Hunter Cole Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Hunter Aaron Cole
Born 10/03/1992 in Spartanburg, SC
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Georgia
Drafted in the 26th round (778th overall) by the San Francisco Giants in 2014 (signed for $150,000).

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Cole has not developed as scouts hoped and some of his tools have backed up despite his steady offensive production for three years at Georgia. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder is a good all-around athlete with solid tools and a strong, toned build. Cole has transitioned to third base this season after playing the outfield, and some scouts think he could fill a utility role in pro ball or return to the outfield. While his arm gets average to above-average grades from the outfield, it has played closer to fringe-average to average in the infield. He is a below-average runner who is better under way. He has plus raw power, but his lack of power production adds to questions about his profile. He has average bat speed and some stiffness to his swing. Cole has focused more on hitting for average than hitting for power this season and scouts believe his bat has a chance to play. He has struck out in 22 percent of his career plate appearances and struggled with breaking stuff.

Top Rankings

Cole has been prepping for a utility role for years. He spent two years at college playing in the outfield, but when Georgia needed a third baseman he moved to the dirt and handled the position with few issues. The Giants made Cole a 26th-round pick in 2014, and already in his pro career he has played first, second and third base in addition to left and right field. He struggles going back on balls in the outfield, and he's a fringe-average defender at second or third base, but some believe he will improve with more instruction. He's a natural athlete with average speed and an average arm. Cole's greatest strength is that he does not do anything poorly. The ball jumps off his bat fairly well, and he has shown a knack for making contact. He has a chance to hit .260 with 10-12 home runs with regular playing time, but he more likely will become a backup. Cole's inability to play shortstop makes it harder to turn that into a big league role.

Cole has not developed as scouts hoped and some of his tools have backed up despite his steady offensive production for three years at Georgia. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder is a good all-around athlete with solid tools and a strong, toned build. Cole has transitioned to third base this season after playing the outfield, and some scouts think he could fill a utility role in pro ball or return to the outfield. While his arm gets average to above-average grades from the outfield, it has played closer to fringe-average to average in the infield. He is a below-average runner who is better under way. He has plus raw power, but his lack of power production adds to questions about his profile. He has average bat speed and some stiffness to his swing. Cole has focused more on hitting for average than hitting for power this season and scouts believe his bat has a chance to play. He has struck out in 22 percent of his career plate appearances and struggled with breaking stuff.