Number 94 on our top 100 is Central Michigan outfielder and right-handed pitcher Dazon Cole.
Cole was drafted by the Atlanta Braves out of high school in the 29th round of the 2014 MLB Draft. He was drafted as a pitcher and that is where his future lies.
In 2016 at Central Michigan he hit .258, and then in 2017 he hit .268.
As a pitcher in 2016 he had a 3.44 ERA in 36.2 innings pitched with 18 strikeouts and 37 walks, but only gave up 23 hits.
The summer following that season he pitched in the Northwoods League and posted a 0.79 ERA in 11.1 innings, while giving up just 5 hits and 2 walks with 9 strikeouts.
He struggled as a full-time starter in 2017 posting a 5.92 ERA in 79 innings pitched, giving up 106 hits and 39 walks with just 44 strikeouts.
However, he did much better in the New England Collegiate Baseball League this summer. In 18.1 innings pitched he had a 0.98 ERA and allowed just 10 hits and 4 walks, while striking out 18.
He also pitched in the NECBL Playoffs where he had a win and a save, while not allowing a run in 3.2 innings pitched with 4 strikeouts. That led to him being named a top prospect in the NECBL by Baseball America.
Hopefully Dazon can carry that success into his junior season to put his career back on track.
The 5-foot-10, 177 pound right-handed pitcher has a very quick delivery out of the wind-up, which creates a whipping arm action.
I think Dazon will ultimately end up being a relief pitcher in the pros. That’s where he’s had the most success pitching in summer leagues.
We’ll see if Central Michigan moves him to the closer role this spring or leaves him in the starting rotation. Either way, this is a big year for Dazon as he tries to work his way back onto the scout’s radar.
