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The Houston Astros are not exactly loaded with fantasy baseball pitching prospects. The team’s rotation has consistently been one of the worst in the majors over the last several seasons and fantasy owners have simply avoided them. However, one of the team’s young hurlers worth remembering in dynasty league circles is SP Jarred Cosart.
Cosart was included in a trade for OF Hunter Pence, but he has quickly become the forgotten piece of the deal, while Pence has been busy winning championships in the City by the Bay. It doesn’t mean that the fireballer doesn’t have long-term value though.
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The right-hander has been dealing in Triple-A Oklahoma City this season and it was just announced that he has been named to the All-Star game in the Pacific Coast League. Cosart has a 7-4 record with a 2.98 ERA and has held opposing hitters to a meager .205 batting average. In 87.2 innings of work, the righty has struck out 90 batters while walking just 43.
The starter has an amazing slider that averages between 94-97 MPH and it has even been known to top out at 99 MPH. His slider is an extremely effective tool to induce ground ball outs and it also makes Cosart well above-average at keeping the ball inside the park. Most starters obviously have an amazing fastball, but when a guy has a secondary pitch like this, it only helps him get to the show that much quicker.
JC has a very live arm and has the potential to become an exceptional strikeout pitcher. Cosart may not be a 200-200 guy in the majors, but he should certainly be able to give fantasy owners 180-180 each full season.
Adam McGill is the Senior Fantasy Sports Writer at Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @adammcgill83, like him on Facebook, or add him to you networks on Google here or here.
