Arkansas pitcher Kevin Kopps makes history in latest national player of the year award
By SDS Staff
Published:
Arkansas pitcher Kevin Kopps had one of the greatest seasons in college baseball history, relief pitcher or not, and now, he’s going to need a bigger trophy case because of it.
Kopps’ latest award is the Dick Howser Trophy, which is the national player of the year award — the first time a relief pitcher has won the hardware. Twelve other pitchers have won the award, but none of them have been relievers, setting Kopps apart.
The pitcher joins former Arkansas standout Andrew Benintendi as the two Razorbacks who have won the trophy.
The dynamic relief pitcher finished 2021 with a 0.90 ERA and 0.76 WHIP in a team-high 89 2/3 innings. Hitters only managed a .162 average on Kopps this season.
Along with the Dick Howser Trophy, Kopps was named the SEC’s Pitcher of the Year and was selected as an unanimous First-Team All-American. He was also named College Baseball Foundation Pitcher of the Year and Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Year.
Kopps is also a semifinalist for college baseball’s biggest trophy — the Golden Spikes Award.
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
