Like every other Rhode Island baseball player in professional baseball, Addison Kopack has a great story. A Cumberland High School standout, a coveted roster spot on the University of Rhode Island baseball team, working through a non-season in 2020 due to Covid, summer baseball for the Mystic Schooners of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, a supportive family, great player on and off the field – great kid. Kopack was a Swiss Army Knife type player for the URI Rams Baseball Club – he pitched, caught, played shortstop, played the outfield. I asked his father Dave one time at a URI baseball game, “Addison plays shortstop?” Dave laughed and said he has tried them all, working on being a complete player defensively. I watched Addison play for several years – at URI, at Cardines Field in the 2021 NECBL All-Star game, in Mystic for the Schooners (NECBL), at Old Mountain Field vs. my hometown Ocean State Waves(NECBL). At each field he was one of, if not the, best players on the field at any given time.

So, I was not at all surprised when the San Diego Padres signed Addison to a free agent professional contract last summer (2023), following his Redshirt Junior season at URI. Kopack went into the Padres’ minor league system and played for several teams, including the Fort Wayne TinCaps. In 2024, Addison was back in Peoria, Arizona for Padres Spring Training and stayed in Peoria to start his season in the Arizona Complex League. In late June, Addison was promoted back to Fort Wayne to play for the TinCaps. Then, another call up for Addison, this time to the AAA Affiliate of the San Diego Padres, the El Paso Chihuahuas. Very exciting news for this Rhode Island superstar baseball talent!!!

Dave and I have stayed in contact, even with my relocating to Virginia in 2023. I received a message last night from Dave with some photos and news that I’d like to share with you. “Addison got an AB bottom 9th and his 1st hit in AAA the other night!” Dave sent me a few photos to check out of Addison on the field, running the bases, at bat, then went on. “He is having the time of his life. They flew to Oklahoma City today for a 6 game series with the OKC Dodgers. Xander Bogaerts is rehabbing with the Chihuahuas. After the game, XB came up to Addison’s locker and invited him out for a post game snack. Crazy stuff!”

Please pay special attention to the amazing work of photographer Jorge Salgado of Salgado Photo. All of the El Paso game photos were taken by Jorge and they are just stunning quality wise. Great stuff, Jorge!!! Please note: These photos are made possible through his eyes and talent and they are his photos expressly and are being used with his permission. Thank you Jorge for taking these incredible photos and allowing me to share them!

So, from Cumberland to Kingston, from Mystic to Peoria, Fort Wayne to El Paso – Addison Kopack continues to make a name for himself in the baseball world. Addison is currently with the El Paso Chihuahuas, the AAA Affiliate of the San Diego Padres. The roster sheet has him as a Catcher, even though his bio shows him as a 3rd Baseman. Catcher, 3rd Base, Shortstop, Pitcher – heck throw Addison wherever you want to on the field, he is more than capable of filling in wherever you need him. Good luck Addison and congratulations on your first AAA base hit! What a moment for you and your family.

And huge thanks to my friend and fellow baseball journeyman, Dave Kopack. Your baseball knowledge is extraordinary and your love of the game is rivaled by few. Thanks for staying in contact and filling me in on Addison’s success. All the best Dave to you and your family in this very exciting time watching Addison perform at such a high level.

Many thanks to Jorge Salgado of Salgado Photo for the amazing game photos of Addison Kopack. You can see more of Jorge’s work at http://www.salgadophoto.com.