Uncommitted Spotlight: 2021 RHP Cole Roberts
January 27, 2021
The 2021 and 2022 classes has received the brunt of the recruiting restrictions created by the Covid-19 virus with a higher volume of projectable, uncommitted players heading into their junior than ever before. Nevada is no different with the unusual wealth of talent still available throughout the state and we will now be spotlighting players throughout the Scout Day Season that you can look out for in upcoming PBR events.
One of the top arms remaining in the 2021 class, right hander Cole Roberts, worked his way up the PBR Player Rankings after a successful summer and his performance at the Nevada Top Prospect in August. At the event, he ran his fastball up to 89 mph while sitting 86-89 throughout paired with a breaking ball that usually has 11/5 shape, but does flash the sweeping action when he drops his arm slot down. Roberts does not fit your prototypical pitcher build at 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, but he looseness and speed of the arm should clear up any questions on if he can get it on the mound at the next level. Along with his projectable arm action, his velocity trends have been something to keep in mind as well where at the Desert Oasis Scout Day in January 2020, he sat 80-81 mph and eight months later, he made a +8 mph velocity jump eight months later in August. This increased velocity and command of his two pitch mix has earned him a spot near the top of the Desert Oasis rotation along with Arizona signee, Reed Schaefer. Keep Roberts on your radar with the Las Vegas Aces Scout Day coming up and the 2021 Spring season in the wake.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| Mountain West Scout Day | NV | 01/28 | Burkholder Park |
| Golden Spikes Scout Day | NV | 02/04 | Heritage Park |
| NSA Scout Day | NV | 02/09 | Heritage Park |
| Las Vegas Rams Scout Days | NV | 02/16 | Heritage Park |
| Nevada Athletics Scout Day | NV | 02/17 | Doc Romeo Park |
| Las Vegas Aces Scout Day (Session 1) | NV | 02/18 | Heritage Park |
| Rawlings Tigers Scout Day | NV | 02/22 | Rainbow Family Park |
| Las Vegas Aces Scout Day (Session 2) | NV | 02/23 | Heritage Park |
| Sierra Vista Scout Day | NV | 02/25 | Heritage Park |
| Bishop Manogue Scout Day | NV | 02/27 | Bishop Manogue High School |
| Reno Knights Scout Day | NV | 02/27 | Bishop Manogue High School |
| McQueen Lancers Scout Day | NV | 02/28 | Bishop Manogue High School |
| Sparks Blue Sox Scout Day | NV | 02/28 | Bishop Manogue High School |
| Bases Loaded Elite Scout Day | NV | 03/03 | Doc Romeo Park |
| The Meadows Scout Day | NV | 03/07 | The Meadows |
Scouting Report
Profile: 5-foot-10, 185 pounds. Stocky, strong build. Uses his lower half extremely well. An arm that has seen significant improvement, a +8 mph jump since January. Roberts is a competitor on the mound with a two pitch mix that he has the confidence to throw either pitch in any count.
Delivery: Stretch only. Comes set in a squatted, athletic position. Loads into his back leg, raising up into a chest high leg kick then sinking into a drop and drive delivery. Lands slightly across his body. Falls towards 1B side in his follow through.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, quick arm. 3/4 arm slot. Repeats well on each of his pitch.
FB: Max 89. Sat 87-89 mph. Avg. Spin Rate - 2146 RPM. Ball jumps out of his hand. Some arm side action. Effectively wild around the zone.
CB: 71-73 mph. Avg. Spin Rate - 2179 RPM. Late action. Varies between 11/5 and 10/4 shape. Can use in any count.