Derek Hacopian

Derek Avac Hacopian

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 200 lb.
• School University of Maryland

• Born January 1, 1970

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Derek Hacopian was one of the top hitters as a senior in NCAA Division I then played five years in the minors.

In 1992, Hacopian batted .490/~.607/.943 as a senior for the University of Maryland. He was second in NCAA Division I in average, .0004 behind Mike Smith and .002 ahead of #3 Dan Kopriva. He tied for 8th in Division I in hits (95), tied Bill Selby for 4th in total bases (183), tied Selby, Kopriva and two others for 4th in home runs (23) and tied Kopriva for 4th in RBI (83). He was chosen as a Collegiate Baseball All-American outfielder and was also picked by the ABCA as a first-team All-American outfielder. Baseball America picked him as a second-team DH. He was the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year, beating out players such as Jason Varitek and Nomar Garciaparra. He was only picked in the 23rd round of the 1992 amateur draft, taken by the Cleveland Indians.

Hacopian split his first pro season between the Watertown Indians (6 for 26, 3 BB, 2B, 10 K) and the Bristol Tigers (.324/~.447/.547). He was 6th in the Appalachian League in average and was picked to the league All-Star team as an outfielder.

In 1993, Derek was an effective DH and OF for the Columbus RedStixx, hitting .315/~.395/.537 and leading the team in average, hits (143), doubles (29), homers (24) and RBI (82). He led the South Atlantic League in slugging percentage and homers and tied D.J. Boston for third in average. He made the league All-Star team as an outfielder.

Hacopian only played 21 games in 1994, presumably due to injury, hitting .300/.380/.429 for the Kinston Indians. In 1995, Hacopian moved to the Milwaukee Brewers system and helped the Beloit Snappers win the Midwest League title. He hit .324/~.400/.552 with 23 home runs and 92 RBI. He was second to Jesse Ibarra for the league lead in homers, was 5th in average and third in RBI. He made the league All-Star team at DH.

Hacopian wrapped up in 1996, batting .268/~.324/.382 in 43 games for the West Palm Beach Expos.

Sources: 1993-1997 Baseball Almanacs, 1995 Baseball Guide