Drafted in the 7th round (204th overall) by the Los Angeles Angels in 2023 (signed for $256,400).
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The 6-foot-3 corner infielder enjoyed a breakout season for the Horned Frogs, hitting .352 with 21 doubles and 14 home runs. While he manned first base this season, he has experience over at third base which is where he could be used professionally. Fontelle has a physical frame and demonstrated the ability to drive the ball to either gap. He hammers fastballs with an in-zone contact rate of 86% and is a high-floor college bat.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
BA Grade: 40/High
Track Record: Fontenelle began his collegiate career at Washington then transferred to McLennan JC in Texas before settling at Texas Christian in 2023, his draft year. He was a key figure in the Horned Frogs’ postseason run, batting .352 with a 1.112 OPS. The Angels liked Fontenelle’s performance and tools, drafting him in the seventh round that year. He hit well after the draft but blossomed into a prospect after a strong showing at 2024 spring training. Assigned to Double-A Rocket City this year, his season ended after 22 games with a leg injury.
Scouting Report: Fontenelle is a wiry 6-foot-3, 205-pound corner infielder. He is a switch-hitter whose swing is more natural from the right side. Starting with a simple load, he fires his hands through the zone with good bat speed to produce solid-average power. He’s shown good hitting ability from the right side with full zone coverage and barrel manipulation; he is longer and more explosive from the left side. An average runner with athletic strides, Fontenelle is quick out of the box and aggressive on the basepaths, taking the extra base when warranted. After playing first base exclusively at TCU in deference to Rays first-rounder Braden Taylor and 2024 draft prospect Anthony Silva, Fontenelle returned to third base in pro ball and has shown fundamental hands and fine athleticism with a strong arm.
The Future: Fontenelle suffered a season-ending leg injury that required emergency surgery in May and will not see the field until 2025. With his blend of offensive tools and defensive versatility, he fits a corner bench profile once he returns to the diamond.
A three-sport high school athlete, Fontenelle might be the best prep hitter in the Northwest in the 2020 class. He was a member of the 2019 Area Code team, but had to play out of position at first base on the club for the first time, and handled himself well. A shortstop for his high school team, Fontenelle moves well for his size—he’s listed at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds—but might be a better long-term fit at third base. He’s a below-average runner who might not have the short-area quickness or range necessary for shortstop, but he has solid hands and above-average arm strength. While Fontenelle isn’t overflowing with tools, he has an impressive feel to hit from both sides and a frame that could easily grow into power in a few years. If Fontenelle makes it to campus at Washington, he could develop into a well-rounded middle-of-the-order type hitter. Without getting scouted much at all this spring thanks to the shortened 2020 season, that could be a possibility.
Career Transactions
Rocket City Trash Pandas placed 3B Cole Fontenelle on the 60-day injured list.
3B Cole Fontenelle assigned to Rocket City Trash Pandas.
3B Cole Fontenelle assigned to Inland Empire 66ers from ACL Angels.
3B Cole Fontenelle assigned to Inland Empire 66ers from ACL Angels.
3B Cole Fontenelle assigned to ACL Angels.
Los Angeles Angels signed 3B Cole Fontenelle.
SS Cole Fontenelle assigned to TCU Horned Frogs.
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