Continuing our Looking Ahead series, though which we look at some of the players that could well be BlueClaws during the 2010 season (remember, we won’t know the official roster until around April 3rd but it’s still fun to take a look). Today, Jarred Cosart, a right-handed pitcher who was ranked 8th in the system by Baseball America this year.
Previously: Jiwan James, Sebastian Valle
Cosart was drafted in the 38th round in 2008 and did not sign with the Phillies until late in the process, for $550k and out of a commitment to Missouri. Because of the late signing, he did not pitch in 2008 and went 2-2, 2.22 in 2009 with the GCL Phillies. Cosart will not turn 20 until May 25th, and is considered a power right-handed arm, like Trevor May and Jason Knapp (since traded to the Indians).
This is from Frank Piliere, a former scout who now writes for MLB Fanouse:
Few pitchers in the low levels of their system excite the Phillies’ player development staff as much as Cosart. The 19-year-old right-hander had an impressive 2009 campaign in the GCL, but it was the stuff he showed in his strong performance that has the organization intrigued. Cosart lived around 91-94 mph with the fastball, touching 95. He also mixed in a curveball at 74-79 mph, as well as an occasional changeup. For a young man with limited experience, his feel for three pitches was interesting to watch.
With a strong frame and some room to grow, Cosart will be one of the most fascinating young arms to watch in the Philadelphia organization. He’s got a lot to learn about location and how to mix his pitches, but the big arm and secondary pitches are in place. The way his raw stuff grades out, this is a pitcher with front-line starter-type ability.
John Manuel of Baseball America told us:
He probably has the best pure arm in the system, free, easy and powerful.
He’s around 92-94 with the fastball and has an overhand 11-5 curveball in the mid-70s from the different reports, but we’ve never seen him pitch, of course. But we’re looking forward to.
You can always take a few guesses as to who will be on any minor league team, and it’s a little bit harder at the lower levels. But there are always a few that just seem like locks, and I would think Cosart/Lakewood fits there.
We caught up with John Manuel of Baseball America earlier for a Q&A in regards to the top ten Phillies prospect rankings (
Q: He was in Lo-A 18 months ago, but he’s 24 now and can obviously hit. How close is Michael Taylor to the big leagues (considering he’s got a tough OF to crack)?
Baseball America has released their top ten Phillies prospect list, and John Manuel has done a bang-up job. Pretty much saw it as we did (