Mike Koplove

Michael Paul Koplove (; born August 30, 1976) is an American professional baseball scout and former pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cleveland Indians.

A sidearm relief pitcher, Koplove threw with a different arm angle than most pitchers. His arm angle was perpendicular to his body, which allowed his fastball to sink and his curveball and slider to stay on the same plane, making it appear to be a fastball. He won a bronze medal with Team USA in the 2008 Olympics.

Early life

Koplove was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the son of Steve (an attorney) and Lorraine Milito, and is half Jewish and half Christian. He is the older brother of Joey Criniti and minor league and Team Israel pitcher Kenny Koplove, who is 17 years younger. He also has three sisters; named Andrea and Erica and Franca. from which he graduated in 1995. After high school Koplove first attended Northwestern University for two years where he played shortstop and pitched, before transferring to the University of Delaware prior to his junior year. In 1997, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham A's of the Cape Cod Baseball League. During his junior season at the University of Delaware, he helped lead the team to the 1998 America East Championship and the NCAA Atlantic II Regional. He was voted an Academic All American. but was not on the World Series roster.

In , Koplove was 6–1 with a 3.36 ERA in 55 games, giving up only 47 hits in 61.2 innings (holding batters to a .213 batting average and a .276 slugging percentage; with men on base he was even stingier – .207/.228). In games that were late and close, he held batters to a .188 batting average.

In , Koplove was 3–0 with a 2.14 ERA in 31 games. With runners in scoring position, he held batters to a .100 batting average, and a .133 slugging percentage, and he held the first batters he faced to a .074 batting average.

In 2004, Koplove set career highs in appearances (76), innings pitched (86.2), strikeouts (55), and saves (2), but his ERA was at 4.05.

Cleveland Indians (2007) In March 2007, the Cleveland Indians agreed to terms with Koplove on a minor league contract. On May 23, the team called him up from the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. He was 2–0 with 3 saves and a 1.00 ERA in 17 relief appearances (18 innings, 15 hits, 2 earned runs, 8 walks, 14 strikeouts). He limited batters to a .224 average and a .111 average with runners in scoring position. In , with the Buffalo Bisons he was 4–2 with 14 saves and a 2.50 ERA in 51 relief appearances.

Los Angeles Dodgers organization (2008) After becoming a minor league free agent following the conclusion of the 2007 season, Koplove signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 12, 2007. He pitched the entire year for the Dodgers Triple-A affiliate, the Las Vegas 51s. He was the only American pitcher not to give up a hit; he pitched innings in four appearances, and struck out six.

Philadelphia Phillies organization (2009) Koplove was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies to a minor league contract after the 2008 season, and was invited to spring training as a non-roster invitee. On June 1, 2009, Koplove exercised a clause in his contract that stated if he was not on the major league roster by June 1, he would be granted his outright release.

Pittsburgh Pirates organization (2009) On June 6, 2009, Koplove signed a minor league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and was assigned to the Indianapolis Indians, also in the International League.

Seattle Mariners organization (2009–10) On August 4, 2009, the Pirates traded Koplove to the Seattle Mariners for minor league shortstop Deybis Benitez. He was granted free agency in November 2009. He then joined the Philadelphia Phillies as a special assignment scout before the 2018 season.