Taken from an updated article on the Phillies.com website
The Phillies signed high-school right-hander Jarred Cosart, a 38th-round pick, in the hour leading up to the deadline. His fastball has been clocked as high as 94 mph.
This definitely came out of left field. I was under the impression, based on everything I’d read, that Cosart was unsignable. This is what BA had on him
As an outfielder, Jarred Cosart broke Jay Buhner’s Clear Creek High record for batting average this spring, hitting .506 to Buhner’s .480. But pro teams are more interested in Cosart as a loose, athletic 6-foot-3, 180-pound righthander. He reached 96 mph with his fastball in the fall, but he topped out at 92 this spring. He’s more of a project as a pitcher than he is as a hitter, as he has an awkward pause in the middle of his delivery that compromises his ability to throw strikes or refine his secondary pitches. He wanted top-three-rounds money to sign, which means he’ll likely attend Missouri, where he’ll play both ways.
So we’re talking somewhere around $400K or so, it would seem. It will be real interesting to see whether the Phillies want him to pitch or hit. This is a big signing on a lot of levels.
EDIT —>
PGCrosschecker’s most recent comments on him
Jarred Cosart is a 2008 OF/1B/3B/P with a 6’3”, 180 lb. frame from League City, TX who attends Clear Creek HS. Tall athletic build, outstanding raw tools, recorded highest velocity ever in a workout from the outfield, quick wrists at the plate, solid middle of the field contact, level swing plane, good raw hitting tools, great actions, solid footwork, unbelievable arm strength, quick clean arm action on the mound, balanced delivery, nice extension, sharp 11 to 5 curveball, curveball is an out pitch, nice sink and run on change-up, feel for three above average pitches, strong student, highest level prospect, potential early round draft pick.
EDIT #2 —->
I created a small chart to highlight the Phillies notable picks and how the slotting came into play. You can see it here.
The bonus figures for the first 5 rounds are estimates from BA in terms of the slots, the bonus amounts for everyone but Cosart are confirmed. The Cosart bonus is a pure guess on my part, but its based on what was given to Sampson last year, it could have been even higher. There is no real slot past the 10th round, and even bonuses from the 6th-10th rounds widely vary. This was a huge draft for the Phillies. Not only did they nab a big time arm in the 38th round, but they took a bunch of high ceiling guys in the first 10 rounds and signed all but one. Shreve is an easy guy to overlook because hes out injured, but before the injury he was considered a supplemental first round pick.
This was a huge draft for the Phillies. Huge.
Phuture Phillies 
Phuture , would you want him as a pitcher or hitter ?
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Great Great news, google this guy theres some good stuff on him. Everything says great athlete, great students, 11 to 5 curve, with good life on his fastball. The Phils come through!
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well, if the Phillies can clean up his delivery, I’d put him on the mound. We’ll see. I think when drafted he was announced as both a RHP/OF. I’m hoping that a press release indicates the preference, but they might not decide till instructs.
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Yeah, based on the snippet added to that article, it appears the Phils are (smartly) viewing him as a pitcher. Sounds like a project, but you can’t teach that kind of velocity.
Shame on Weber, but the Phils will have the chance to take him again next year if they so choose. And I guess that means Broxton is headed to FAU to play football after all? Strange twist to that saga with the article today.
So between Knapp, May, Pettibone, Rodriguez, and now Cosart, that’s a lot of young, projectable arms from this draft class. Well done, Marti Wolever & Co.
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Would u rather have Cosart over Weber? Assuming u can only have one?
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Yes. He projects better. Bigger, taller, and already throw harder.
Weber can throw strikes. His command is above-average, but his stuff, FB included, needs a lot of work. You gotta hope Cosart can learn the command aspect, but he can throw heat.
Talk about a statement. Adding two RHP that can absolutely deal in this year’s draft between Knapp/Cosart. And Pettibone, based on his projectibles, should also be in the 90s once he grows and adds some muscle.
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Probably. You can’t teach the type of arm strength Cosart has. He reportedly hit 101 mph on a throw from the outfield at one of the showcase events in the spring. His delivery needs some work. If the Phillies can straighten him out, he’s got front of the rotation potential. Weber is a completely different type of pitcher, more a control/command guy. I’d have loved either guy, I think both have big potential, but I’ll take the guy with more arm strength and less polish, because the latter can be taught.
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I’ll just say that I love the surprise. I was waiting to hear about the Weber signing and feel like I got a bonus with the signing of Cosart instead. The only bad part is that only time can tell me if my feeling is correct.
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I hope he’s not another Gose and doesn’t want to pitch.
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I know there was a heated debate about whether late signings today should affect one’s draft grade, but adding a guy like this, IMO, DEFINITELY should bump that grade upward. This guy can throw HEAT. And this organization desparately needs that.
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Good for the Phillies. I wonder what his bonus was. If it was 400K than that is a small price for a potential top rotation guy and potential top pick. It’s about time they start spending some money. Worst case scenario is that they have athletic kids with tools that they can trade later. 3 above average pitches and he throws hard. This is great! Way to roll the dice and come up big and sign him.
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A pitcher. Wonderful! I love that the focus is on pitching.
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How’s the first round pick doing?
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Hewitt 0 for 3 with 2 ks tonight.
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Great signing. *seems* like they’re making an emphasis on guys who can actually bring the heat a bit, which I like to see. I don’t mind crafty pitchers who work the corners, but missing bats is nice, as well.
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I know this will not make people happy, but Cosart might make one hell of a Gold Glove Laser Armed 3rd Baseman.
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I can’t believe that they got Cosart this is a big time prospect. Who was suppose to be unsignable, Wish they would have got broxton too they needed to get more bats in the system. but great draft on potential.
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“He reportedly hit 101 mph on a throw from the outfield”
I hate to just make bold statements about people either lying or being wrong…but whoever reported this initially is either lying or wrong. 101 and not on a mound or from the windup is superunpossible.
I agree completely with PP’s evolving take on the draft, particularly bumping it up a notch based on signing low rounds over slot. It’s impossible to know talent level precisely, but you can grade effort and intention, and this draft has to be an A in both.
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“Cosart might make one hell of a Gold Glove Laser Armed 3rd Baseman.”
What? He just got out of high school and won’t be in the bigs until 2013 at the earliest. Hopefully we’ll have found our long-term answer at 3B by then. If the kid can throw 92-96, you make him a pitcher.
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Please help me spread the word on Campaign Cheer.
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That’s 44 K’s in 91 AB’s. Makes Golson look like Tony Gwynn.
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incorrect. Being able to launch all of your momentum behind the ball its more than possible.
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combining run up momentum with a good crowhop and high ninetys is definitely possible from the outfield. I would say some of the better arms in the majors definetely can hit that. Therefore 101, while high, is possible if this kid has a cannon.
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purely a guess on my part. I think the phillies went into yesterday with enough to sign one more player. it came down in my opion to weber, broxton, law and cosart. And the one thing is I would never had thought they could bring in this kid . Great job on there part he is the highest ceiling of the four.
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Reading about cosart start on the 14 of august. He struck out thirteen batters in six innings,walked six. It said this is why missouri is high on big time prospect Jarred Cosart.The article on 15 of august never mention him not going to missouri.This signing came out of left field.
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“Being able to launch all of your momentum behind the ball its more than possible.”
“combining run up momentum with a good crowhop and high ninetys is definitely possible from the outfield.”
I stand corrected then, and renounce any phuture claims to knowledge involving mechanics. I wasn’t factoring in the momentum of running in, which is, duh, obviously important.
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Some real interesting things at play here;
1. The Phillies again put a lot of trust in their Texas area scout, 3 years in a row.
2. Cosart was scheduled to go to Missouri. In 2006 the Phillies took a prep RHP Kyle Gibson in the 36th round, and he ended up going to Missouri, where he’s now being looked at as one of the 5-10 top picks in the 2009 draft.
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They better make sure they keep their texas area scout or promote him. He must be one of the few bright spots in their scouting department. hate to lose him. sounds like he is doing a real good job.
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Just curious –
I understand why Cosart dropped as far down as he did – signability issues coupled with a strong committment. Are there other examples of guys who were drafted this late that ended up being solid major leaguers. The only one that immediately springs to mind is Mike Piazza, and IIRC his situation was different.
– Jeff
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I posted this yesterday in the deadline thread. 2008 First Round picks out of college, and where they were originally drafted
1.2 Pedro Alvarez [14th round, BOS, 2005]
1.4 Brian Matusz [4th round, LAA, 2005]
1.5 Buster Posey [50th round, LAA, 2005]
1.7 Yonder Alonso [16th round, MIN, 2005]
1.8 Gordon Beckham [undrafted in 2005]
1.9 Aaron Crow [undrafted in 2005]
1.10 Jason Castro [43rd round, BOS, 2005]
1.11 Justin Smoak [16th round, OAK, 2005]
1.12 Jemile Weeks [8th round, MIL, 2005]
1.13 Brett Wallace [42nd round, TOR, 2005]
1.17 David Cooper [undrafted in 2005]
1.18 Ike Davis [19th round, TAM, 2005]
1.19 Andrew Cashner [20th rd, ATL, 2005, 18th rd, COL, 2006, 29th rd, CHC, 2007]
1.20 Josh Fields [2nd round, ATL, 2007]
1.21 Ryan Perry [undrafted in 2005]
1.22 Reese Havens [29th round, COL, 2005]
1.23 Allan Dykstra [34th round, BOS, 2005]
1.25 Christian Friedrich [undrafted in 2005]
1.26 Dan Schelerth [8th round, OAK, 2007]
1.27 Carlos Guitierrez [undrafted in 2005]
1.29 Lonnie Chisenhall [11th round, PIT, 2006]
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PP, your expert opinion please – from edit #1 ‘early round pick’ = top three rounds?
I guess they had about 400K left to use and they used it on Cosart instead of a combo of Weber and Broxton, if they could have even gotten both for that amount.
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Yeah, that’s probably right on both counts. Early Round Pick is normally the first 3-4 rounds or so. And my guess is they narrowed the list down to Weber, Broxton and Cosart and they ended up with Cosart.
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who else have the phils taken and signed out of texas recently?
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2003 – Bourn (4th)
2004 – Golson (1st)
2005 – None
2006 – Drabek (1st)
2007 – Savery (1st)
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Workman was also from Texas, though he didn’t sign.
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pp: your points on the Phils trusting their Texas Scout is well founded. I thought of the same thing. Great call again on the Univ of Mizzou picks and recruits the Phils seem to be heavy on. Just like in football, (the eagles are drafting lots of guys from USC recently), baseball has its ebbs and flows.
UNC is a top end, pitching team (Knapp, Porciello??, ) were slated to go their.
I think it also bears pointing out, that upon Gillicks arrival, the Phils have always drafted a top end State of Washington prospect as well. (I dont know if they have always had a good feel their or not??)
Kendrick, Julian Sampson, May and Murphy off the top of my head (dont know if KK was a Gillick regime pick but i think so)
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Kendrick was drafted long before Gillick got here.
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*The Phillies again put a lot of trust in their Texas area scout, 3 years in a row.*
I hope it’s not the dubious scout Steve Cohen. His track record is Golson, Drabek and Savery. I wonder if Workman was one of his reccomendations? Might have underrated him. The Phils should stay away from the state of Texas and stick to California, where most of their success comes from.
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Well we know Drabek and Savery are busts at this point, so good point.
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yea dude’s clueless. drabek is a garbage pitcher.
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Here are some pitchers that were drafted in the later rounds straight out of high school that were generally avoided based on their commitments to colleges, but ended up signing with a major league ballclub. These are from the years 1998 to 2001.
James Shields- Round 16
Ian Snell- 26
Kason Gabbard- 29
Zach Duke- 20
Kyle Lohse- 29
Also Jake Peavy was selected in the 15th round, but that’s been brought up a few times already so i left him out.
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If you just look at the first two or three rounds of every draft over the last 10 years, you’ll see that most of the college players taken were taken 3 years prior when they were high school seniors, and in the majority of the cases, they will be later round picks.
If Ryan Weber goes back into the draft next year and somehow turns into a 2nd round pitcher, then thats the round that people will “count” if he makes an all star game. But the Phillies drafted him in the 12th round this year, and if they’d have offered $400K, he’d have gone into the books as a 12th rounder, not a 2nd rounder, or wherever he ends up going.
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Gov – don’t drink the water.
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ha i was joking
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I have to say that even if none of these guys work out, this was still a good draft because of the change in mentality from the Phillies. I’d rather throw the dice on a bunch of high-risk, high-reward guys than get future middle relievers and utitilty guys with no real value. So in 5 years, if none worked out, it sucks but if even 2-3 come close to their potential we’ll be talking about the amazing draft in 2008.
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Phuture I know this has nothing about this subject or prospects but what you think about Rollins ending his career in Philly this year he let his pride get to him. I heard that the phillies might trade him durring the winter from sportscenter. They also said that the Phillies might trade Howard because they can’t afford him. I know that they got Jason Donald and he is having a good year. Do you think the Phillies will trade Howard and Rollins? If so to who and for what?
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I dont think they will.
But thats a discussion for another place.
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They can afford howard they are just cheap. No more on phillies from me sorry but had to say the truth.
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it’s funny that your going on about how good of a draft it was and then you say that there cheap. when they just made lidge one of the highest paid closers in the game and they spent a good bit on this draft. i think those two things are steps in the right direction.
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PhuturePhillies –
Where would you expect Cosart to start? Or will he sit out the rest of this season since he’s already pitched a high school season?
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Honestly I’d rather flip Howard in the offseason and spend big money on pitching rather than paying him 15-20 mil a year.
But like PP said, discussion for another day/place.
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Harry —
Not so much cheap, as stupid in their spending. This year was a nice draft and probably a reasonable draft budget. Last two prior drafts have been cheap and last two prior international signing seasons really cheap, and this season’s international budget likely also cheap. It boggles my mind that the team can do that on its draft budget and then turn around and dump out-of-whack big FA contracts on guys like Jenkins and Eaton. On its own, the Jenkins deal is close to unfathomable, but Gillick negotiated it the year Rollins won MVP, knowing it pays a rapidly fading Jenkins more in 2009 (or 2010 if Jenkins’ option is picked up) then Rollins will make those years. I’m guessing Rollins was not feeling bright and cheery when that happened. To be overperforming your contract after basically giving a hometown discount as the new ‘team leader’ is one thing, for your supposedly frugal employers to pay a fringe OF more than you, would have to be quite another thing.
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sigh.
I expect Cosart won’t pitch this summer, unless its maybe a 1 or 2 appearance cameo. I’d imagine his performance in Instructs will determine his flight. Gut feeling is that he’ll start in Extended ST next year and then pitch in Williamsport.
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Wouldn’t williamports be high for a high school kid .He is raw from what I read.
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Potential trades are for another forum, but what about Jason Donald’s ability to replace Rollins, should his comments lead to his departure? Could Jason Donald really be an everyday major league SS in 2009? Will Donald address that question himself in a probable September callup?
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This isn’t a thread about Rollins VS Donald. This is a thread about Jarred Cosart. Take that crap elsewhere.
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cosart would be age appropriate for williamsport in 09. like PP said, it probably has a lot to do with his performance in instructional league and extended ST.
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Rocky, the NYPL usually sees top high-school pitchers who perform well in XST. For example, the Red Sox NYPL affiliate has two 18-year-old pitchers and three 19-year-olds. They also had another 2007 draftee out of high school start at Lowell and just get promoted to A-. So if Cosart performs well in XST, it would not be out of line for him to be in williamsport next year.
In other news, I am flipping pumped about this draft. Some of these guys could seriously be stars. I’m glad the Phils FO finally joined the 21st century…
In other other news, Shreve is on the williamsport roster. Must be something to do with roster space?
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Sampson was in the same situation last year. Drafted out of HS, signed late, one or two games in the GCL. He skipped Williamsport and has started all year at Lakewood. I thing Knapp will be at Lakewood next year, Cosart probably at Williamsport with Pettibone and May.
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I apollogize for putting my last comment on this page. I got a question about Webber, I am not fimallar with the MLB draft what happens to Webber and all other Phillies that got drafted and never signed to they go back to school or do they sit on the Free Agent list and can be signed by any team?
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weber a high schooler, can go to community college and enter the draft next year, OR he can go to a 4 yr college and is eligible to be drafted again after he completes his 3rd year.
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Since we dont have an Saturday update thread for all the games and this pitcher was just drafted last year..
Joe Savery with another great outing. If it wasnt for that game with 8 ER in 1 IP , his ERA would be around 3.5
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Taylor continues to rake.
And D’Arnaud with a good night at the dish against one of the better pitches he’s likely faced as a professional. Not a good night for Lakewood though as a team.
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PhuturePhillies Just wondering do you think the phillies.Pulled the offer to broxton off the table after they got cozart, I am thinking it seemed that broxton would sign. According to earlier reports.
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Lakwood Rotation next season?????…i would think Defratus Knapp Roth, Slate, Cloyd??..Ballestas?..sounds pretty solid to me..All of those guys are having pretty good seasons..Phills have been doing a great job with their younger pitchers
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except ballestas, hes been getting slammed everywhere he has gone this year, he should stay down a while
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The two I’d most like to see at Lakewood are Gose and Correa.
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Is Correa coming back from Brazil, I haven’t heard any news on him.
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I know he hasnt been great all year but Golson had a great night tonight – 4 for 5 with 2 HRs and 5RBIs
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I’m gonna take a shot in the dark and say that a fastball pitcher was on the mound against him…
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Is Carl Pavano a fastball pitcher??
Note that his 2 hrs were against relievers and not Pavano…
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BTW
BA reports Cosart signed for $550,000
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I don’t know what he throws now, but Pavano was once the super big deal and definitely had a big league fastball. He’s been around long enough, that I would certainly expect him to have some good offspeed stuff that he would know quite well how to use against Golson.
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Jarred Cosart and the Clear Creek Wildcats marched into to #1 Alvin’s Nolan Ryan Field on Wednesday and defeated the Yellow-Jackets 5-1. In the game, Cosart spun a 95 pitch 12K, No-Hitter where his 95th pitch was clocked at 96 MPH.
Congratulations to Jarred Cosart, ThePitchingPad.com / H5AB
Pitcher
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I coached Jarred in highschool. I will say this and I told Jarred this on several occasions, he has all the tools to be a dominant outfielder. He hit over .500 in one of the toughest 5A districts in the state if not the country. He has without questions the strongest arm for a position player of any young man I have ever coached. He is a pure hitter who has explosive hands and stays in the gaps. His body can carry ALOT more weight which in my mind projects to a .300 + hitter who will hit 20-25 HR with an incredible defensive skill set. He is a much safer investment as an OF then he is as a pitcher. He has all the tools to be a dominant arm, but he is very raw and unpolished off the bump. As a raw as he is on the mound, he is that polished as a position player. He’s a great kid…I love him to death and am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to coach him.
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I know that Phillies drafted him as a pitcher and I hope that works out well for him but its good to know there is a potential fall-back position if pitching doesn’t pan out…
Thanks for the breakdown.
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Its my general belief, the more I think about it, that two way guys should start in the field. If a guy like Cosart, or say Gose, can’t hit professional pitching, as long as he’s playing the outfield his raw arm strength won’t go away. Its not the worst idea to limit the mileage on young arms as well. If Cosart’s offensive package really is that good, as described, then I’d have no trouble with him starting there. I’ve softened my stance on Gose starting as an OF for the same reason, though I think, from scouting reports alone, Cosart has a more complete package offensively than Gose from the start.
I think its easier to re-learn the mechanics of pitching than it is to stop batting against top competition and then picking it up again 3 or 4 years later.
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Without having an indepth study or anything in front of me, the only guy I can think of who changed from one to the other succesfully is Ankiel, who went from pitcher to hitter.
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James McDonald, one of the Dodgers best pitching prospects, converted from outfield to the mound.
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thanks for the post CoachAb. very cool of you!
it is enjoyable to get real insight from people in the know instead of hacks like me who see some stats and make a projection 5 years out.
but my question is, are the reports about his gas that late in the game true? because if that is the case, than that seems pretty rare to me. and i kinda would rather cultivate that than take the chance on him as a hitter. i don’t care how raw he is, you can’t teach 96 mph after the 95th pitch in a game. especially as a kid. i mean, he could be throwing close to 100 when he fills out.
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Hey guys,
I first of all have to say this pains me tp post on this Phillies sight since I am a huge Cardinals fan!! I’ll get over it though haha.
In response to the question about Jarred’s performance against Alvin-yes his last pitch was at 96. He was incredible that night. He had command of all three of his pitches and competed his tail off that night–absolutely dominant. His next performance out he gave up 3 or 4 bombs and was sitting at about 88 all night. Offensively, I think the longest he went without a hit was 4 AB’s all year. This is against some of the best highschool arms in the nation guys. I have been coaching highschool baseball for ten years and I know that kinda of arm immediately is destined to be a pitcher, but I reallly don’t feel that is where Jarred’s future is. Either way, I know he will be successful. He has great parents, he is an exceptional student and a great kid. Has to mature some cause there were times when he lost his composure, but 17-18 year old kids do that sometimes.
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Lol. There are a bunch of 30+ year olds around here who sometimes lose their composure!!!
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Very cool, don’t relaly know how I missed the original comments on the 11th though.
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well, 95 pitches is a lot on a kid. so maybe that explains his next game. either way, thanks for the insight!
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No problem guys! I’ll check back here periodically throughout the year and check on Jarred’s progress. I am interested in how things shake out with him.
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Did I miss this question. does Cosart what to be a pitcher first or is he okay with being a postion players. Some kids like Gose want to be a certain postion. so I Wonder if anyone asked this kid what he preferres to do.
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Update on Jarred-
He came up to the field a couple of days ago. Looks great. He’s put on a FEW LBs and definitely has room for alot more. He said in the short season he pitched and played a position and was told they really don’t know what they want to do with him yet. As of right now, he will be doing both. I can’t remember anyone doing that in professional baseball that I can recall. Sounds like the Phillies brass are a bit confused on his future as well. PUT HIM IN RF AND LET HIM GO!!!! Hope everyone had a great holiday. Y’all take care
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