His MLB.com scouting report. https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/astros/zach-cole-805904 Scouting grades: Hit: 35 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 70 | Field: 60 | Overall: 40 Cole barely played in his first two years at Ball State before getting off to a slow start in his third in 2022, then went on to hit .402/.500/.841 in the final two months of the season. That hot streak got him selected in the 10th round, and he has showcased some of the best athleticism in the Astros system since signing for a below-slot $97,500. A lingering hamstring injury ruined his 2024 season, when he slashed .214/.302/.408 with 11 homers and 15 steals in 70 Double-A games. Cole creates at least plus raw power with a combination of bat speed, strength and the loft in his left-handed swing, and he can drive the ball out of the park from foul line to foul line. But his approach is scary because he'll get overly aggressive at times, swinging through pitches in the zone and too passive at others, letting offerings he should mash instead pass by for strikes. His 38 percent strikeout rate last year lifted his career mark to 33 percent, and his continuing difficulties with southpaws (.491 OPS, 48 percent K rate in 2024) make him look like a platoon player. If he can make consistent contact, Cole has the tools to be a star. He has plus speed and basestealing savvy, giving him legitimate 30-30 upside. After playing mostly left field at Ball State, he has become a quality defender in center as a pro. He also comes with double-plus arm strength and has notched 22 assists in 177 career starts in the outfield. ----- Very intriguing... I would platoon him with Cam for groundball pitchers and start him in left for all fly ball pitchers to maximize Yordan/Altuve...
This is where precision rule knowledge is important because a trade is treated differently than a call up from withing your own organization. I am certain you cannot trade for a player after the deadline. Not quite as sure about a Free Agent who was not on another team at the deadline and I'm thinking a player in your organization can still become eligible. But while I know there are differences, I don't know with sufficient precision what those are beyond uncertainty. So this is the uncertain suspicion that a player withing your organization (but not on the 40 man roster) at the deadline can be eligible, but perhaps only under special circumstances.
"Well, you know, he's played every day since being called up. Plus, he's carried such a heavy load that I wanted to get him off his feet so he's ready to go for these final games."
He's like a modern day Billy Beane. We think Billy has all the tools to be a successful big league ball player.
Between Melton, Matthews, Cole, Smith, Leon etc… one of these toolsy power/speed guys with suspect hit tool needs to work out. Right now with Cole I suspect there’s an 80% chance he ends up like Jose Siri, 10% chance he’s a solid player, and 10% chance he’s a star. I believe that ball hr he hit last night was the second highest exit velocity we’ve had all season, all he needs to do to be great is make contact consistently. But that’s a big if considering the minor league and historic strikeout rate
Finally some pure joy with Astros game. Team has looked so lifeless and even playing meaningful games they seem to just want to get the season over with quickly. How Cole also went the other way for 2nd hit, hard to see how he has struck out so much. Wonderful start overall . Im pretty sure Espada was't presented option to not play him. We are desperate and trying to find some pulse from anywhere/anybody. Elder SP tomorrow is 100% no stuff guy. If we just lay off some balls it's gonna be another 10 run game. Looking at Murray throwing without effort 97mph and also Blublaugh outings, so silly that we are turning to Kimbrel's ghost or trying yo get something out of Lance. Im ok next season to give anybody a chance, release who needs releasing and maybe find couple of gems if lucky. I just wanna watch guys try to play smart baseball with effort and enjoy the game. For that we prob. would need new manager. I want Espada out but that to happen Astros would have to miss playoffs so we are stuck with him.
