Biographical

Portrait of A.J. Cole

A.J. Cole PBlue Jays

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2019 Projections (Preseason PECOTA - seasonal age 27)
IP ERA WHIP SO W L SV WARP
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Birth Date1-5-1992
Height6' 5"
Weight240 lbs
Age32 years, 2 months, 23 days
BatsR
ThrowsR
0.22015
0.22016
0.62017
0.62018
0.12019
proj
WARP Summary

MLB Statistics

Historical (past-seasons) WARP is now based on DRA..
cFIP and DRA are not available on a by-team basis and display as zeroes(0). See TOT line for season totals of these stats.
Multiple stints are are currently shownClick to hide.
YEAR Team Lg G GS IP W L SV H BB SO HR PPF H/9 BB/9 HR/9 K/9 GB% BABIP WHIP FIP ERA cFIP DRA DRA- WARP
2015 WAS MLB 3 1 9.3 0 0 1 14 1 9 1 92 13.5 1.0 1.0 8.7 0% .394 1.61 2.94 5.79 94 3.05 71.2 0.2
2016 WAS MLB 8 8 38.3 1 2 0 37 14 39 7 91 8.7 3.3 1.6 9.2 32% .283 1.33 4.77 5.17 114 4.92 108.8 0.2
2017 WAS MLB 11 8 52.0 3 5 0 51 27 44 8 97 8.8 4.7 1.4 7.6 45% .293 1.50 5.21 3.81 107 4.53 96.4 0.6
2018 NYA 0 28 0 38.0 3 1 0 39 16 49 9 110 9.2 3.8 2.1 11.6 37% .319 1.45 4.95 4.26 84 2.88 64.3 0.9
2018 WAS 0 4 2 10.3 1 1 0 16 6 10 6 96 13.9 5.2 5.2 8.7 27% .323 2.13 10.47 13.06 124 7.82 174.7 -0.3
2019 CLE MLB 25 0 26.0 3 1 1 31 8 30 4 101 10.7 2.8 1.4 10.4 31% .355 1.50 3.86 3.81 105 6.45 132.4 -0.3
2018 TOT MLB 32 2 48.3 4 2 0 55 22 59 15 107 10.2 4.1 2.8 11.0 34% .320 1.59 6.13 6.14 94 3.93 87.9 0.6
CareerMLB7919174.0111021887218135999.73.71.89.437%.3081.495.054.861044.66100.81.2

Statistics for All Levels

'opp' stats - Quality of opponents faced - have been moved and are available only as OPP_QUAL in the Statistics reports now.
Minor league stats are currently shownClick to hide.
YEAR Team Lg LG G GS IP W L SV H BB SO HR PPF H/9 BB/9 HR/9 K/9 GB% BABIP WHIP FIP ERA cFIP DRA DRA-
2010 VER A- NYP 1 0 1.0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 9.0 9.0 0.0 9.0 0% .500 2.00 4.46 0.00 0 0.00 0.0
2011 HAG A SAL 20 18 89.0 4 7 0 87 24 108 6 109 8.8 2.4 0.6 10.9 0% .342 1.25 2.85 4.04 73 3.37 68.8
2012 BUR A MID 19 19 95.7 6 3 0 78 19 102 7 103 7.3 1.8 0.7 9.6 0% .291 1.01 2.88 2.07 75 2.89 60.2
2012 STO A+ CAL 8 8 38.0 0 7 0 60 10 31 7 87 14.2 2.4 1.7 7.3 0% .405 1.84 5.59 7.82 112 8.06 167.8
2013 POT A+ CAR 18 18 97.3 6 3 0 96 23 102 12 110 8.9 2.1 1.1 9.4 0% .317 1.22 3.68 4.25 83 4.17 90.6
2013 HAR AA EAS 7 7 45.3 4 2 0 31 10 49 3 94 6.2 2.0 0.6 9.7 0% .248 0.90 2.68 2.18 75 2.37 51.5
2014 HAR AA EAS 14 14 71.0 6 3 0 79 15 61 1 106 10.0 1.9 0.1 7.7 0% .342 1.32 2.57 2.92 81 4.56 96.6
2014 SYR AAA INT 11 11 63.0 7 0 0 69 17 50 9 100 9.9 2.4 1.3 7.1 0% .316 1.37 4.47 3.43 105 4.91 104.0
2015 WAS MLB NL 3 1 9.3 0 0 1 14 1 9 1 92 13.5 1.0 1.0 8.7 0% .394 1.61 2.94 5.79 94 3.05 71.2
2015 SYR AAA INT 21 19 105.7 5 6 0 91 34 76 9 98 7.8 2.9 0.8 6.5 0% .256 1.18 3.90 3.15 105 3.35 73.4
2016 WAS MLB NL 8 8 38.3 1 2 0 37 14 39 7 91 8.7 3.3 1.6 9.2 32% .283 1.33 4.77 5.17 114 4.92 108.8
2016 SYR AAA INT 22 22 124.7 8 8 0 131 35 109 16 102 9.5 2.5 1.2 7.9 43% .310 1.33 3.95 4.26 104 4.75 104.8
2017 WAS MLB NL 11 8 52.0 3 5 0 51 27 44 8 97 8.8 4.7 1.4 7.6 45% .293 1.50 5.21 3.81 107 4.53 96.4
2017 SYR AAA INT 18 18 93.3 4 5 0 127 36 79 7 98 12.2 3.5 0.7 7.6 42% .390 1.75 3.87 5.88 100 7.10 151.2
2018 NYA MLB AL 28 0 38.0 3 1 0 39 16 49 9 110 9.2 3.8 2.1 11.6 37% .319 1.45 4.95 4.26 84 2.88 64.3
2018 WAS MLB NL 4 2 10.3 1 1 0 16 6 10 6 96 13.9 5.2 5.2 8.7 27% .323 2.13 10.47 13.06 124 7.82 174.7
2018 SWB AAA INT 2 1 1.7 0 1 0 6 3 1 1 104 32.4 16.2 5.4 5.4 50% .556 5.40 15.33 27.00 132 9.16 193.7
2019 CLE MLB AL 25 0 26.0 3 1 1 31 8 30 4 101 10.7 2.8 1.4 10.4 31% .355 1.50 3.86 3.81 105 6.45 132.4
2019 COH AAA INT 13 0 17.0 0 1 2 10 5 21 2 5.3 2.6 1.1 11.1 36% .235 0.88 3.74 3.18 79 2.73 56.1

Plate Discipline

YEAR Pits Zone% Swing% Contact% Z-Swing% O-Swing% Z-Contact% O-Contact% SwStr%
2015 152 0.4868 0.4868 0.7838 0.7027 0.2821 0.8462 0.6364 0.2162
2016 669 0.4694 0.4649 0.7653 0.6401 0.3099 0.8408 0.6273 0.2347
2017 944 0.4831 0.4417 0.7530 0.6075 0.2869 0.8231 0.6143 0.2470
2018 875 0.4240 0.4480 0.6658 0.6011 0.3353 0.7758 0.5207 0.3342
2019 480 0.4896 0.5188 0.6948 0.7404 0.3061 0.7586 0.5467 0.3052
Career31200.46480.46250.72370.63780.30810.80480.58150.2763

Injury History  —  No longer being updated

Last Update: 12/31/2014 23:59 ET

Date On Date Off Transaction Days Games Side Body Part Injury Severity Surgery Date Reaggravation

Compensation

Year Team Salary
2021 TOR $
2020 TOR $
2019 CLE $
2018 WAS $555,300
2017 WAS $
2016 WAS $
2015 WAS $
YearsDescriptionSalary
1 yrPrevious$555,300
1 yrTotal$555,300

 

Service TimeAgentContract Status
4 y 71 d2022

Details
  • 1 year/$800,400 (2022). Signed by Yakult Swallows 12/7/21.
  • 1 year (2021). Re-signed by Toronto as a free agent 1/8/21 (minor-league contract). Salary of $1M in majors. May earn additional $200,000 in performance bonuses. May opt out of contract 5/15/21 if not on Major League roster. Contract selected by Toronto 5/8/21. Sent outright to Triple-A by Toronto 9/3/21. Elected free agency 10/5/21.
  • 1 year (2020). Signed by Toronto as a free agent 11/25/19 (minor-league contract). Contract selected by Toronto 7/23/20.
  • 1 year (2019). Claimed by Cleveland off waivers 1/11/19 after being DFA by NY Yankees 1/4/19. DFA by Cleveland 2/5/19. Sent outright to Triple-A 2/11/19. Contract selected by Cleveland 5/11/19. Sent outright to Triple-A by Cleveland 11/4/19 (elected free agency).
  • 1 year/$555,300 (2018). Re-signed by Washington 3/18. Acquired by NY Yankees in trade 4/24/18 after being DFA by Washington 4/20/18.
  • 1 year (2017). Re-signed by Washington 3/17.
  • 1 year (2016). Re-signed by Washington 3/16.
  • 1 year (2015). Contract purchased by Washington 11/20/14. Re-signed by Washington 3/15.
  • Acquired by Washington in trade from Oakland 1/16/13 (Michael Morse deal).
  • Acquired by Oakland in trade from Washington 12/22/11 (Gio Gonzalez deal).
  • Drafted by Washington 2010 (4-116) (Oviedo HS, Fla.). $2M signing bonus.

2019 Preseason Forecast

Last Update: 1/27/2017 12:35 ET

PCT W L SV G GS IP H BB SO HR BABIP WHIP ERA DRA VORP WARP
90o 14.9 0 0.2 20 12 76.6 63 26 80 9 .271 1.15 3.09 3.32 -0.9 -0.1
80o 13.3 0 0.1 19 11 70.7 62 25 74 9 .285 1.24 3.46 3.72 -3.8 -0.4
70o 12.3 0 0.1 18 11 66.6 61 25 69 9 .295 1.30 3.73 4.01 -5.6 -0.6
60o 11.4 0 0.1 17 10 63.1 61 25 66 8 .303 1.35 3.96 4.26 -7.0 -0.8
50o 10.6 0 0.1 16 10 60.0 60 25 62 8 .311 1.41 4.18 4.5 -8.1 -0.9
40o 9.8 0 0.1 15 9 56.9 59 24 59 8 .319 1.46 4.41 4.74 -9.2 -1.0
30o 9 0 0.1 14 9 53.6 58 24 56 8 .328 1.52 4.65 5 -10.1 -1.1
20o 8.2 0 0.1 13 8 49.9 56 23 52 8 .338 1.59 4.94 5.31 -11.0 -1.2
10o 7 0 0.1 12 7 44.8 54 22 47 7 .352 1.69 5.35 5.75 -11.9 -1.3
Weighted Mean10.500.1161059.55924628.3101.404.164.47-7.9-0.9

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BP Annual Player Comments

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BP Articles

Click here to see articles tagged with A.J. Cole

BP Chats

DateQuestionAnswer
2015-01-15 18:00:00 (link to chat)Could A.J. Cole kinda look like young Jordan Zimmermann? Both were noted for nice frames,easy deliveries,plus fastballs in the mid 90's and excellent control. The knock on both of them was the lack of a true strikeout secondary pitch. But Zimmermann has been better than expected.
(Matt from Cambridge)
Having seen both players from the early stages of their development (Cole in high school and Zimmerman in college), and extensively throughout their careers, I have trouble with this comparison. There are some superficial items that suggest they could be similar, but in the end, I don't think Cole has the type of potential to reach Zimmerman's heights. Cole's more likely to settle into the middle of a rotation than the front. (Mark Anderson)
2015-03-19 14:00:00 (link to chat)Rank these pitchers according to ceiling please: A.J. Cole, Raul Alcantara, Joe Ross
(Allota from Vermont)
A.J Cole, Joe Ross, Raul Alcantara in my opinion. (Rob Willer)
2014-08-29 12:00:00 (link to chat)RJ, With Giolito, he needs to build up his innings but he did not really seem challenged against low A hitters this year. Do you think the Nats get more aggressive with him in 2015 or are they more of a conservative level per year organization?
(Cal Guy from Cal)
They've shown a willingness to promote guys multiple levels before. For instance: A.J. Cole split the year between Double- and Triple-A. I don't see any reason to think they wouldn't do the same with Giolito moving forward. (R.J. Anderson)
2014-07-08 13:00:00 (link to chat)Speaking of A.J. Cole, how convinced are you that he ends up a starter in the short term? I mean he has a dynamite fastball and plus control/command, but the lack of quality secondary stuff seems concerning. Any chance he ends up in the pen given the glut of SP in Washington and is told to throw hard and pound the zone out of the pen?
(Matt from Cambridge)
I still think Cole is a starter long term, but the Nationals will likely have an opportunity to try and alternative developmental track with him if they so choose. He could succeed in an MLB bullpen right now, but given his long-term potential, I would be inclined to wait on such a move. One significant injury in that rotation and he suddenly looks like an intriguing back-end starter with considerable upside beyond that as he completes his development. (Mark Anderson)
2014-04-21 13:00:00 (link to chat)Thanks for the chat Jeff and the excellent work on MLU.. Bunch of questions for you - Addison Russell or Francisco Lindor? High Ceiling or High Floor? Eduardo Rodriguez or A.J. Cole? Favorite Sleeper prospect in the Nationals system? City Oyster or 32 East? Best Sports Bar in Delray?
(NatsGM from Bethesda MD)
We had this discussion as a staff the other day and included Baez and Correa in the mix. I went with Lindor. Here's the link:

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=23246

There's no right or wrong, so much as just a preference. Same with Rodriguez vs. Cole. Do you like ceiling or floor? Cole could be the better pitcher, but he could also be a reliever still. Sometimes it's just a preference.

You want food in Delray? Go to Park Tavern. You simply can't beat it, and order an Old Fashioned. My favorite sports bar is a little dive called The Hurricane because it's an Eagles bar and they put the game on every Sunday and it's filled with other idiots in Randal Cunningham throwbacks to make me feel better about myself. (Jeff Moore)
2014-01-29 19:00:00 (link to chat)Can you give me 5 SP prospects you are higher on than industry? I really like Sean Manaea.
(JoJo from SD)
Manaea is a good one to like. I think I'm higher, or at least more ready to gamble on, Fried, Zack Lee, A.J. Cole, Zach Eflin and Allen Webster than are some of my peers. I was very high on Giolito last season compared to most, but the industry seems to have caught up with me there. I'm lower on Biddle, Ranaudo, Taillon (slightly), and Lance McCullers than are some in the industry, it seems. (Ben Carsley)
2013-09-04 13:00:00 (link to chat)Professor Parks, what are your thoughts on Lucas Sims, A.J. Cole & Miguel Almonte heading into the fall? Do you think all 3 have the chance to be role 6 type starters?
(kiper90 from Rochester, NY)
I do. The reports on Sims have been fantastic. Very good athlete with stuff and feel. THat's what you want to see. Cole doesn't get a lot of credit as a prospect. The combination of size, stuff, and projection still remaining is pretty fascinating. He's only 21-years-old and is still improving. Almonte is a fox. Love him. (Jason Parks)
2013-06-20 13:00:00 (link to chat)No hype for Mookie Betts? That walk to strikeout ratio is insane. A.J. Cole seems to be turning it back around. Any shot both players get in the top 100 by the end of the year?
(Giles from PA)
100% honesty: I know nothing of Betts. Very awesome K/BB ratio for a hitter (29 K, 46 BB). Cole, meanwhile, is one of my favorite prospects. I was thrilled when Washington reacquired him. I think he's still a ways out, but he looks sharp. (Paul Sporer)
2013-02-25 11:00:00 (link to chat)How bout #coleluv for A.J. Cole? How close was he? Think he'll rebound?
(Charlie from Bethesda, MD)
I don't know. I think he could be on the list. He's a legit prospect. I just wasn't feeling it at the time. (Jason Parks on the Top 101 Prospects)
2012-12-13 13:00:00 (link to chat)What are scouts saying about A.J. Cole? He bounced back in a big way after being sent to low-A. Were his struggles mechanical/mental/both? Thanks for the chat today.
(Steve from Austin)
When it comes to young pitchers (young players in general), I always assume there is more to their story than just mechanical issues. So many things on their plate. The reports on Cole were promising in Low-A. (Jason Parks)


BP Roundtables

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PITCHf/x Pitcher Profile

A Collaboration between BrooksBaseball.net and Baseball Prospectus - Pitch classifications provided by Pitch Info LLC


A.J. Cole has thrown 4,105 pitches that have been tracked by the PITCHf/x system between 2015 and 2023, all of them occuring in Spring Training. In 2023, he has relied primarily on his Fourseam Fastball (93mph), also mixing in a Slider (81mph), Cutter (88mph) and Curve (76mph). He also rarely throws a Change (84mph) and Sinker (91mph).