Austin Cox

A 6-foot-3, 205-pound lefthander with a pair of above-average breaking balls, Cox has posted big strikeout rates for Mercer in the Southern Conference. However, he's been hit regularly and has a poor statistical record outside of the strikeout numbers. A firm slider is his most consistent breaking pitch and it's a current above-average offering, although at times he can get around the side of the ball. Cox also has curveball with more 1-to-7 shape that he gets on top of more regularly and with his arm slot, might be the best pitch for him in the future. Cox has been up to 94 mph this spring with his fastball, but that's more of an average pitch that ticks lower as he gets deeper into games. Cox also has feel for a solid changeup. The stuff is all there for an interesting back-end starter, but Cox has some work to do in his delivery. He gets rotational at times and also cuts himself in his landing. He's athletic enough to make the adjustments, but teams might also be leery of a small-school pitcher without much track record of success--elite strikeout rate or not.