Drafted in the 2nd round (50th overall) by the Colorado Rockies in 2022 (signed for $1,850,000).
View Draft Report
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.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
BA Grade: 50/Extreme
Track Record: Heading into the 2022 draft, Cox was viewed as one of the higher upside prep arms in the class thanks to a high-spin breaking ball that dominated prep competition. The Rockies selected Cox in the second round and signed him for $1.85 million. Cox debuted the following May with Low-A Fresno and made nine starts. Cox suffered an elbow injury in July and had Tommy John surgery. He will miss all of the 2024 season.
Scouting Report: Cox mixes five pitches: a four-seam fastball, curveball, slider, changeup and cutter. He leans primarily on his fastball and curveball and mixes his other secondaries when necessary. Cox’s fastball sits between 93-94 mph and touches 96 mph with above-average ride and late life through the zone. Cox shows command of the pitch, but it did not miss bats in his debut. His most-thrown secondary is his signature curveball, a hellacious two-plane breaking ball with spin rates between 2,800-3,000 rpm. Cox’s slider is a mid-80s sweeper and is used roughly as often as his upper-80s changeup and low-90s cutter. Cox’s strike-throwing is below-average but should improve as he gets healthy and gains professional experience.
The Future: Cox has a wide range of outcomes but the upside of a No. 4 starter.
Track Record: A high-upside prep talent out of the Pacific Northwest, Cox features a hellacious, high-spin breaking ball that kept prep hitters' knees buckling throughout his draft summer. Heading into his junior season, Cox added strength and cleaned up his operation and saw sizable stuff gains. He had heavy top three-round buzz leading up to draft day. The Rockies selected Cox in the second round with the No. 50 overall pick and signed him for $1,850,000. Cox was rested following the draft and will officially debut in 2023.
Scouting Report: Cox is capable of reaching elite spin rates on his fastball and has one of the arguable best breaking balls in the 2022 prep class. Cox has a projectable, athletic build and should add size without sacrificing his athleticism. He deploys a short, fast arm action and slings the ball from a traditional three-quarters slot. Cox needs to clean up some elements of his delivery, particularly when it come to the consistency of his plant foot. Cox's fastball sits between 92-95 mph and has peaked at 98 mph with heavy sink. His curveball is a potentially plus pitch which sits between 79-83 mph, averages 3,000 rpm of spin and displays deep two-plane break. His mid-80s changeup is fringy but could reach average with further development. Cox commands his entire arsenal well, hinting at potential above-average command at peak.
The Future: Cox is the type of high-upside prep arm the Rockies haven't targeted in years. He's a high-variance prospect with a midrotation ceiling and should debut at Low-A in 2023.
School: Toutle Lake HS, Toutle, Wash. Committed/Drafted: Oregon Age At Draft: 18.8 BA Grade: 55/Extreme Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 65 | Slider: - | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: | Control: 55 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.
Scouting Reports
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
Track Record: A high-upside prep talent out of the Pacific Northwest, Cox features a hellacious, high-spin breaking ball that kept prep hitters' knees buckling throughout his draft summer. Heading into his junior season, Cox added strength and cleaned up his operation and saw sizable stuff gains. He had heavy top three-round buzz leading up to draft day. The Rockies selected Cox in the second round with the No. 50 overall pick and signed him for $1,850,000. Cox was rested following the draft and will officially debut in 2023.
Scouting Report: Cox is capable of reaching elite spin rates on his fastball and has one of the arguable best breaking balls in the 2022 prep class. Cox has a projectable, athletic build and should add size without sacrificing his athleticism. He deploys a short, fast arm action and slings the ball from a traditional three-quarters slot. Cox needs to clean up some elements of his delivery, particularly when it come to the consistency of his plant foot. Cox's fastball sits between 92-95 mph and has peaked at 98 mph with heavy sink. His curveball is a potentially plus pitch which sits between 79-83 mph, averages 3,000 rpm of spin and displays deep two-plane break. His mid-80s changeup is fringy but could reach average with further development. Cox commands his entire arsenal well, hinting at potential above-average command at peak.
The Future: Cox is the type of high-upside prep arm the Rockies haven't targeted in years. He's a high-variance prospect with a midrotation ceiling and should debut at Low-A in 2023.
Track Record: A high-upside prep talent out of the Pacific Northwest, Cox features a hellacious, high-spin breaking ball that kept prep hitters' knees buckling throughout his draft summer. Heading into his junior season, Cox added strength and cleaned up his operation and saw sizable stuff gains. He had heavy top three-round buzz leading up to draft day. The Rockies selected Cox in the second round with the No. 50 overall pick and signed him for $1,850,000. Cox was rested following the draft and will officially debut in 2023.
Scouting Report: Cox is capable of reaching elite spin rates on his fastball and has one of the arguable best breaking balls in the 2022 prep class. Cox has a projectable, athletic build and should add size without sacrificing his athleticism. He deploys a short, fast arm action and slings the ball from a traditional three-quarters slot. Cox needs to clean up some elements of his delivery, particularly when it come to the consistency of his plant foot. Cox's fastball sits between 92-95 mph and has peaked at 98 mph with heavy sink. His curveball is a potentially plus pitch which sits between 79-83 mph, averages 3,000 rpm of spin and displays deep two-plane break. His mid-80s changeup is fringy but could reach average with further development. Cox commands his entire arsenal well, hinting at potential above-average command at peak.
The Future: Cox is the type of high-upside prep arm the Rockies haven't targeted in years. He's a high-variance prospect with a midrotation ceiling and should debut at Low-A in 2023.
August Update: 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 signed with the Rockies in the second round for $1,850,000.
Career Transactions
Fresno Grizzlies placed RHP Jackson Cox on the 60-day injured list.
Fresno Grizzlies placed RHP Jackson Cox on the 7-day injured list.
RHP Jackson Cox assigned to Fresno Grizzlies from ACL Rockies.
RHP Jackson Cox assigned to Fresno Grizzlies from ACL Rockies.
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