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Jharel Cotton was acquired by the Oakland Athletics in the trade that sent both starting pitcher Rich Hill and right fielder Josh Reddick to the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.
Although he wasn’t called up until September, the 25-year-old right-hander dominated the minor leagues.
Upon arriving in Oakland he showed even more potential using his 92-93 MPH fastball, effective cutter and an unbelievable changeup to get hitters out.
Cotton’s changeup features improbable velocity separation and movement. It has baffled even the most experienced of hitters.
Cotton made five starts for the Athletics in 2016. He went 2-0 with a 2.15 ERA over 29.1 innings pitched.
He easily profiles as a league average starter with his three pitch repertoire, distinguishing himself from everyone else with that incredible changeup.
Being the number three pitcher in the A’s rotation is a perfect spot for him at this point in his young career.