Draft selection caps big week for Elk Grove's Copeland

Ryan Copeland received three memorable gifts leading up to his 22nd birthday today.

The former Elk Grove star left-handed pitcher helped Illinois State win its first NCAA baseball tournament game in 34 years Saturday. On Wednesday night, the die-hard Blackhawks fan watched them dramatically win their first Stanley Cup in 49 years.

But the best one of all arrived earlier on Wednesday when Copeland was selected in the 32nd round of the Major League Baseball amateur draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.

"When I saw my name on a draft blog before I got the call from their area scout, it was a pretty big surprise," said Copeland, who thought he wouldn't be chosen until the late 30s or early 40s. "I'm pretty ecstatic.

"It was nice to get it over with as their second pick today. I'm very happy to have the opportunity and I'm going to make the most of it."

Copeland was the Daily Herald Cook County All-Area captain when the Grenadiers advanced to the Class AA Elite Eight in 2006. He spent most of his Illinois State career as a starter en route to setting a school record for innings pitched with 334.

But when he struggled in his first 7 starts this year, he was moved to the bullpen by first-year head coach Mark Kingston. It led Copeland to first-team all-Missouri Valley Conference honors as he went 3-1 with 5 saves and a 2.09 ERA in 24 relief appearances.

In 43 relief innings, Copeland had 53 strikeouts and limited hitters to a .175 average. He also thinks it led to the opportunity of a lifetime.

"It sure seems it turned out to be a blessing, to be honest," said Copeland, who was 4-5 overall with a 4.63 ERA. "When they moved me to a relief pitcher I was obviously pretty disappointed.

"I took it in stride and knew it was a new role on the team and I had to do my best at that. It helped the team immensely and helped me personally and you can't ask for much more than that."

Copeland knows as a graduating senior he doesn't have any contract leverage but he said it's also not a concern. He said he expects to fly to the Cardinals' training facility in Jupiter, Fla., to determine what minor-league team he'll be assigned to for his first professional stop.

And on Wednesday he also got to talk about the future with Elk Grove coach Terry Beyna, who spent the first three of his seven minor-league seasons in the Astros organization.

"His one theme was to remember what got you there and to keep working and never let your head get down," Copeland said. "I'm going to struggle and going through those early-season struggles this year might have helped me.

"It's the opportunity of a lifetime and I have to make the most of it. There's no reason in a couple of years I can't be pitching with the Cardinals' big-league team."

The only other local player taken in the final 20 rounds Wednesday was Fremd senior third baseman Eric Paulson in the 48th round by the Cubs. Paulson, who helped the Vikings win the Mid-Suburban League title, has signed a letter of intent to play at Bradley.