Biographical

Portrait of Alex Cobb

Alex Cobb PAngels

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2019 Projections (Preseason PECOTA - seasonal age 31)
IP ERA WHIP SO W L SV WARP
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Birth Date10-7-1987
Height6' 3"
Weight205 lbs
Age36 years, 6 months, 12 days
BatsR
ThrowsR
2015
0.22016
3.02017
-0.32018
0.52019
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 shown —Click 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
2011 TBA MLB 9 9 52.7 3 2 0 49 21 37 3 96 8.4 3.6 0.5 6.3 0% .284 1.33 3.64 3.42 107 4.41 102.5 0.4
2012 TBA MLB 23 23 136.3 11 9 0 130 40 106 11 93 8.6 2.6 0.7 7.0 0% .295 1.25 3.61 4.03 97 4.04 92.7 1.8
2013 TBA MLB 22 22 143.3 11 3 0 120 45 134 13 95 7.5 2.8 0.8 8.4 0% .279 1.15 3.38 2.76 90 3.74 89.6 2.1
2014 TBA MLB 27 27 166.3 10 9 0 142 47 149 11 95 7.7 2.5 0.6 8.1 0% .282 1.14 3.25 2.87 93 2.85 70.0 4.1
2016 TBA MLB 5 5 22.0 1 2 0 32 7 16 5 103 13.1 2.9 2.0 6.5 52% .355 1.77 5.55 8.59 101 4.56 101.0 0.2
2017 TBA MLB 29 29 179.3 12 10 0 175 44 128 22 97 8.8 2.2 1.1 6.4 49% .282 1.22 4.14 3.66 96 4.07 86.7 3.0
2018 BAL MLB 28 28 152.3 5 15 0 172 43 102 24 104 10.2 2.5 1.4 6.0 51% .303 1.41 4.83 4.90 102 5.50 122.9 -0.3
2019 BAL MLB 3 3 12.3 0 2 0 21 2 8 9 107 15.3 1.5 6.6 5.8 48% .293 1.86 11.92 10.95 121 8.27 169.7 -0.3
CareerMLB146146864.75352084124968098978.82.61.07.154%.2901.264.003.85974.1293.810.9

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 shown —Click 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-
2006 PRI Rk APL 6 1 8.2 0 0 0 9 3 8 3 97 9.9 3.3 3.3 8.8 0% .250 1.46 7.44 5.49 115 4.67 98.1
2007 HUD A- NYP 16 16 81.3 5 6 0 78 31 62 4 95 8.6 3.4 0.4 6.9 0% .303 1.34 3.84 3.54 103 5.06 103.8
2008 CGA A SAL 25 25 139.7 9 7 0 113 35 97 16 102 7.3 2.3 1.0 6.2 0% .245 1.06 4.75 3.29 112 4.12 84.3
2009 PCH A+ FSL 24 23 124.7 8 5 0 116 31 107 6 98 8.4 2.2 0.4 7.7 0% .304 1.18 3.06 3.03 88 4.12 86.7
2010 MNT AA SOU 23 22 119.7 7 5 0 120 35 128 7 97 9.0 2.6 0.5 9.6 0% .342 1.29 2.97 2.71 0 0.00 0.0
2010 PES Wnt AFL 7 7 25.0 1 3 0 31 14 30 2 11.2 5.0 0.7 10.8 0% .414 1.80 4.93 6.12 0 0.00 0.0
2011 TBA MLB AL 9 9 52.7 3 2 0 49 21 37 3 96 8.4 3.6 0.5 6.3 0% .284 1.33 3.64 3.42 107 4.41 102.5
2011 DUR AAA INT 12 12 67.3 5 1 0 61 16 70 4 98 8.2 2.1 0.5 9.4 0% .331 1.14 2.73 1.87 75 3.88 79.2
2012 TBA MLB AL 23 23 136.3 11 9 0 130 40 106 11 93 8.6 2.6 0.7 7.0 0% .295 1.25 3.61 4.03 97 4.04 92.7
2012 DUR AAA INT 8 8 41.3 1 4 0 44 18 44 1 103 9.6 3.9 0.2 9.6 0% .355 1.50 2.79 4.14 83 5.50 114.6
2013 TBA MLB AL 22 22 143.3 11 3 0 120 45 134 13 95 7.5 2.8 0.8 8.4 0% .279 1.15 3.38 2.76 90 3.74 89.6
2013 PCH A+ FSL 3 3 8.3 0 1 0 8 4 8 0 103 8.6 4.3 0.0 8.6 0% .348 1.44 3.12 4.32 89 4.13 89.8
2014 TBA MLB AL 27 27 166.3 10 9 0 142 47 149 11 95 7.7 2.5 0.6 8.1 0% .282 1.14 3.25 2.87 93 2.85 70.0
2014 PCH A+ FSL 1 1 5.0 1 0 0 3 0 9 0 98 5.4 0.0 0.0 16.2 0% .375 0.60 -0.22 0.00 41 2.72 57.7
2016 TBA MLB AL 5 5 22.0 1 2 0 32 7 16 5 103 13.1 2.9 2.0 6.5 52% .355 1.77 5.55 8.59 101 4.56 101.0
2016 PCH A+ FSL 4 4 6.7 0 2 0 7 3 5 0 101 9.5 4.1 0.0 6.8 36% .318 1.50 3.10 6.75 100 4.23 93.3
2016 DUR AAA INT 4 4 15.0 0 1 0 24 5 10 3 106 14.4 3.0 1.8 6.0 44% .389 1.93 5.63 6.60 118 7.14 157.7
2017 TBA MLB AL 29 29 179.3 12 10 0 175 44 128 22 97 8.8 2.2 1.1 6.4 49% .282 1.22 4.14 3.66 96 4.07 86.7
2018 BAL MLB AL 28 28 152.3 5 15 0 172 43 102 24 104 10.2 2.5 1.4 6.0 51% .303 1.41 4.83 4.90 102 5.50 122.9
2019 BAL MLB AL 3 3 12.3 0 2 0 21 2 8 9 107 15.3 1.5 6.6 5.8 48% .293 1.86 11.92 10.95 121 8.27 169.7

Plate Discipline

YEAR Pits Zone% Swing% Contact% Z-Swing% O-Swing% Z-Contact% O-Contact% SwStr%
2011 841 0.4661 0.4293 0.8089 0.5536 0.3207 0.9263 0.6319 0.1911
2012 2164 0.4778 0.4325 0.8024 0.5445 0.3301 0.9112 0.6381 0.1976
2013 2198 0.4622 0.4436 0.7764 0.5610 0.3426 0.8895 0.6173 0.2236
2014 2555 0.4309 0.4528 0.7416 0.5976 0.3432 0.8921 0.5431 0.2584
2016 386 0.5052 0.4585 0.8249 0.6256 0.2880 0.8689 0.7273 0.1751
2017 2855 0.4827 0.4375 0.8295 0.5914 0.2938 0.9006 0.6959 0.1705
2018 2432 0.4827 0.4523 0.8227 0.6201 0.2957 0.8901 0.6909 0.1773
2019 228 0.4518 0.4693 0.7570 0.6117 0.3520 0.9048 0.5455 0.2430
Career136590.46800.44380.79640.58430.31940.89780.63910.2036

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
2014-04-13 2014-05-22 15-DL 39 35 Left Abdomen Strain Oblique - -
2013-07-23 2013-07-23 On-Alr 0 0 Right Fingers Blister Index Finger - -
2013-06-15 2013-08-15 60-DL 61 51 - Head Concussion Batted Ball - -
2012-07-22 2012-07-27 DTD 5 4 Right Lower Leg Contusion Batted Ball - -
2011-08-07 2011-10-04 15-DL 58 50 Right Shoulder Surgery Thoracic Outlet Syndrome 2011-08-18 -
2010-04-08 2010-05-05 Minors 27 0 Abdomen Strain Oblique -
2009-08-05 2009-08-15 Minors 10 0 Not Disclosed -

Compensation

Year Team Salary
2024 SFN $10,000,000
2023 SFN $9,000,000
2022 SFN $9,000,000
2021 BAL $15,000,000
2020 BAL $12,371,905
2019 BAL $14,000,000
2018 BAL $14,000,000
2017 TBA $4,200,000
2016 TBA $4,000,000
2015 TBA $4,000,000
2014 TBA $516,900
2013 TBA $502,200
YearsDescriptionSalary
12 yrPrevious$86,591,005
2019Current$10,000,000
13 yrPvs + Cur$96,591,005
13 yrTotal$96,591,005

 

Service TimeAgentContract Status
12 y 61 dBeverly Hills Sports Council2 years/$20M (2022-23), 2024 option

Details
  • 2 years/$20M (2022-23), plus 2024 club option. 22:$9M, 23:$9M, 24:$10M club option, $2M buyout. Cobb to donate $45,000 annually to club charity in 2022-2023 and, if club exercises the option, $50,000 in 2024. San Francisco exercised 2024 option 11/5/23.
  • 4 years/$57M (2018-21). Signed by Baltimore as a free agent 3/21/18. 18:$14M, 19:$14M, 20:$14M, 21:$15M. Annual performance bonus: $500,000 for 180 innings pitched. $20M deferred ($6.5M of 2018 salary, $4.5M of 2019-21 salaries), to be paid $2M on 11/30/22 and $1.8M annually each 11/30, 2023-32). If Cobb does not pitch at least 130 innings in 2020, an additional $5.5M of 2021 salary is deferred, payable $1.75M annually each 11/30, 2033-35. No-trade protection (may block deals to all clubs in 2018 and 10 clubs annually in 2019-21). Acquired by LA Angels in trade from Baltimore 2/3/21. Orioles to pay $10M of Cobb's 2021 salary, with Angels responsible for $5M.
  • 1 year/$4.2M (2017). Re-signed by Tampa Bay 1/13/17 (avoided arbitration).
  • 1 year/$4M (2016). Re-signed by Tampa Bay 1/14/16 (avoided arbitration).
  • 1 year/$4M (2015). Re-signed by Tampa Bay 1/16/15 (avoided arbitration).
  • 1 year/$516,900 (2014). Re-signed by Tampa Bay 3/2/14.
  • 1 year/$502,200 (2013). Re-signed by Tampa Bay 3/2/13.
  • 1 year (2012). Re-signed by Tampa Bay 3/3/12.
  • 1 year (2011). Contract purchased by Tampa Bay 11/19/10.
  • Drafted by Tampa Bay 2006 (Vero Beach HS, Fla.). $400,000 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 0 13.1 0 28 28 148.9 144 44 98 20 .270 1.26 4.03 4.07 -13.1 -1.4
80o 0 13.1 0 27 27 142.7 145 44 93 20 .281 1.33 4.37 4.42 -17.8 -1.9
70o 0 13.2 0 26 26 138.4 147 45 91 20 .289 1.38 4.61 4.68 -21.1 -2.3
60o 0 13.2 0 25 25 134.7 148 45 88 20 .295 1.43 4.83 4.9 -23.7 -2.6
50o 0 13.3 0 24 24 131.3 148 45 86 20 .302 1.47 5.03 5.11 -26.0 -2.8
40o 0 13.3 0 24 24 128.0 149 45 84 20 .308 1.52 5.23 5.33 -28.3 -3.1
30o 0 13.3 0 23 23 124.5 150 46 81 20 .315 1.57 5.45 5.56 -30.6 -3.3
20o 0 13.3 0 22 22 120.4 150 46 79 20 .323 1.63 5.71 5.83 -33.0 -3.6
10o 0 13.3 0 21 21 114.9 151 46 75 21 .334 1.71 6.08 6.21 -36.1 -3.9
Weighted Mean013.202424131.3148458620.3011.475.015.1-25.9-2.8

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BP Annual Player Comments

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BP Articles

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BP Chats

DateQuestionAnswer
2018-05-11 13:00:00 (link to chat)Obviously Alex Cobb can't be this bad, right? His peripherals look good, but do you expect a return to his 'good' days?
(Ryan from Montreal)		I'm assuming it's mostly due to a lack of a proper spring training regimen. He's still Alex Cobb. (Nicolas Stellini)
2017-10-23 13:00:00 (link to chat)Who leads the next wave of Yankee prospects to make it to the big leagues, Gleyber or one of the young pitchers?
(Joao from Baltimore)		I'm assuming this means who gets there first? As of right now I would say that Chance Adams may find himself in New York before Gleyber Torres, but only because they may want to keep Gleyber down for Super Two purposes. The Yankees may be losing both CC Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka this winter (although I wouldn't be shocked if they both come back). They may go out and get someone like Alex Cobb, but Adams will have a role to play. You'll also see Justus Sheffield at some point, but he's a little bit further off. Adams could probably break camp with the big team and be okay, but I doubt that happens. (Nicolas Stellini)
2017-10-23 13:00:00 (link to chat)what do you see as the big next steps for the Yankees?
(a.j. from las vegas)		So they obviously will need to do something with the rotation, as I said earlier. There's also the matter of Clint Frazier likely needing regular ABs and a very full outfield, and that Gleyber Torres will need somewhere to play rather soon. I wouldn't be shocked if Brett Gardner and Starlin Castro are playing elsewhere next year, and if someone like Alex Cobb is wearing pinstripes. There's also Shohei Otani. (Nicolas Stellini)
2017-08-17 13:00:00 (link to chat)It appears likely that the Cubs are going to let Arrieta walk this offseason, and having brought in Quintana, they should have the money to sign an SP or two in FA. Do you think they go that route? If so, what does it look like?
(nschaef from NYC)		Already answered some form of this, but to take a position: I think the odds that they re-sign Arrieta rise with each good start he has. Alex Cobb is definitely an intriguing target, but I'd think he needs to get back on the mound and finish strong for them to feel he's a sure enough bet for them. (Matthew Trueblood)
2017-01-18 20:00:00 (link to chat)Can we expect anything from Alex Cobb this year?
(RDBL2014 from Concord, CA)		I expect him to return to 75-ish percent of his pre-surgery form. A below 4.00 ERA and around 150 strikeouts if he can stick it out for 180-190 innings. (Bret Sayre)
2015-01-12 13:00:00 (link to chat)Which stock will be higher in 2016: Billy Hamilton, Alex Cobb, or Byron Buxton?
(Elizabeth from Berkley)		Skipping right over next season, huh? Okey-dokey. Hamilton is the "which of these things doesn't belong here" of the group so he's right out. I should take Cobb, but I'll take the more exciting and younger player in Buxton. The guy could be a monster and another year away from 2014 can only be a good thing. (Matthew Kory)
2014-09-15 19:30:00 (link to chat)If we are to refer to good fastballs as "cheese", who throws cheddar, who throws blue, who throws pepperjack, and who throws the clearly inferior American cheese? Asking for a friend.
(Yung Charcuterie from Your friendly neighborhood meat store)		Cheddar would be Yordano Ventura (sharp, in your face). Blu would be Alex Cobb (best left as a complement to other ingredients). Pepperjack would be Tim Hudson (appears underwhelming but very effective). American Cheese would be Bud Norris, for sure. (Ben Carsley)
2014-07-25 14:00:00 (link to chat)Thanks for the chat Doug! Nick Minnix at Fangraphs brought up something interesting on Alex Cobb. He has a K-BB% of 20.4% with bases empty and 5.4% with men on base, and his HR/9 rate with men on base, is double what it is with bases empty. Wanted to see if you see something in his mechanics that would account for why he seems to be so much worse this year with when pitching from the stretch?
(Shawn from Cubicle)		From the windup, Cobb has a big leg lift and a painfully slow delivery, especially during the lift phase. But he goes slide step from the stretch, and though he is still a bit slow, the timing of his windup and stretch deliveries are very different. Throw in a shallower release point due to a shorter stride, and you have the ingredients for a big split with runners on base.

On the jukebox: Judas Priest, "Green Manalishi" (Doug Thorburn)
2014-06-13 13:00:00 (link to chat)I just pushed the panic button on Kyle Zimmer and shipped him away as a part of deal to land Alex Cobb. Are you as worried as I am? He is set to miss close to a full year with shoulder problems. And shoulder problems are scary
(Matt from Cambridge)		I don't think that's a panic button if you got Cobb in the deal. I'm always worried about young arms even before they get injured because they are just SO uncertain, but throwing in injury concern really pushes me away. I'm often looking to deal young arms in my leagues for established pieces unless they are on the cusp of coming up and contributing. But I'm always trading the Giolitos of the world for in-season contributions (Paul Sporer)
2014-06-13 13:00:00 (link to chat)Dallas Keuchel is good, but not sure he's this good. Who are some SPs you would try and target for him? Alex Cobb? Mat Latos if his 1st start back goes ok? Gerrit Cole?
(Shawnykid23 from CT)		Yeah, I'd probably take any of those three. I'm a little worried Cobb might still be ailing, so I might actually lean toward Latos and Cole, even though both are DL'd right now. Latos is close to returning and Cole should be back after the minimum stay, while Cobb may be headed for another DL stint if he is indeed still hurt (Paul Sporer)
2014-05-02 14:00:00 (link to chat)I've noticed that several of the Rays starters pitch from what looks like a modified version of the stretch (David Price, Alex Cobb, etc.) Is this an org. thing and do you agree with teaching it? #teamstretch
(Snake Odorizzi from Arizona)		I definitely like the idea of having a windup that is much more similar to the stretch, requiring the pitcher to master a single delivery rather than two (or more). Staying with the Rays, Jeremy Hellickson is an interesting case example, as he was much better in 2012 when he typically used a regular leg lift from the stretch (his stretch delivery was actually better than his windup), but then he started using the slide step all the time with runners on base last season. It will be interesting to see what Tampa does with Helix when he returns, as he is an excellent candidate to throw from his regular stretch (ie no slide step) at all times, regardless of the baserunner situation.

On the jukebox: The Clash, "London's Burning" (Doug Thorburn)
2014-04-03 19:30:00 (link to chat)Yoenis Yoenis. Do you see a scenario that the dude quickly unravels bats .220 till the month of June with slugging below .400? Making a run this year in my keeper league and would like to accept a trade for Alex Cobb if this is the case. I would keep Cespedes if you think I need to relax and have a cigar. 25 HR 90 RBI .280 AVG
(allangustafson from Havana)		I prefer Yoenis to Cobb unless your league slants heavily towards pitching. I think Yo can have a huge year. He's more 2012 than 2013 to me. (Craig Goldstein)
2014-03-04 13:00:00 (link to chat)Chris Archer working hard on change-up, Jake Odorizzi learning how to throw Alex Cobb's split-finger change-up, Nate Karns improving on his change-up and Jake McGee adding a change-up w/ a possibility of a curveball to his repertoire. Which one of these guys will benefit most from adding the pitch that some people are obsessed/fixated/fascinated with? If Odorizzi does indeed learn and hone "The Thing"(split-change), would this take him from a bottom-of-rotation to a 2/3 guy because he'll finally have an out-pitch?
(jlarsen from Chicagoland Area)		a killer changeup can move the needle, sure. But some times a guy is just hoping to get a half-way decent one. In theory any big league pitcher who 'learns awesome new pitch' is going to get better, change cutter knucklecurve etc, but it feels to me like Odorizzi and Archer are going to benefit the most, since they are already potential quality starters and this could put them over the top. Karns could be helped out by having a better chance to stick in the rotation, but that's not as shiny as having a chacne to be a front-line guy. (Harry Pavlidis)
2014-02-20 13:00:00 (link to chat)Thanks for the chat, I love reading your work. How would you rank these pitchers just for this year: Anibal Sanchez, Mat Latos, Mike Minor, Matt Moore, Homer Bailey, Tanaka and Alex Cobb?
(oscarbluth from Madison, WI)		[Sanchez, Latos, Bailey, Cobb], [Moore, Minor, Tanaka] (Paul Sporer)
2014-02-20 13:00:00 (link to chat)Just for 2014, how would you rank Anibal Sanchez, Latos, Tanaka, Minor, Matt Moore, Alex Cobb and Homer Bailey?
(oscarbluth from Madison, WI)		I think this was a double question (Paul Sporer)
2014-02-28 14:00:00 (link to chat)Do you think Alex Cobb can take another step forward in '14?
(Dave from Boston)		He can, and is in a good org for pitcher development, but I think that he is currently being a bit overhyped. His odd pattern of leg lift adds a wrinkle of complication to his delivery that could crop up during the season to dent his pitch command. There is a lot of projection built into his expectation, but I see him as a good number 3 - and I mean that as high praise, even if it falls short of current perception. (Doug Thorburn)
2014-01-29 19:00:00 (link to chat)Hey Ben,jumping two yeas from now,can you rank this group????Tanaka,Jon Gray,Danny Salazer,Patrick Corbin,D.J.Peterson,Alex Cobb,Matt Adams and Odor.. Thanks....
(John from Boston)		ALL of the ranking questions. In two years, let's go Gray, Tanaka, Salazar, Cobb, Corbin, Adams, Odor, Peterson (Ben Carsley)
2013-11-19 13:00:00 (link to chat)More less LABR settings, thinking of trading one year of $7 Matt Moore and one year of Alex Cobb at $2, for three years of $7 Gregory Polanco. Worth it?
(Roy Munson from 1978 Iowa state bowling champ)		I'd keep the two starters. (Bret Sayre)
2013-09-17 13:00:00 (link to chat)Did Chris Archer throw any change-ups tod....oh, nevermind. In all seriousness, can you explain the weirdness going on w/ Chris Archer & Alex Cobb? They have pretty much the same ERA, but Cobb(who doesn't have the explosive repertoire of Archer) has more Ks and Archer(who can be a "nibbler") has a lower WHIP. Also, if you were Andrew Friedman and had the opportunity to sign 1 of these 2 pitchers to a long-term deal...which would be your choice?
(jlarsen from Chicagoland)		Cobb has some deception working in his favor and his splitter > Archer's change. Making me pick one, eh? I'll go Archer on the upside. (Harry Pavlidis)
2013-05-07 13:00:00 (link to chat)In a dynasty league in which I'm competing, but I'm weak at SP, I can trade 2 prospect picks, Gerrit Cole, & Brian McCann for Chris Sale and Alex Cobb. I'm leaning no because I lurve me some Cole. Still, I have Carlos Santana, and with Josh Johnson, Halladay, & Haren all disappointing, I could use the help (Rest of staff is Medlen, Moore, Gallardo, Wainwright, and CC). Should I pull the trigger?
(Jim Clancy from Exhibition Stadium)		I love Cole, too, but if you're in contention to win this year, you do the deal. Prospect love kills folks in these leagues bc they get married to endless cycle of the future and then they want to compete now and have future assets. Just focus on now. I'd do the deal. (Paul Sporer)
2013-03-06 20:00:00 (link to chat)Do you have a couple starting pitchers in mind that might break out this season?
(Matt M from Malone, NY)		I do Matt from Malone. Alex Cobb, Lance Lynn, Iwakuma, Teheran, Wade Davis are some good late round names depending on your league size. (Paul Singman)
2013-03-06 20:00:00 (link to chat)The SP I will roster most this year is ________ because I see him as a breakout candidate relative to his ADP. The Hitter most rostered for same reasons is: _______?
(Donald Loria from Milwaukee)		I see myself owner lots of Alex Cobb and Andrew Cashner shares this year. Jacoby Ellsbury will also end up on a lot of my squads it seems. (Paul Singman)
2013-02-15 12:00:00 (link to chat)I love using BP's Player Forecast Manager as a major tool during a draft. In your opinion give a couple of players that PECOTA is too Bullish on as well as too Bearish
(rupertoooo from Lorton, VA)		I've been beating the Erasmo Ramirez drum all off-season but PECOTA isn't a fan; same with Alex Cobb. I think the 52 steals PECOTA has Bourn down for is a bit much given the fact Francona leans conservative in the running game. Alejandro de Aza's line surprises me as well. (Jason Collette)
2013-02-15 12:00:00 (link to chat)Looking for some late round starting pitching. Could you list 3-5 pitchers which fall outside the top 75 who could make the biggest jump this year.
(The Piranha from Arlington, VA)		Repeating Erasmo Ramirez, Hyun Kin Ryu, Clay Buchholz, Jason Hammel, and Alex Cobb. All 5 are out of the top 75 in the PFM right now (Jason Collette)
2013-02-15 12:00:00 (link to chat)In your opinion who may be a few pitchers outside the top 100-150 or so that will possibly take a leap forward or make a name for themselves in 2013 that could be possible steals at the end of some drafts?
(Chris from NJ)		Using the bottom 100 names from the PFM: Lucas Harrell, Nate Eovaldi, Chris Tillman, Alex Cobb, Jason Hammel (Jason Collette)
2013-02-15 12:00:00 (link to chat)One break-out hitter and pitcher in each league?
(Shawnykid23 from CT)		Alex Cobb & Justin Maxwell ; Marco Estrada/Logan Forsythe (Jason Collette)
2013-02-14 13:00:00 (link to chat)Name a couple of SP which fall outside the top 75 that could end up inside the top 50 this year.
(The Piranha from Amazon River)		Ricky Romero, Shelby Miller, a healthy Scott Baker, Alex Cobb, Marco Estrada (Paul Sporer)
2013-01-09 13:00:00 (link to chat)Outside of sifting through rumors, it seems that Rays fans are split between Chris Archer and Alex Cobb. Alex Cobb has consistency, a higher "floor" and MLB track-record. Archer, on the other hand, has a higher ceiling, better "stuff" but is inconsistent throughout majority of career. Archer made improvements to his command and has improved his change-up enough to where it's an avg pitch and not irrelevant anymore. If you had to decide between the 2, who would you choose?
(jlarsen from waukegan)		Nice "problem" to have for the Rays, eh? Why make a decision before you have to in my opinion. They are both going to contribute to the Rays in 2013, and they'll need both to climb back into the postseason. Plus, different answers for short term and long term. (Dan Evans)
2012-12-21 14:00:00 (link to chat)What is your opinion of Alex Cobb? He rarely gets any love, but has a nice ground ball rate and a pretty good K/9. Is it all smoke and mirrors from the defense behind him, or is he a good pitcher flying under the radar? Oh, I know have Soul Sacrifice in my head.
(Cowbell Guy from The Seat Next To Yours)		The cowbell is downstairs in the garage, with the drum kit, if you wanna grab a drumstick and channel your inner Gene Frenkle. Cobb has a lot of the fundamental elements that I look for in a pitcher, with strong balance and average momentum, but he still has some room for improvement with release-point consistency. The glove-side is soft and erratic at times, and he is the type of pitcher who rarely lines up his ideal timing yet usually comes pretty close - he misses often, but not by much. It certainly helps to have the Tampa defense behind him, but there is also room for growth.

On the jukebox: Slayer, "Seasons in the Abyss" (Doug Thorburn)
2012-11-15 14:00:00 (link to chat)Early speculation on some overvalued and undervalued players for next spring?
(Andrew from Las Vegas)		As much as I hate to say it, Mike Trout may well be overrated next year. I imagine there'll be some talk of him as number-one overall. In deep leagues, Josh Hamilton probably. Pitchers: Cueto, Miley, Harrison. Underrated, hmm, maybe Rajai Davis, Felix Doubront, Marco Estrada, Alex Cobb, and Mitch Moreland (again) (Derek Carty)
2012-10-18 13:00:00 (link to chat)Hello, old friend! James Shields, Jeff Niemann, Alex Torres, Cesar Ramos, Alex Cobb, Wade Davis or Chris Archer all likely not going to remain with the team past Winter Meetings, let alone Spring Training. How do the Rays better their roster, knowing there's a huge logjam of pitching and there's room for improvement offensively. James Shields kicked it up a notch after the deadline, but can the Rays withstand another horrible 1st half from him again?
(jlarsen from chicago)		I don't think Archer is going anywhere. Part of his problem was philosophical-he pitched off his slider more than he should. He seemed to solve those after getting a taste in the big leagues and realizing his fastball plays against the big boys. Otherwise, he doesn't fit the profile of someone they'd part with at this juncture in his career.

I do see Tampa Bay trading pitching. If you want a name I'd say Nick Hundley. San Diego has enough catching, in the majors and in the minors, to move him for value. He'd fit nicely on Tampa Bay's roster. I don't have a good feel for what the market at first base or DH will be like (if they don't bring back Luke Scott). Logan Morrison's name might pop up if Miami is tired of him. (R.J. Anderson)
2012-09-10 13:00:00 (link to chat)With Jeff Niemann's arm/shoulder always being a concern and being in arb. years, do you think that the Rays should cut bait on him and have Alex Cobb or Chris Archer face-off for the rotation spot in 2013?
(jlarsen from chicago)		His latest shoulder injury certainly makes it more difficult for Tampa Bay to deal him this winter, but I think he still has some value. He's pitched well in between DL stints this year and should fetch something in trade, though it'll be less than what he could have returned had he posted his 2012 numbers over 30 starts. (Bradley Ankrom)
2012-06-07 13:00:00 (link to chat)What would you like the Rays to do with Jeff Niemann when he returns from his injury/in 2013? Are you in Alex Cobb's camp at this point, or not convinced he's a viable replacement?
(Marc from The Internet)		Trade him, provided a team is offering fair value. Niemann's shoulder health has concerned me for years, and I don't think you can rely upon him for more than 20-25 starts. That has value, of course, but he seems to get overrated in circles by people who say, "If he ever stays healthy." The problem being that he might never stay healthy.

Cobb is a fine replacement for Niemann. (R.J. Anderson)
2011-08-11 13:00:00 (link to chat)Derek, gotta admit I was worried when Marc left, but you've continued to make fantasy coverage a bright spot for the site. Wondering about which call-ups over the next few weeks you think will have the biggest fantasy impact. Specifically, players like Montero who haven't been called up yet and may still be available. Thanks.
(DanDaMan from The Vineyard)		Thanks, Dan. I really appreciate the kind words.

We've seen most of the big names called up over the past couple weeks with guys like Goldschmidt, Lawrie, Trayon Robinson, and others getting the call. A few others still left in the minors that could prove valuable are Montero, Leonys Martin, Brett Jackson (if he continues hitting), Brad Peacock, Devin Mesoraco (if someone gets injured in Cincy), and maybe Matt Moore, especially with Alex Cobb done for the year. (Derek Carty)
2011-05-26 13:00:00 (link to chat)How do you think Niemann will do once activated from the DL? If he's still pitching like he was before the DL, do you see the Rays making a promotion from someone in AAA, or stay with Sonnanstine?
(DaPriceIsRight from Republic of Congo)		Niemann probably won't be ready for another two-to-three weeks, if then, and I couldn't tell you if he'll be better than before when he returns. At this point, I'm not sure even they can justify running Sonnanstine out there. He lost his best asset and just doesn't look like a major league quality starter anymore. Maybe Alex Cobb and Alex Torres aren't ready, but gee, it doesn't feel like they could pitch much worse. (R.J. Anderson)
2011-04-18 13:00:00 (link to chat)Who makes the majors first: Alex Cobb or Alex Torres? Thoughts on either?
(Michael from Tampa)		Fun question. Will touch on this in an article soon. (Kevin Goldstein)


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PITCHf/x Pitcher Profile

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


Although he has not thrown an MLB pitch in 2024, Alex Cobb threw 21,258 pitches that were tracked by the PITCHf/x system between 2011 and 2023, all of them occuring in Spring Training. In 2023, he relied primarily on his Sinker (94mph) and Splitter (89mph), also mixing in a Curve (83mph) and Slider (86mph). He also rarely threw a Fourseam Fastball (95mph).