Tyler
Cotten

Physical catcher with athleticism. Displayed some hand strength handling two top end arms. Throws to second displayed plenty of carry and were fairly accurate around the bag. At the plate Cotten has a balanced athletic setup, level path to contact, and finishes the lower half with some aggression. Has some pull side power in the swing and barrel stays in zone on contact. Had some long foul balls to the pull side early in the first game and then used the middle and backside of the field in some following at bats. 

VA/DC Scout Blog

We scout blogged Cotten a few weeks ago and he continues to get better. Power to the pullside and is a workhorse behind the plate. Had a few hits through the left side of the infield and showed some speed and athleticism out of the box. Cotten is a strong physical presence offensively and defensively for the Clippers and should only get better.

VA/DC Scout Blog

Strong physical frame standing around 5-foot-11. Continues to impress offensively and defensively. Defensively he handled the workload on the day. There were a lot of 59-foot breaking balls on the day, so Cotten got plenty of blocking work in. Did a nice job of handling the running game, as he threw a missile backside on a double steal with the runner sliding around the tag. Throws showed carry and were in line. Offensively he had a nice day with multiple quality at bats working deep in counts and getting two hits with his first at bat resulting in a hard line drive over the third baseman. Cotten's final at bat of the day resulted in a RBI single down the third-base line. Cannot miss 2020 prospect this spring that could have a big year at Grafton.

Preseason All-State II

Cotten is 5-11 with an athletic frame that has some projection left to it. He hits from the right side from an athletic open stance, short stride on line, loads back with a slight wrap, hips rotate completely with violence, and he maintains some balance during his swing. Short path and very fast bat, explosive batspeed and good strength at contact with extension through the ball. Showed good approach working gap to gap, slightly uphill line drive swing has natural loft to it, doubles power to all fields present with potential for more, exit velocity was 89. Behind the plate, receives with a wide base and presents a good strike, shows sway behind the ball and works down to up well. Gains ground towards second during a quick, clean exchange. Throws from a three-quarters arm slot, short arm action, position velocity was 79 and pop times were 1.96-2.03.

Preseason All-State I

Strong physical frame at 5-foot-11, 205-pounds. Hits from the right side from an athletic slightly open stance. Strides on line with a small pick up to put down. Hands load back with a slight bat wrap. Hands are quick and strong through the zone and bat has a uphill tilt showing some gap to gap power with an exit velo of 90 mph. Lower half finishes with some aggression to a high finish. Feet are quick behind the plate with a small jab step getting in line to a quick exchange. Arm action is quick with arm speed throwing from a high three-quarter arm slot at 79 mph. Throws showed carry with pop times ranging from 1.99-2.09. Had a quick Home-1st time for a catcher at 4.26 which displayed Cotten’s high level of athleticism.

Top Prospect Games II

Cotten is 5-11 with an athletic frame that has some projection left to it. He hits from the right side from a slightly open athletic stance, short stride on line, smooth load back, hips rotate with some violence and he maintains some balance during his swing, has some rhythm. Short to ball with good extension through it, strength at contact, showed good approach using middle of field, level line drive swing with potential to add power as he gets stronger, exit velocity was 86. Behind the plate, quick clean exchange. Throws from a three-quarters arm slot with a short arm action, position velocity was 80, pop times were 1.95-2.01, some accuracy to his throws.

Preseason All-State

Cotten is 5-10 with an athletic frame, he hits from the right side from a slightly open athletic stance. Short leg kick stride on line, loads back and wraps. Explosive hips and good balance throughout swing, good rhythm. Short path, gets barrel to ball in a hurry, good extension through the ball. Level line drive swing, showed good approach working gap to gap, should have doubles power with potential for more, exit velocity was 89. Clean exchange, gains ground towards second. Throws from three-quarters arm slot, short quick arm action. Pop times were 2.09-2.16 and position velocity was 78. Showed speed running a 4.19 home to first.