History of Michael Kopech in Timeline

Michael Kopech is a professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers in MLB. Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2014, he debuted in MLB with the Chicago White Sox in 2018. Traded to the Dodgers in 2024, he won the World Series that year. His career has been marked by high expectations and notable performances in MLB.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1923: Second White Sox Pitcher to throw an Immaculate Inning

In 2024, on July 10th, Michael Kopech became the second White Sox pitcher to throw an immaculate inning (and the first since Sloppy Thurston in 1923) while recording a save against the Twins.

April 30, 1996: Michael Kopech Born

On April 30, 1996, Michael Talbert Kopech was born. He is an American professional baseball pitcher.

Others born on this day/year

2014: Perfect Game All-American Honors

In 2014, Michael Kopech earned Perfect Game First-Team All-American honors, posting a 3-0 record with a 0.44 ERA in 11 games for Mount Pleasant High School.

2014: Drafted by Boston Red Sox

In 2014, Michael Kopech was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the first round of the MLB draft.

2014: Professional Debut with Gulf Coast League Red Sox

In 2014, after receiving a $1.6 million signing bonus from Boston, Michael Kopech started his professional career with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Red Sox, posting a 0-1 record and a 4.61 ERA in eight starts.

2015: Suspended for violating Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program

In 2015, while pitching for the Greenville Drive, Michael Kopech was suspended without pay for 50 games after testing positive for Oxilofrine.

July 13, 2016: Threw one of the fastest pitches in baseball history

On July 13, 2016, Michael Kopech, while playing against the Wilmington Blue Rocks, threw one of the fastest pitches in professional baseball history, reaching speeds up to 105 miles per hour.

December 6, 2016: Traded to the Chicago White Sox

On December 6, 2016, Michael Kopech was traded by the Red Sox to the Chicago White Sox along with other players for Chris Sale.

2016: Broke hand and returned to action

In 2016, Michael Kopech broke his right hand during spring training. He returned to action later in the season, playing for the Lowell Spinners and being promoted to the Salem Red Sox.

January 17, 2017: Threw a pitch clocked at 110 mph

On January 17, 2017, Michael Kopech unofficially threw a pitch at 110 miles per hour during an offseason workout.

August 18, 2017: Promoted to Triple-A Charlotte Knights

On August 18, 2017, Michael Kopech was promoted by the White Sox to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights after posting a 2.87 ERA over 119+1⁄3 innings in 22 starts with 155 strikeouts for the Double-A Birmingham Barons.

2018: MLB Debut with White Sox

In 2018, Michael Kopech made his MLB debut with the Chicago White Sox.

2018: Tommy John Surgery

In 2018, Michael Kopech underwent Tommy John surgery on September 18, ending his season after making four starts for the White Sox.

2019: Engaged to Vanessa Morgan

In 2019, Michael Kopech announced his engagement to Vanessa Morgan.

2019: Out for the season

Michael Kopech was out for the entirety of the 2019 season following Tommy John surgery.

January 2020: Married Vanessa Morgan

In January 2020, Michael Kopech and Vanessa Morgan got married.

June 2020: Filed for Divorce

In June 2020, Michael Kopech filed for divorce from Vanessa Morgan shortly after their marriage.

July 10, 2020: Opted out of 2020 season

On July 10, 2020, Michael Kopech announced that he would sit out the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

January 2021: Birth of First Child

In January 2021, Vanessa Morgan gave birth to Michael Kopech's son.

2021: Pitched as a reliever for the White Sox

In 2021, the White Sox moved Michael Kopech to the bullpen, and on May 26 he went on the injured list with a strained left hamstring. He returned to the active roster on June 30. Kopech picked up his first career postseason win in the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros.

May 2022: Paternity Leave for Second Child

In May 2022, Michael Kopech took paternity leave from the White Sox for the birth of his second child with his new girlfriend, Morgan Eudy.

2022: Returned to the Starting Rotation

In 2022, Michael Kopech returned to the starting rotation for the White Sox. He was placed on the injured list on September 17 with right shoulder inflammation, shutting him down for the season.

January 13, 2023: Agreed to contract with the White Sox

On January 13, 2023, Michael Kopech agreed to a one-year, $2.05 million contract with the White Sox, avoiding salary arbitration.

August 2023: Engaged and Expecting Second Child with Morgan Eudy

As of August 2023, Michael Kopech and Morgan Eudy were engaged and expecting their second child together.

July 29, 2024: Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers

On July 29, 2024, Michael Kopech was traded by the White Sox to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a three-team deal.

2024: Won World Series with Dodgers

In 2024, Michael Kopech was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers and subsequently won the World Series with the team.

2024: White Sox move to Bullpen

In 2024, despite preferring to remain a starter, the White Sox moved Kopech to the bullpen.

2024: Postseason Performance for Dodgers

In the 2024 postseason, Michael Kopech pitched for the Dodgers, including appearances in the NLDS, NLCS where he recorded a win in Game 3 and started Game 6 as an opener, and the World Series.

2025: Started season on injured list

Due to arm inflammation in the offseason, Michael Kopech started the 2025 season on the injured list and was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 1, rejoining the Dodgers on June 7.