Cole Foster Stats & Scouting Report

AB	219
AVG	.247
OBP	.336
SLG	.37
HR	3

Full name Cole Thompson Foster
Born 10/08/2001 in Plano, TX
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 193 / Bats: S / Throws: R
School Auburn
Drafted in the 3rd round (85th overall) by the San Francisco Giants in 2023 (signed for $747,500).

View Draft Report

School: Auburn Source: 4YR

Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.8
BA Grade:40/High
Tools:Hit: 45. Power: 45. Run: 50. Field: 50. Arm: 50.

Foster had plenty of admirers in high school thanks to a refined swing from both sides of the plate and advanced defensive instincts. He ranked as the No. 112 player in the 2020 class, but made it to campus at Auburn, where he played in just 15 games in 2021 and had a career year in 2023 after a solid 2022 campaign. This spring, Foster hit .336/.429/.570 with 13 home runs, 13 doubles, a 19% strikeout rate and 11.4% walk rate. The 6-foot-1, 193-pound shortstop has solid raw power from both sides of the plate, but accesses his power much more consistently from the left side of the plate in games even though he’s had better overall performance from the right side. Foster has a fringy overall pure hit tool thanks to an overly aggressive approach at times and a decent amount of swing-and-miss. He has the tools to play all over the field, and slid from second base to shortstop this spring with fine supplemental tools as an average runner and steady defender with a solid arm. He’ll likely stick at shortstop in pro ball until someone pushes him off the position, at which point he could provide value as a utility infielder with some pop and switch-hitting capabilities.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade: 40/High

Track Record: Foster spent three seasons at Auburn, including a 2023 campaign that saw him club a career-best 13 home runs. The Giants took Foster in the third round and signed him for a bonus of $747,500. He split his pro debut between Rookie ball and Low-A and hit seven home runs.

Scouting Report: The Giants were drawn to Foster for his combination of athleticism, power and middle-diamond skills. He’s a more powerful hitter from the left side but a more complete hitter when batting righthanded and could stand to improve his swing decisions overall. He needs to tighten his approach to cut down on his swing-and-miss and better learn to use the whole field. Foster is a solid shortstop but has trouble getting to balls hit to his right. He has short-area quickness and is an average runner but will have to learn to take better angles to reach grounders hit his way.

The Future: After finishing the year at Low-A, Foster may return to the level in 2024 or could head to High-A Eugene. No matter the assignment, he’ll need to improve his zone control and polish his defense.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

Draft Prospects

School: Auburn Source: 4YR

Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.8
BA Grade:40/High
Tools:Hit: 45. Power: 45. Run: 50. Field: 50. Arm: 50.

Foster had plenty of admirers in high school thanks to a refined swing from both sides of the plate and advanced defensive instincts. He ranked as the No. 112 player in the 2020 class, but made it to campus at Auburn, where he played in just 15 games in 2021 and had a career year in 2023 after a solid 2022 campaign. This spring, Foster hit .336/.429/.570 with 13 home runs, 13 doubles, a 19% strikeout rate and 11.4% walk rate. The 6-foot-1, 193-pound shortstop has solid raw power from both sides of the plate, but accesses his power much more consistently from the left side of the plate in games even though he’s had better overall performance from the right side. Foster has a fringy overall pure hit tool thanks to an overly aggressive approach at times and a decent amount of swing-and-miss. He has the tools to play all over the field, and slid from second base to shortstop this spring with fine supplemental tools as an average runner and steady defender with a solid arm. He’ll likely stick at shortstop in pro ball until someone pushes him off the position, at which point he could provide value as a utility infielder with some pop and switch-hitting capabilities.
Foster is an area scout favorite because he has a refined swing from both sides of the plate and the game never speeds up on him.The Auburn signee is a fringe-average runner, but he maye be able to stay at shortstop because he has an excellent internal clock, solid actions and a strong, accurate plus arm. Foster’s bat is his best asset. He consistently catches up to good velocity and rarely gets fooled. He’s a plus hitter with fringe-average power. It may be tough to convince Foster to forgo his college commitment as a third-to-fourth round pick, but if he does get to school, it won’t be a surprise if he plays his way into being an even higher pick in a few years.

Career Transactions

Eugene Emeralds activated SS Cole Foster from the 7-day injured list.
Eugene Emeralds placed SS Cole Foster on the 7-day injured list.
SS Cole Foster assigned to Eugene Emeralds from San Jose Giants.
San Jose Giants activated SS Cole Foster from the 7-day injured list.
San Jose Giants placed SS Cole Foster on the 7-day injured list retroactive to May 20, 2024.
SS Cole Foster assigned to ACL Giants Black.
San Francisco Giants signed SS Cole Foster.