Colton Cowser, Photo via GoBearKats.com
With the MLB Amateur Draft finally peeking around the corner this Sunday, we’ve taken some in-depth looks at both arms and bats from the collegiate ranks, all of whom have been mocked to Mets with the 10th overall selection. This time, we’re going to stay with that train of thought and look at Sam Houston State center fielder, Colton Cowser.
I guess the logical place to begin with Cowser is, well, where the heck did this guy come from?
No, the Sam Houston State Bearkats aren’t exactly household names in the College World Series or anything, but once in a while, a gem of a player will turn up at a small school, and make himself get noticed, regardless. And that’s exactly what the 6’3″ 195 lb. left-handed hitting outfielder from the Houston, TX area did for himself after going undrafted and lightly scouted on the competitive high school circuit in that area.
One thing Cowser did in the Southland conference was perform, hitting .361 as a freshman in 2019 and following that up with a terrific spring this year. Not only did Cowser hit .374 over the full season and get on base in nearly half of his at-bats, but he slugged .680, stroking 16 home runs.
The performance against the slight competition definitely got Cowser noticed, but a prospect better back that up with some strong in-person looks from scouts if he’s going to be mentioned where Cowser is, the very top of the 1st round of the draft.
And the first thing that has scouts feeling confident enough in Cowser’s performance translating against better competition on up the professional ladder is his efficient swing, particularly his quick hands and ability to consistently barrel the ball.
I’ve seen his lanky frame and patient approach draw a comparison to Brandon Nimmo, and personally, the way his quick hands work in the box and the balance and fluidity of his swing reminds me of John Olerud. If we’re setting up a profile whose strengths are using an all-fields approach, working deep into counts, and line-drive gap-power that can grow into pull-side over the fence pop, then I think we’re on the right track with Cowser.
On the defensive side of the ball, Cowser seems to have gone from having his doubters about whether he could stick in center field, to convincing the majority of the industry that he has both the raw speed and instincts to play there everyday at the next level.
Put the package together, and you can see why the 21-year old’s name has shot up draft boards all spring: a true center fielder with a good-sized frame, a pure hit tool and can potentially project for solid-average power is about as premium as it gets.
The only real lingering question that Cowser never got the opportunity to answer is, could he hit big-time pitching? We’ll never know what he would have done against the Ty Maddens and Kumar Rockers of the world, but that’s the million dollar question Mets scouts and scouting directors are pondering, as they figure where to place Cowser on their big board.
Any time a scouting team makes a pick this high in the draft, it’s a high-stakes feat. But to potentially back away from players who performed in the SEC and ACC for a guy who did his thing at Sam Houston State? You better hope the player can back it up.
