2025 Most Viewed Profiles: No. 25 LHP/1B RJ Cope

RJ Cope LHP / 1B / Georgia Premier Academy, GA / 2026

The amount of quality pitching performances this fall has been impressive, and the Vanderbilt commit added to that his staggering performance on Saturday. Cope would generate 15 whiffs in 50 pitches en route to 8 strikeouts over 3.0 IP. An imposing presence on the bump at 6-foot-9, 245-pounds, Cope generates a ton of deception from a lower slot with power and intent behind every pitch. The LHP shows two fastballs with the four-seam holding 92-94 throughout, touching 95 and showing advanced command throughout the zone. Was able to land early and often both called strikes and whiffs. Cope would go to the two-seam late in the outing, working 89-91 with hard arm-side run that would look unhittable to RHH at times, and could be a future above-average or better offering. Slider continues to develop, showing good tilt with late sweep at 83-85 that created some ugly swings when landed and has a chance to be a weapon down the road, especially in tough L/L matchups. Changeup rounds out the mix as a present put-away pitch right now at 82-84. Working out of the same fastball tunnel with late fade, Cope has the feel to land in any situation and is extremely hard to pick up out of the hand. It’s an advanced four pitch mix with command and one of the durable frames you'll see that makes Cope one of most intriguing LHP in the entire 2026 class.