The Must-Have 2026 Bowman Card: Meet Dodgers Pitcher Patrick Copen

In the world of baseball card collecting, sometimes the best investments are hidden gems waiting to be discovered. This year, one such gem is Patrick Copen, a towering 6’6”, 220 lb starting pitcher in the Los Angeles Dodgers system. As the Tulsa Drillers’ ace, Copen has already made a name for himself with impressive stats, boasting a 3.31 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP, alongside 46 strikeouts in just 33 ⅔ innings. Notably, he was named the Texas League Pitcher of the Month in April, solidifying his status as a rising star.

However, it’s not just Copen’s numbers that make him compelling; it’s his remarkable story. Two seasons ago, he faced a life-altering injury when a line drive struck him in the face, resulting in the loss of vision in his right eye. Remarkably, just a year after that devastating event, he returned to the mound, continuing to excel in his performance. Although he admitted to MLB Network that he struggles with checking runners on second base, his stats tell a different story — he struck out 152 batters in 117 ⅔ innings last year, showcasing his elite strikeout ability.

Despite these accolades and his inspiring comeback, Copen remains relatively under the radar in the card collecting community, with few collectors aware of his potential. While some analysts, like Keith Law, project him as a future reliever and note the Dodgers’ crowded rotation, Copen’s trajectory could change with a trade or an opportunity to shine in a different role. For collectors, this means that his cards are still available at reasonable prices, making now the perfect time to invest.

In the ever-evolving landscape of sports cards, Copen’s upcoming Bowman Draft card is one to watch. With near-elite minor league stats and a backstory that rivals the most dramatic narratives in sports, he could soon become a sought-after name among collectors. As the baseball season unfolds, keep an eye on this promising pitcher — he might just be the next big thing.

Switching gears, I recently revisited a classic in the card world: the 1994 Stadium Club card of Jose Rijo. Discovered during one of my treasure hunts, this card reminded me of Rijo’s tumultuous career, which included five seasons lost to injuries. Yet, his resilience led to a remarkable comeback, making his card a nostalgic piece of baseball history.

On a personal note, my recent experience with card grading has been less than stellar. I submitted two cards to GameStop — a Lauren Betts autographed rookie and a Trey Lance autographed rookie — and was disheartened to find both graded as 6s. Despite my confidence in their condition, it appears I chose the wrong grading service. Now, I’m left to explore other options like TAG, CSG, or SGC, which have provided more satisfying experiences in the past. And as a final note, GameStop still carries an odd smell, and their noon opening hours are a logistical challenge for any early birds!

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.