#13 - OF Matt Koperniak
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 45 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40+
Background:
Koperniak went undrafted in the shortened five-round 2020 MLB Draft, likely due to circumstances beyond his control. At the time, he had already carved out a prolific career at Division III Trinity College, slashing .374/.464/.587 over four seasons while striking out just 34 times in 106 games. His elite bat-to-ball skills were evident, and he had committed to transferring to Kansas State for his final year of eligibility to further raise his draft stock. However, when the Cardinals came calling with an undrafted free agent offer, he opted to forgo his final season and turn pro. Since then, all Koperniak has done is hit—and hit consistently.
Scouting Report:
Koperniak’s game is rooted in a strong hit tool, and that has remained his most consistent asset since entering pro ball. He possesses a quick, level swing with natural opposite-field tendencies. But the most notable development in his professional career came during the 2023–2024 offseason, when he overhauled his training to focus on bat speed and impact.
The results were immediate: his hard-hit rate jumped from 32.5% to 43.0%, and his barrel rate nearly doubled from 4.1% to 6.8%. Koperniak transformed from a hitter who probably didn't have enough raw juice to stick on a MLB roster, to being added to the Cardinals 40-man just a short year later.
Koperniak’s newfound ability to drive the ball more consistently has helped him become a more well-rounded offesnive threat. Especially considering his oppo approach, Koperniak's improved bat speed helped him find considerably more success on his opposite field flyballs. He’ll probably never be an above-average power bat, but there’s now enough pop in the bat to profile as a potential league-average offensive contributor in a corner outfield role.
From a plate discipline standpoint, Koperniak’s approach is below-average. He’s decently aggressive on strikes, but he chases at a 32% rate. His swing decisions could certainly use improvement for him to fulfill his upside.
Defensively, Koperniak is best suited for a corner outfield spot, but he has the athleticism and instincts to handle center field in a pinch. He’s a plus runner—registering sprint speeds typically around 29 ft/sec—with solid overall explosiveness. I expect him to provide above-average range in a corner though his arm is fringe-average at best. He profiles as the type of outfielder who won’t wow with anything but does everything well enough to have value on a big-league roster, ideally in a reserve role.
Future:
Matt Koperniak has steadily climbed the ladder and positioned himself on the doorstep of the major leagues. His improved batted-ball metrics and consistent contact profile give him a legitimate shot to carve out a role as a fourth outfielder, and if he continues to hit the way he did in 2024, there’s a path to something more. While he lacks the raw tools of a typical everyday corner outfielder, the well-rounded skill set, improved power, and ability to play all three outfield spots could make him a valuable bench contributor with starting upside if the bat can translate well enough to the next level.
