His stuff is sick, has control issues that have crept up, really can have a hard time controlling his breaking ball. If he gains command, he's gonna be a stud. It's a big if though.
Control issues are a huge concern. For example, that Gustave kid in GCL throws about 100 mph, but still gets torched because of his lack of control. Potential is def there though.
The control issues haven't hurt him in the minors as far as giving up runs, but it's killed his pitch counts at times. Two (related) things he's been fantastic at are 1) getting ground ball outs, and 2) keeping the ball in the ballpark. Even though it may take him a ton of pitches to get guys out, he rarely seems to give up any extra base hits. I really worry about him being able to consistently give us more than 4-5 innings as a rotation pitcher, but if that doesn't work out he's going to profile really well at the back end of the bullpen.
He's very vocal about hating Dallas. He's my favorite player in the system. It's possible those two items are related.
If only he could somehow turn down a $30MM more lucurative contract from the Dodgers... You mentioned '93... somewhat random but is 1980 the only year in which all three teams made the playoffs? I believe it is. The Oilers did not in '86; the Astros did not between 1987-1993; and of course the Oilers were gone '97-'01; and the Texans were no good '02-'05 (although '04 was pretty fun). I think '80 is it. Hard to believe...
Has there been a significant increase in his ground ball rate this year? If so, that really would be key. Control issues really haven't hurt him, but you have to wonder if it will start being taken advantage of more in the bigs. In the end, you have to get him up and start the transition period. I'd expect struggles. Maybe even a couple years worth. However, with his stuff, he could end up like Scherzer where one year it all just clicks.
Scherzer is like 1% of what happens. Plus, that guys delivery is so deceptive, he is literally throwing a realistic equivalent to a 105mph.
This is from a John Sickels article back in May: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2013...t-of-the-day-jarred-cosart-rhp-houston-astros
I wouldn't expect the same numbers. Even in the minors, Scherzer's stuff was clearly more dominant than Cosart's. I only used him for comparison since he was the most prominent example of a pitcher turning that corner after a number of years in the majors. Thanks for that info. Why he was able to lower his ERA despite the high WHIP makes a lot more sense now.
"ometimes the results don’t match how we feel about his performance, because we ask him to work on certain things — asking him to work on his changeup, work on his offspeed pitches to complement what we know is a pretty electric fastball. And he’s been doing that and the way we track results is not necessarily hits or runs, it’s more about what the coaches are saying and how we’re evaluating his performance. And he’s done well and he’s done everything we asked him to do." -- Jeff Luhnow on Cosart http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastro...-on-jarred-cosart-a-pretty-electric-fastball/ This holds true for every minor league player in the history of baseball, something we should all remember when playing armchair GM.
There was a whole story about him on the Sports cover of the Chron today. I'm excited to see Cosart start as he's a family friend of mine but I wish his first start was at Minute Maid so I could be there. Talked to his dad this week and they said they were stunned and still in shock, I can imagine it's a wonderful feeling seeing your son get to pitch for the hometown MLB team. Story from the Chron: Spoiler ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Locking in the five young men who will comprise the Astros' starting rotation in 2015 is almost as difficult in July 2013 as predicting when the rebuilding club will again be a better-than-.500 team. But if Tampa Bay ace David Price is even somewhat matched through five-plus innings Friday and the Astros place a baseball in the right hand of a League City native every five days during the second half of the season, one of the key pieces of the club's uncertain future could become clear. Since he was a kid, Jarred Cosart has wanted to be an Astro. Now, he officially is. The 23-year-old who attended Clear Creek High School is scheduled to face Price, the 2012 American League Cy Young winner, in his major league debut at Tropicana Field as the struggling Astros begin their final series before the All-Star break. The organization has yet to decide whether Cosart's appearance will be a spot start with a quick return to Class AAA Oklahoma City or the beginning of something real and lasting for a starless big league club that's 4-13 over its last 17 games and dragging the bottom of Major League Baseball's floor for the third consecutive season. But this the Astros do know: Cosart can bring the proverbial heat. The 6-3, 180-pound rookie possesses some of the best stuff and one of the liveliest arms in the organization. A moving fastball that can reach triple digits contains enough sink to regularly produce ground balls. His curveball was altered at Oklahoma City under the tutelage of pitching coach Steve Webber, who shortened the pitch's path to make it less hittable and more big league ready. Cosart's changeup has become increasingly deceptive. And a fiery, passionate young hurler who went 7-4 with a 3.29 ERA during 18 appearances (17 starts) for the RedHawks has the self-assuredness and cockiness that often go along with extended innings and sawed-off bats in the pros. 'Bright lights' await "He clearly has the arm. And you never know how someone's going to respond under the bright lights of the major leagues until they get there," Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "And there were some question marks around how (Paul) Clemens was going to respond, and he responded pretty favorably. And so we just don't know. "The reports from Triple-A have been positive, and he's got a good attitude, and he's been doing everything we've been asking him to do. So we're optimistic that's going to lead to a very good outcome at the big league level." If Cosart can handle the hitters and the lights, he'll likely stick. The Astros' rotation is improved but nowhere near established, and it still ranks last in ERA (4.89). Philip Humber and Brad Peacock have come and gone. Former No. 2 starter Lucas Harrell was recently banished to the bullpen. The All-Star break represents a philosophical divide for the Astros, with trades expected before the July 31 deadline, a mix-and-match roster due for another shake-up, and the promotion of top prospects about to begin. "He's on the cusp of being ready to be a major league starter for the Houston Astros, and this is his first opportunity to show us what he can do," Luhnow said. "I don't think Cosart will be the only player making his major league debut with us the rest of the summer. So I'm very excited to see these guys come up as the opportunity presents itself and they prove to be ready." Showing control is key Cosart's two biggest tests will be directly tied to his control. First, he must command the strike zone. The righty has posted a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.86 or worse the last three seasons, and he struggled with backward counts and overthrowing during spring training. The second control-related issue is even bigger. Cosart has some Clemens and Harrell in him. Several teammates openly discussed Cosart's mental focus late Wednesday while praising his flashy right arm and repertoire. Webber acknowledged his former pitcher's mental challenges. But it was Astros pitching coach Doug Brocail who best captured the hurdle Cosart must consistently leap over while facing highly skilled big league hitters who will wait, watch, adjust and attack - and start the whole routine over again the next time they enter the box. Cosart could link up with top young Astros pitching prospects including Mark Appel, Mike Foltynewicz, Asher Wojciechowski and Lance McCullers Jr. in the future. The League City kid has the stuff to last. Now, he must prove he has the mind to compete. "I talked to the (Oklahoma City) coaches the other day. He still has a lot to learn," Brocail said. "More so, from what I've been told, physically he's ready. … I'm looking forward to seeing what the kid has. I know his arm's incredible. But I want what's above the shoulders to go with it."
