Boston Red Sox Prospects: Kole Cottam promoted to Triple-A

Boston Red Sox prospect Kole Cottam promoted to Triple-A

On Friday it was announced that Boston Red Sox catching prospect Kole Cottam was promoted to Triple-A.

The Red Sox have an extremely exciting group of catchers in the minor leagues. You have Ronaldo Hernandez hitting everything in Triple-A, and Connor Wong putting up numbers as well.

Nathan Hickey has hit himself into High-A. Yorberto Mejicano has been great in Low-A and Jose Garcia just made a ridiculous play the other day. Meanwhile, Elih Marrero is a defensive wonder who doesn’t let people steal on him in Double-A. Stephen Scott has been killing it since his promotion to Double-A as well.

Possibly the most “unsung” of the group is Kole Cottam though. Cottam came into the system as an offensive catcher out of Kentucky (by way Knoxville). It didn’t take him long to showcase that offensive potential either.

However, something happened during that COVID year. When the minor leagues didn’t have a season, it was interesting to wonder what the players were doing. Most suddenly had to train alone (or at least away from a full team setting). So how would they train and what would they work on?

I don’t know exactly what Cottam did, but when he came back in 2021 we saw a different catcher. The offense was still there, absolutely. But suddenly he was a dude behind the plate. One of the most improved defensively in the entire system – at any position.

Cottam had drastically improved his game-calling and pitch framing. He was blocking the plate better, and making strong throws.

This (coupled with a great season at the plate in High-A) led to a promotion to Double-A during the 2021 season. That’s where he started 2022.

Admittedly, Cottam’s been pretty unlucky this season. He holds a solid .271/.350/.380 slash line with 15 doubles, two triples, and two home runs in Double-A this year. The right-handed hitter has driven in 26 runs and scored 27 more.

Definitely not bad numbers. But wow has he had a lot of hard-hit balls not work out for him. Diving plays by the third basemen, leaping plays by second basemen. And quite a few times where he hit the top of walls on absolute missiles that would’ve been out at nearly any park except wherever he was that day.

Even with that though, the numbers are great. The home runs aren’t there. But he’s hitting the ball hard so it’s not a real concern. And the 25-year-old is incredible when it comes to using the entire field when hitting. He’ll gladly take what the pitcher and defense are giving him. Professional hitter.

Cottam has become so well-rounded. He’s even spent some time at first base and wasted zero time proving he can work there too. Showing of his glove work there with some impressive stretches and scoops.

It will be interesting to see how Cottam is used in Triple-A. He could see some time at catcher and first. What we do know is that it likely won’t matter. The mustached marvel will make a difference with his bat while opening some eyes with his defense.

Cottam told me the promotion doesn’t change his goals for the season. He just wants to help whichever team he is on win as much as possible, and to make the most out of every opportunity.

He did just that in his first Triple-A game. Playing catcher, Cottam went 1-for-4 with a double and impressed behind the plate.

This is an extremely deserved promotion and it’s great to know that Kole Cottam will have more eyes on him. A great player, and by all accounts a great teammate. Someone that Boston Red Sox will absolutely fall in love with.