Kansas City Royals: Offseason Prospect Watch, Austin Cox

We are nearing the time when MLB Pipeline resets their top 30 prospects in each organization, signaling the beginning of a new season. Currently, Austin Cox in the 18th ranked prospect in the Kansas City Royals organization.

The Kansas City Royals drafted many talented pitching prospects in the 2018 MLB Amateur Draft. I’m sure you could think of more than a few. Another name that falls into that category is Austin Cox. Cox was drafted in the fifth round. The 21 year old began his professional career with the Burlington Royals.

2018 Season Statistics

The lefty starter appeared in nine games during the 2018 season with the Royals. He tallied an ERA of 3.78 over a span of 33.1 innings. Hitters yielded an average of .228 against him, and he allowed 29 hits and 15 walks while striking out 51. His WHIP sat at 1.32 on the season.

He ultimately tallied a record of 1-1 during 2018.

The Grades

MLB Pipeline grades Austin Cox as a 45 overall player. His fastball and curveball profile as his strongest pitches, earning grades of 55, followed by his slider and changeup at 50. His control grades in at 50 as well.

His fastball has reached 95, but it typically sits in the low 90s. He has the potential to eventually become a major league starter. Cox has already made progress, but he still has room for improvement.

He was drafted out of Mercer, and he averaged 12.8 strikeouts per nine while in college. That mark put him in eighth in all of Division I baseball last season.

To begin his professional career, he struck out exactly half of the first 46 batters he faced, 23.

Where will he be in 2019?

It is unknown where he will end up in 2019. Likely he will reach the Lexington Legends, and if he excels, he may see a quicker climb up the ladder. MLB Pipeline sees is date of arrival in the MLB as the 2021 season.

As part of a talented class of pitchers in the 2018 Draft class, he will have to work extremely hard to move his way up the ladder through the organization.