Matt Holliday.
“This is a player that you can take so many things from and
being a younger guy I know I can look up to him,” Copeland
said.
“This being my third big league camp, I am not as star struck
coming in as I was in the past,” added Copeland.
“It’s an unusually long spring training with the WBC (World
Baseball Classic), but this will benefit me by getting me more at
bats and more time on the field,” noted Copeland.
Copeland began the 2008 season with Double-A Connecticut (103
games) and was promoted to Triple-A Fresno (22 games). In those 125
games, he batted a combined .276 with five homers, 46 RBIs and a
.350 on-base percentage. Copeland had 13 triples that tied him for
fourth in the minors and added 24 steals on 31 attempts, 70 runs
and 21 doubles.
In the fall of 2008, Copeland represented the Giants in the AFL
(Arizona Fall League) where he played for the Scottsdale Scorpions
and hit .275 with a .367 on-base percentage.
“The AFL was good experience for me because a lot of the guys
that were competing will be in the big leagues this year,” Copeland
said. “So I know I can make the transition, too.
His 2007 season was spent at Class A San Jose where he batted
.280 with seven homers, 50 RBIs and a .387 on-base percentage in
106 games.
Copeland says his biggest improvement was overcoming the fears
that come with playing the game.
“I’m no longer nervous and overwhelmed,” he said. “I wake up
everyday and I’m excited to go to the ballpark. I’m having fun
competing at the highest level.”
MLB opening night takes place April 5 when Atlanta travels to
Philadelphia. That Sunday is also the day when teams have to reduce
their active player roster to 25 men.
“I will be pretty pumped up if I’m still around here in the
beginning of April,” added Copeland.
