After tearing up AAA he got his first taste of the big leagues and struggled pretty badly in all aspects of the game. Went back to AAA and struggled as well, but he still has all the tools to become a solid major league every day outfielder.
Colton Cowser
Pos: Outfielder
Bats: L
Throws: R
Age (as of Jun 30th) : 23
2023 Level: AAA/Maj
Tools (current/future value)
Hit: 45/55
Game Power: 45/50
Raw Power: 50/55
Run: 55/55
Defense: 50/55
Most Likely Future Role: Starting corner outfielder
Ceiling: Starting center fielder
What we know: Started the year off dominating AAA pitching for a .330/.459/.537/.996 in 257 PAs over 56 games before getting a promotion to Baltimore. He made five starts before the All-Star break and then came back and it was like he forgot how to hit. Slashed just .089/.250/.133/.383 over his next 56 PAs before mercifully getting demoted back to Norfolk in mid-August.
Unfortunately, Cowser struggled with velocity and major league pitchers went right at him and once they found him cheating, they fooled him with offspeed pitches. He hit just .071 off fastballs and reportedly struggled with velocity in the minors as well. The hope is it’s not a bat speed issue, just that he has an overly passive approach as he works counts and gets behind too often in counts, especially at the major league level where you have to prove you can hurt them with some pop.
Perhaps due to his confidence getting shaken, he slashed just .233/.318/.459/.777 with an alarming 53 strike outs in 155 PAs upon his return to AAA.
While he didn’t have a huge platoon difference in 2023, he struggles against left-handed breaking balls at times.
Before his major league experience, Cowser showed power to all fields and the ability to work counts and draw walks. When he swings, he makes good hard contact consistently and can drive the ball gap to gap. He had a 109 MPH line drive home run to RF and several 400 foot plus home runs including a few to left center. He seems to feast on sinkers and offspeed pitches and was able to take advantage of the auto strike zone was his plus-plus knowledge of the strike zone.
Defensively Cowser has all the tools including a plus-plus arm to be a solid defensive outfielder despite some of his passiveness at the major league level. He doesn’t have the top end speed that teams would prefer in center field, so a move to LF in Camden Yards could be a natural fit. He comes in well on balls and made several highlight catches in AAA along with making one 3-star catch at the major league level. He can play center field but probably best suited for a corner outfield position.
He’s an above average runner when he’s on the move but does not have that quick first-step speed that will allow him to steal a lot of bases.
What we don’t know: For two years now the same concern has reared up, and it’s fair to have concerns over his ability to hit upper level velocity at this point. The hope is that he just needs to make some adjustments, be more aggressive early in counts, and learn to use his lower half better and that it’s not a bat speed issue. He’s a better defensive outfielder than he showed in his major league time, but if he can stick in center and be effective, it puts less strain on his bat. If he can’t hit upper level velocity, he could end up a left-handed version of Ryan McKenna.
What we think: Cowser is pretty much a finished product and now just needs to show he can hit velocity in order to fulfill his promise of being an everyday outfielder. He may never be a plus hitter against left-handers, but he should hit them well enough, especially ones without high end velocity to be an everyday player. Cowser has all the tools to be an above average every day outfielder and next year could be the year he gets his opportunity either with the Orioles or another team if he’s traded.