| Player: Cole Hertzler | |||||||||||
| Org: Houston Astros | Highest Level: Dobule A | Position(s): RHP | |||||||||
| Height: 6’4″ | Weight: 235 lbs. | Bats: Right | Throws: Right | ||||||||
| Summary: Hertzler is a large, athletic right-hander who started as a position player and pitcher before committing to the mound, and he’s a former high school teammate of Trey Yesavage. He showed early on that he had what it takes to be a back-end starter, with a sturdy frame, four pitches, and improving control. The fastball sits 92-94 and reaches 97, with carry from a high arm slot and some arm-side movement. The changeup is the best of his pitches. He throws it in the low 80s, it fades hard to the arm side, and it gets swings and misses. A tight slider in the mid-80s, delivered from a release close to the fastball’s, is the better of his breaking balls, and the curveball is a slower, rounder alternative. He can throw all four for strikes, and the command of the full group stands out more than any one pitch. His command is fringy at present, and the control could become average. An injury cost him much of a season, and he’s pitched very little as a pro, so proving he can handle a starter’s innings is the next test. His delivery takes some effort, and he could end up in relief if the breaking pitches and the command don’t sharpen. When he’s been healthy, he’s pitched as well as nearly any starter in the system. He projects as a back-end starter, with the fastball, a changeup that misses bats, and a build that can handle the work. Better breaking balls and sharper command would solidify the role. | |||||||||||
Shaun Kernahan is the founder and lead writer of Three Quarter Slot, where he blends scouting precision with a storyteller’s eye for the human side of the game. Based in Parker, Colorado, he has covered baseball prospects at every level since 2013, delivering in-depth evaluations, draft analysis, and developmental insight. Over the years, he has built Three Quarter Slot into a trusted home for thoughtful prospect coverage, detailed scouting reports, and a grounded look at how talent evolves
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