The Cubs have effectively decided that their Moneyball tactic is going to be having the best medical scouting department in the world, apparently.

Another big talent who fell due to injury issues — he made just one start in his first two collegiate seasons due to back and leg injuries — Coppola posted an 8.75 ERA in eight starts (23 2/3 innings) in 2024. He shook the rust off this year, though, authoring a 2.53 ERA in seven starts (21 1/3 innings). He did miss two months with an undisclosed upper-body injury.

Ultimately, this is just a bet on their ability to evaluate medical records. He threw less than 50 innings in college. As a 6'8" lefty, they may be thinking they can turn him into their next Luke Little.