Magdiel
Cotto

After playing his freshman season at South Carolina, Cotto transferred to Kentucky where he went 3-1, 6.06 with 36 strikeouts and 19 walks in 32.2 innings last spring. A physical specimen at 6-2, 245 pounds, Cotto did not pitch during the SIU weekend series, but did pitch midweek against Ohio, allowing one hit in one scoreless inning. At his best Cotto will run his fastball into the upper-90s and flash a sharp mid-80s slider. His third pitch is a developing changeup at 87-88 mph. Overall, Cotto’s command and arsenal are best suited for the bullpen. For the season, the left-hander has thrown just 4.2 innings, allowed just two hits and struck out five against no walks.

Cape Cod: A blue-chip recruit for South Carolina two years ago, Cotto logged just 8.2 innings as a freshman in 2021 and then transferred to Kentucky, where he went 3-1, 6.06 with 36 strikeouts but 19 walks in 32.2 innings this spring. He made a big step forward during his all-star summer on the Cape, going 2-1, 2.66 with 29 strikeouts, as well as a much-improved walk rate (12 BB in 27 IP). A physical specimen at 6-2, 245 pounds, Cotto showed the most velocity of any pitcher at the all-star game, touching 96 mph and backing it up with a sharp mid-80s slider in his scoreless inning of work. He showed the ability to hold 94-96 heat as a starter this summer and bumped 97 in shorter stints, and as the summer progressed he started doing a better job incorporating his slider into his attack, showing an improved ability to land it for a strike in addition to using it as a chase pitch. Cotto's third pitch is a developing changeup at 87-88 mph. His command and arsenal are best suited for the bullpen at this stage, but Cotto still has plenty of untapped potential and could still blossom into an impact starter and bolster his draft stock in 2023.

6-foot-3, 225-pound South Carolina commit. The lefty sat 87-90 out of an effortless delivery with a very clean arm action. Currently the fastball is flat, but Cotto's high 3/4 arm slot will allow him to manipulate the baseball in the future to add some movement. Currently throws a curveball and slider that have similar shape with both pitches sitting in the upper 70s. Eventually the two pitches will likely meld into one or the other with the potential to throw a cutter off of his fastball. Cotto's changeup was an above average offering sitting 79-81 with sink and arm-side run. Look for additional velocity from Cotto as he grows into his projectable frame and adds functional strength.