Jackson Cox

If you’re a fan of high-spin, knee-buckling breaking balls, Jackson Cox might be the prospect for you. The 6-foot-1, 182-pound righthander showed some of the best feel to spin a breaking ball over the showcase circuit last summer, while also running his fastball up to 95 mph. That fastball/curveball combination made him a top-three round talent in the industry, but he’s improved that stock further this spring and been heavily scouted in the Pacific Northwest. Cox cleaned up his body and added strength over the offseason and that translated to increased velocity. He has pitched in the 92-95 mph range and ran his fastball up to 98 at peak. He’s continued to snap off one of the better breaking balls scouts have seen, a short, tight and late-biting curveball in the 79-83 mph range that starts on plane with his fastball and then just disappears. It gets up into the 3,000 rpm range and has earned double-plus future grades as a potential wipeout offering. Cox has also thrown a low-to-mid-80s changeup that could become an average offering with more refinement. While Cox is a bit undersized, he is athletic with a fast arm and still has a bit more physical projection remaining. He has a short, striding delivery that could be cleaned up a bit as well, but overall scouts have been impressed with his command and he could develop above-average control. Cox is committed to Oregon but is a clear top-two round talent and could sneak into the first.