Chris Kohler Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Christopher Ryan Kohler
Born 05/04/1995 in Fontana, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Los Osos
Drafted in the SUP round (106th overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2013 (signed for $486,600).

View Draft Report

Kohler committed to Southern California as a hitter before his sophomore season, but he established himself as a better prospect on the mound and wound up signing with Oklahoma. He struggled with his command out of the gate this spring but has been better in the second half. His fastball sat at 85-90 mph early but ranged from 88-91 closer to the draft. Kohler has a loose arm and could add velocity as he grows into his 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame. A wrap in the back of his delivery inhibits his command but adds deception, helping him miss bats with his fringe-average heater. He has good feel for a curveball with tight spin and 1-to-7 break, and it projects as an average pitch. His changeup has fade and could give him another average pitch if he can repeat it more consistently. Kohler is a dogged competitor on the mound and has plenty of athleticism. Some scouts still prefer him as a hitter, but as a projectable lefty with feel for three pitches, his future is on the mound.

Top Rankings

Kohler spent most of his time growing up as a position player. By his own admission, he didn't start thinking of himself as more of a pitcher than hitter until his junior year of high school. His future is most certainly on the mound, though. The Athletics used the compensation pick they received for not signing 2012 third-rounder Kyle Twomey to take Kohler 106th overall in 2013, then signed him away from an Oklahoma commitment for $486,600. He pitches with a 90-92 mph fastball, touching 93, and has room to add strength to his frame and velocity. What he lacks in power he makes up for with aptitude and his secondary stuff. His 1-to-7 curveball has the potential to be a plus pitch down the road, and he has good feel for his changeup. Kohler has a polished delivery and a level of pitchability well beyond his years. He has confidence in all his pitches and will use them in any count. He already shows he can fill the zone and could develop true plus command. If Kohler does add some velocity, he could have a very high ceiling. The A's won't rush him, but he looks advanced enough to handle an assignment to low Class A Beloit in 2014.

Kohler committed to Southern California as a hitter before his sophomore season, but he established himself as a better prospect on the mound and wound up signing with Oklahoma. He struggled with his command out of the gate this spring but has been better in the second half. His fastball sat at 85-90 mph early but ranged from 88-91 closer to the draft. Kohler has a loose arm and could add velocity as he grows into his 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame. A wrap in the back of his delivery inhibits his command but adds deception, helping him miss bats with his fringe-average heater. He has good feel for a curveball with tight spin and 1-to-7 break, and it projects as an average pitch. His changeup has fade and could give him another average pitch if he can repeat it more consistently. Kohler is a dogged competitor on the mound and has plenty of athleticism. Some scouts still prefer him as a hitter, but as a projectable lefty with feel for three pitches, his future is on the mound.