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A.J. Cole Named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week

A.J. ColeWith seven-inning complete-game shutout in the first game of last Saturday night’s doubleheader, A.J. Cole earned the Eastern League’s Pitcher of the Week honors for the period of May 12th to May 18th.

Cole walked none and let up just four hits to earn his fourth win for the Senators. He retired the leadoff batter six times out of seven and allowed just two runners to get into scoring position (single and a double steal in the 1st, a double in the 6th) — both with one out.

Overall, Cole is 4-2 with an ERA of 2.25 (third-best in the E.L.), an FIP of 2.33 (best in the E.L.), and a WHIP of 1.33 with 34 strikeouts (7.65 per 9IP) and seven walks (1.58) in 40 innings pitched.

The 22-year-old was originally drafted in the 4th round of the 2010 draft out of Oviedo HS in Florida. He was traded away in the Gio Gonzalez trade in December 2011 but re-acquired in Mike Morse trade in January 2013. He was rated the No. 2 Nationals prospect by both Baseball America in its 2014 annual book and the MLB Pipeline Top 20.

6 Commments

  1. Luke…Have you seen him pitch? I have a friend who was at that game and says that AJ’s stuff looks good…
    Any chance we see him for a cup of coffee this September?

    1. Not in person since last season. I would tend to doubt we’ll see him in a callup unless there are more injuries, but I’m sure [troll]someone will disagree and name their favorite deadwood to drop from the 40-man.[/troll]

      1. Which leads to my next question (no more after this, I promise…):

        When does Cole have to be added to the 40 man? No WAY he doesn’t get picked in the Rule 5 draft if left unprotected, agree?

        1. Cole must be on the 40 man roster before the Rule 5 draft this December or he will be available in that draft.

        2. This offseason = 5th season after being drafted as HS pick. And yes, somebody, somewhere would take a chance on him, even as a 22-y.o. w/ no experience above AA.

  2. Time for the nats to break out the ole expo
    Knits cause they are scoring like some of the
    Hawk , Kid, Parrish, Crow line ups did for
    Rogers, gully, Sanderson , Lea!

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