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Jharel Cotton

Born: 01/19/1992 (Age: 22)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 5' 11" Weight: 200
Mechanics
5'11/195 is close to accurate;maybe 5'10; repeatable; athletic delivery; 3/4 slot; physically mature; quick arm action; plus arm strength; thick and muscular legs drive towards the plate; drop and drive delivery; pitches can flatten out; tempo can get a little off during his wind-up; can rush; showed a slide step; 1.08 to the plate; 1.21-1.28 from the stretch; solid PFP.
Evaluator Chris Rodriguez
Report Date 06/21/2014
Affiliate Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (High A, Dodgers)
Dates Seen 6/19/14
OFP 45
MLB ETA 2016
Video No
Pitch Type Future Grade Sitting Velocity Peak Velocity Report
FB 60 89-94 95 Above-average velocity; mostly 90-93; has some tail; command was off in the 1st (allowed HR on middle-middle FB); then came back painting with 94 & 95; liked his demeanor on the mound; nice cutter at 86-87 mph; good horizontal slice; good overall command profile; held velocity; 89-93 in the 7th inning; future 60 pitch with improved command
CB 45 74 75 Soft pitch at present; comes out of his hand well and with good shape (11-5), but not much bite; can throw it for strikes; pitches in the dirt were easy takes; wasn't a big part of his arsenal late in the game; slowed delivery a little; would like to see tighter break/higher velocity; fringe-average pitch going forward.
CH 60 78-80 81 Best pitch in his arsenal; good 2-seam sink/fade; impressive arm speed; deceptive; above average command; kept it down in the zone for the most of the game; comfort to throw pitch in any count; got multiple strikeouts with it; used it as his put-away pitch.
Overall

I saw Cotton last year as a reliever and wasn't too impressed with the stuff, granted it was only a one inning burst, but this was a different pitcher. He commanded the fastball the majority of the game and held his velocity throughout. Because of his size and drop and drive mechanics, he loses plane from his fastball which can be a problem if the pitches are up in the zone. On this occasion, he made few mistakes and varied his pitch sequence well. The changeup is an above-average offering and is his ticket to the major leagues, in my opinion. Unfortunately, his profile is limited due to a below-average curveball that doesn't have much bite at present and much projection in the future. I can see a middle reliever role if it all clicks, going with his plus two pitch mix exclusively.

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