Michael Kopech Signs With New Agent

White Sox pitcher Micheal Kopech has signed with new representation. On Tuesday MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported that Kopech had hired the Boras Corporation to represent him. 

Kopech was previously represented by Headline Sports Group after leaving CAA in 2023. The 28-year-old is making $3 million this season after going through arbitration for the first time over the offseason. He made the switch to Headline Sports Group before heading into arbitration. He will be arbitration-eligible once again in 2025 before becoming a free agent in 2026. 

His new agent Scott Boras represents several high-profile athletes across the MLB and has earned a reputation for being a shrewd operator. He has secured multiple record-breaking contracts for his clients. One of his most recent triumphs included securing Bryce Harper's 13-year $330 million contract with the Phillies. Other notable clients include Corey Seager, Juan Soto, Gerrit Cole, Max Scherzer, Jose Altuve, and Cody Bellinger.

Things have not gone well for Kopech this season. On Sunday he blew his fifth save of the season after serving up a three-run walk-off homer to Jake Burger in Miami. The blown save raised his ERA to 5.45 on the season. 

While the overall numbers have been ugly on the surface for Kopech, there are some signs that he can be an effective big-league pitcher moving forward. Opponents expected batting average against him is just  .212. He also owns a 29.7% strikeout rate which ranks in the MLB’s 90th percentile. His high strikeout numbers are thanks to an explosive fastball that averages nearly 99 mph. 

Kopech’s biggest issue out of the bullpen has been that he is a one-trick pony. Often hitters sit on his fastball because he has been unable to successfully throw his offspeed pitches. It was something he acknowledged over the weekend. 

Another issue has been Kopech’s control. His 13.1% walk rate is one of the worst in baseball. Allowing free passes at that rate is a recipe for disaster in high-leverage situations. That was the case on Sunday when he issued a leadoff walk-to Vidal Bruján that jumpstarted the Marlins rally. 

“I need to mix my pitches and not just rely on the fastball so much. It’s difficult to do that when I fall behind and my best pitch is my fastball. I have to get back in the count,” Kopech told reporters after the 7-4 loss. 

With a declining trade value, the hard-throwing right-hander will likely be wearing a White Sox uniform once again next season. Having Boras in his camp should help Koepch get as much as he can in arbitration and then set himself up to maximize his value when he hits the open market in 2026. However, to do so Kopech is going to have to start producing better results.