Cole Percival

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #373 prospect in 2020 draft
  A top draft prospect in high school, Percival fell to the D-backs in the 31st round because of his strong commitment to UC Riverside to play for his dad, Highlanders coach and former all-star closer Troy Percival. The younger Percival missed all of 2019 after a freak injury where he suffered a stress fracture in his elbow falling down a flight of stairs, but he returned at full strength this spring before the season shut down. Percival throws his fastball 92-94 mph with angle and sink from his long-limbed, 6-foot-5 frame. It’s a plus fastball when he stays on top of it, but he occasionally gets around the ball and it loses its effectiveness. Percival complements his fastball with a 78-82 mph slider that shows average potential and a usable, if inconsistent, 79-81 mph changeup. Percival pitches from the stretch full time and has below-average control because he struggles to repeat his delivery. As such, most evaluators project him to the bullpen. Percival has added velocity every year and stands to gain more with a move to the bullpen. While not considered a potentially elite closer like his dad, Percival’s body and stuff project well as a big league reliever.
• Ranked #442 prospect in 2017 draft
  The son of former big league closer Troy Percival kept sprouting in high school, from 6-foot-2 as a sophomore to 6-foot-4 as a junior to 6-foot-6 as a senior. Once he stopped growing he finally gained some command, drawing attention from evaluators. Percival is long-limbed and high-waisted in his thin, projectable frame and throws his fastball 88-90 mph downhill with ease. His top secondary is a potentially plus changeup he throws with the same arm speed and draws foolish swings from polished hitters. He shows potential to spin an average curveball but is still learning to master the pitch. Percival's bloodlines, body, stuff and improved command have evaluators' interest piqued, but he is committed to play for his dad at UC Riverside and widely expected to honor that commitment.