Michael Kopech is one of the most widely discussed pitchers in modern Major League Baseball—known as much for his electric fastball and raw potential as for the injuries and personal challenges that have shaped his journey. Over the past decade, Kopech has been a fascinating figure in the baseball world, generating headlines for his 100+ mph velocity, his early rise as a top prospect, his high-profile marriage to actress Vanessa Morgan, and his repeated efforts to make a full comeback after multiple injuries.
This article explores who Michael Kopech is, his career stats, contract history, injuries, family, wife and children, net worth, and other key aspects of his life and career—including his age and birthday. Whether you’re a baseball fan or researching the name for the first time, here is the most in-depth profile of Michael Kopech you’ll find.
Who Is Michael Kopech?
Michael Talbert Kopech is an American professional baseball pitcher born on April 30, 1996, in Mount Pleasant, Texas. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing around 220 pounds, Kopech is one of the most naturally gifted pitchers of his era. From his teenage years, scouts marveled at his arm strength, describing him as a “future ace” long before he ever stepped foot onto a major league mound.
Kopech’s baseball journey began early. Raised in Texas—a state known for producing elite baseball talent—Michael quickly drew attention with his rare combination of size, athleticism, and velocity. His fastball, even before he turned 20, routinely touched triple digits. In 2014, he was drafted 33rd overall in the first round by the Boston Red Sox, officially beginning his professional career.
His rise was rapid but turbulent. Off-the-field issues, injuries, and setbacks interrupted his momentum, but his potential never stopped shining. When the Red Sox traded him to the Chicago White Sox in 2016 as part of the blockbuster Chris Sale deal, Chicago fans celebrated him as the franchise’s future star pitcher.
While injuries slowed his development, Kopech—now 29 years old as of 2025—remains one of baseball’s most recognizable names and a pitcher capable of greatness when healthy.
Michael Kopech Age & Birthday
- Birthday: April 30, 1996
- Current Age: 29 (as of 2025)
Even in his late 20s, Kopech is still entering what many consider the prime years of a pitcher’s career. His age suggests that, if he regains full health, he has time left to deliver the dominant seasons many predicted years ago.
Michael Kopech Height & Physical Profile
Michael Kopech’s athletic build is one of the core reasons he became a top pitching prospect:
- Height: 6 ft 3 in (190 cm)
- Weight: 220 lbs
- Bats/Throws: Right/Right
With a powerful lower body, long stride, and elite arm speed, Kopech generates tremendous torque—allowing him to reach extraordinary fastball velocities. At one point, Kopech reportedly hit 105 mph, and in a viral off-season training video, he even touched 110 mph during a flat-ground workout, shocking fans and analysts.
Even among MLB pitchers known for power, Kopech stands apart as one of baseball’s hardest throwers of the modern era.
Michael Kopech Stats & Career Overview
Kopech’s major league journey has been a mix of impressive performances and long injury-related absences. His debut came on August 21, 2018, pitching for the Chicago White Sox. Immediately, he showed glimpses of superstar potential with a blistering fastball and sharp slider.
Career MLB Stats (as of 2025)
- Win–Loss Record: 21–33
- Career ERA: 4.14
- Strikeouts: 457
- WHIP: Varies year by year, with periods of strong dominance and occasional struggles with control
His career has been inconsistent—partially due to adapting to the major leagues, but largely because of recurring injuries.
Notable Career Highlights
- Threw an immaculate inning in 2024 with the Los Angeles Dodgers—one of the rarest pitching feats in MLB.
- Recorded multiple games with fastballs exceeding 100 mph.
- Served both as a starter and reliever, depending on team needs and health conditions.
2024–2025 Performance
In 2024, Kopech was traded mid-season from the White Sox to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he delivered moments of brilliance but also battled injuries.
In 2025, he appeared in only 14 games before knee problems, including a torn meniscus and recurring inflammation, forced him to the sidelines again. Despite posting a solid 2.45 ERA during his limited innings, his season was cut short.
Michael Kopech’s Contract History
Kopech’s contract journey reflects both his high value and the uncertainty surrounding his health.
Key Contract Details
- 2014: Signed rookie contract with the Boston Red Sox after being drafted 33rd overall.
- 2016: Traded to the Chicago White Sox in a massive deal centered around Chris Sale.
- 2023: Signed a 1-year, $2.05 million contract with the Chicago White Sox to avoid arbitration.
- 2024: Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- 2025: Became a free agent after injuries limited his season.
As of late 2025, Kopech is entering free agency, looking for a new contract and a fresh start. Teams with strong pitching development systems could take a chance on his upside, as his fastball remains one of the most dangerous weapons in baseball when he is healthy.
Michael Kopech Injury History
Injuries have played a major role in Kopech’s career trajectory. His medical setbacks include:
Major Injuries
2018 — Tommy John Surgery
A torn UCL forced him to undergo Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for all of 2019 and drastically slowing his rise.
2021–2023 — Shoulder, Hamstring & Leg Injuries
After returning to MLB, Kopech endured:
- Shoulder inflammation
- Right hamstring strain
- Knee sprains
- A cyst in the right knee requiring surgery (2023)
2025 — Torn Meniscus & Knee Inflammation
His 2025 season ended prematurely due to multiple knee issues, including a surgical procedure and repeated setbacks.
While these injuries have affected consistency and mechanics, Kopech’s velocity has remained elite, leaving many hopeful he can still return to dominant form.
Michael Kopech Wife & Relationship History
Michael Kopech’s personal life has often made headlines, especially due to his relationship with actress Vanessa Morgan, best known for her role on Riverdale.
Marriage to Vanessa Morgan
- Engaged: 2019
- Married: January 4, 2020
- Filed for Divorce: Mid-2020
Their relationship was highly publicized, partly because it coincided with Kopech’s temporary leave of absence from baseball in 2020 as well as Morgan’s pregnancy announcement.
Children with Vanessa Morgan
Despite filing for divorce, Kopech and Morgan welcomed their son:
- Son: River — born January 2021
They co-parent but are no longer married.
Later Relationships
Kopech later became connected to fitness instructor Morgan Eudy, with whom he reportedly shares two additional children:
- Son: Vander (born 2022)
- Daughter: Clover (born 2023)
While Kopech tends to keep much of his personal family life private, these details have been widely reported by sports and entertainment outlets.
Michael Kopech Children
In total, Michael Kopech is publicly known to have three children:
- River (with Vanessa Morgan) — born 2021
- Vander (with Morgan Eudy) — born 2022
- Clover (with Morgan Eudy) — born 2023
Kopech has spoken in interviews about the importance of fatherhood and how his children have reshaped his sense of purpose both on and off the field.
Michael Kopech Family Background
Kopech was raised in Texas by supportive parents who nurtured his love for sports. His father, Michael Sr., played a significant role in his early training, encouraging disciplined routines and helping him refine his pitching mechanics. His family recognized his potential early and backed his dream of becoming a professional baseball player.
Today, Kopech’s expanding family not only includes his three children but also close connections that continue to motivate his comeback attempts.
Michael Kopech Net Worth
Michael Kopech’s estimated net worth is around $5.5 million, based on public salary data and published financial estimates. His income has come primarily from:
- MLB salaries
- Performance bonuses
- Endorsements
- Brand partnerships
- Investments
Because injuries have limited his playing time, Kopech’s career earnings are lower than many players drafted in his range. However, if he signs a new MLB contract in 2026 or beyond, his net worth could grow substantially.
A Career Still Being Written
Michael Kopech’s story is one of talent, adversity, and perseverance. From teenage phenom to MLB fireballer, from Tommy John surgery to fatherhood, from viral training videos to deeply challenging injuries—Kopech’s path has been anything but ordinary.
As of 2025, Kopech stands at a crossroads. He has entered free agency with much to prove, but still possesses a rare natural gift: a fastball powerful enough to strike fear into even the league’s best hitters. His next chapter could be a breakthrough comeback or a reinvention of his pitching style, but fans continue rooting for him to fulfill the potential that once made him one of baseball’s most exciting prospects.
Time will tell whether Michael Kopech becomes one of MLB’s great redemption stories—but the passion is still there, the talent is still there, and the baseball world is watching closely.
This article is published for informational and sports research purposes on Infory.