Follow the Prospects: A.J. "Taylor" Cole, RHP

[sportsfan882]

Got freaked by his defense last night. 5.2 IP 5 H 4 R 0 ER 2 BB 5 K.

CAA Baseball ‏@CAA_Baseball  32s
A.J. Cole is 2nd in Eastern League with 1.97 ERA and has gone 12 starts (65 IP) without allowing HR #Nationals

[sportsfan882]

4 IP 7 H 4 ER 1 BB 0 K tonight for Cole.

[Slateman]

Young pitcher still working on stuff. No control issues.

[welch]

Bad first inning; next three were better.

[sportsfan882]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/wp/2014/06/25/nationals-expected-to-promote-a-j-cole-to-class-aaa-syracuse

The Nationals plan to promote right-hander A.J. Cole to Class AAA Syracuse in the coming days, according to a person familiar with the situation, moving their one of their best prospects one level below the major leagues.
Cole’s move to Class AAA opens the possibility that he could join the Nationals late in the year, perhaps adding another power arm to their bullpen as a September call-up.

[PC]

It's best for Cole's own good to get away from the losing in Harrisburg.

[imref]

[NJ Ave]

How hard does he throw now? He used to be one of the wide MPH range guys, like every scouting report was "91-95 on his fastball" which isn't that helpful.

[daggerrrrrr]

It's best for Cole's own good to get away from the losing in Harrisburg.

This!! And Michael Taylor too.

[Mr Clean]

Promoted to AAA says Zuckerman on Twitter.

[vernon337]

Syracuse, which is already terrific, gets better (will Hill stay up with the Nationals?), and Harrisburg, which is terrible, gets worse. 

Except for Taylor and Cole, hasn't been a great year for the Nat's hot prospects at AA level.  Manwhile, Syracuse is dominating with all the guys sent down from the bigs.

[sportsfan882]

Cole's first start in AAA: 5.2 IP 8 H 6 R 1 ER 1 BB 5 K.

Erik Kratz hit a 3-run homer vs him. Two errors hurt Cole, one by Laird and another by Burriss.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

8 hits, 1 walk, in < 6 IP, he deserved more than one earned run.

[sportsfan882]

5 IP 9 H 2 R 2 BB 2 K for Cole yesterday in Cuse.

[daggerrrrrr]

A Washington draftee who made a detour to Oakland in 2012, re-Nationalized pitcher AJ Cole is a six-foot-five, lanky righthander who can touch 95mph with his fastball. Cole also mixes in a power curve and passable changeup that could develop into plus pitches with good coaching and support. He's already drawing comparisons to Justin Verlander, who was a similar pitcher at the same age, complete with the erratic control that's still holding Cole back from a breakout. Give him time and watch his peripherals. Trading a couple of MPH for greater control could accelerate his timeline.

http://www.scoutingbook.com/players/p2698

I never heard the Verlander comparison before. I'd be shocked if he's ever able to reach that level of production.

[Slateman]

5 IP 9 H 2 R 2 BB 2 K for Cole yesterday in Cuse.

Looks like he's where he belongs

[tomterp]

Mid season prospect update from BP:
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=24076

32. RHP A.J. Cole (Nationals)
 
Placement on pre-season 101: #53
 
Current MiLB level/Affiliate: Triple-A Syracuse

Developmental Update: Even though Cole was selected in the fourth round of the 2010 draft, it seems like the big right-hander has been on the prospect landscape for a decade, and I think that fatigue is the reason his status is forgotten or dismissed. The 22-year-old arm was recently promoted to the Triple-A level after a strong return trip to Double-A to start the year, showing off his trademark double-plus fastball and strike-throwing ability. He needs to refine his overall command and secondary utility to his ceiling, but Cole has the size, strength and stuff to develop into a quality mid-rotation starter, and this ranking reflects that upside. –Jason Parks

[sportsfan882]

Cole picks up his first AAA win tonight:

6 IP 6 H 4 ER 0 BB 5 K 2 HR

[Vega]

Trade bait, or in the rotation at some point next season?

[Slateman]

Trade bait, or in the rotation at some point next season?

Honestly, trade bait. Our rotation is set next season.

That being said, it's not like he can't stand to get more seasoning in Triple A and then be a September call up next season, prepping him for the 2016 rotation, which could have some empty slots.

[HalfSmokes]

Honestly, trade bait. Our rotation is set next season.

Not necessarily, I could see one of Zimmermann or Fister getting dealt in the off season to avoid having to replace both at once, besides, would it surprise you if if Roark regressed?

[vernon337]

The starting rotation at Syracuse right now is pretty impressive:

--Taylor Hill

-- Blake Treinen

-- A.J. Cole

-- Aaron Laffey, 29-year old who's bounced up and down from the Majors for several years, and who's 11-3 with a 2.82 ERA for the Chiefs

-- Josh Roenicke, 31-year-old who spent last two seasons in the Majors and is currently the weak link in the rotation.

[Matugi]

Not necessarily, I could see one of Zimmermann or Fister getting dealt in the off season to avoid having to replace both at once, besides, would it surprise you if if Roark regressed?

I think Treinen has a legitimate shot to compete for the fifth starter

[Slateman]

I think Treinen has a legitimate shot to compete for the fifth starter

And let's not forget Taylor Jordan

[Natsinpwc]

I think Treinen has a legitimate shot to compete for the fifth starter

I agree.  Like treinen.  He has good stuff.  Have not seen cole but assume he will be in the bigs with someone soon.