Jharel Cotton almost perfect, credits Nashville pitching coach for new found success

Phil Gurnee ♦ August 10, 2016 ♦ 1 Comment

Jharel Cotton was traded on August 1st to the Oakland A’s, and in his second start for his new organization pitched the greatest game of his career coming within one out of a perfect game.  It was also probably the greatest game pitched in the minor leagues this year.

Baseball America did a small write up:

Jharel Cotton, rhp, Athletics. Cotton, part of the package that headed to Oakland for Josh Reddick and Rich Hill, came within one out Tuesday of a perfect game against Triple-A Round Rock before veteran Doug Bernier tripled in the ninth. Still, the Virgin Islands native finished with a one-hitter and a career-high 12 strikeouts in Nashville’s 3-0 win. Cotton now leads the PCL with 136 strikeouts in 112 2/3 innings. Cotton said he has worked with Nashville pitching coach Rick Rodriguez on his mechanics and now feels like he has more deception.

MiLB has the full report:

“Well, last night I was feeling sick and I woke up with a cold this morning. I took some DayQuil on an empty stomach, and it was the same thing again. It took my mind off the game itself, so I wasn’t anxious or nervous for the game all day because I just wanted to feel better.”

Before Cotton was traded by the Dodgers, MLB had ranked him as the Dodgers 13th top prospect.