Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser and starting pitcher Brandon Young play different roles on the field, but the two share more than a spot on the roster. Though they went to two different schools, both were coached for one year of college ball by Matt Deggs.
Cowser played at Sam Houston State from 2019-2021 before being drafted by the Orioles. He played for Deggs for one season before the coach left Sam Houston State to become the head coach at Louisiana after the passing of legendary coach Tony Robichaux. Deggs coached Young in 2020 before the right-hander signed with the Orioles as an undrafted free agent.
Cowser is hitting .231/.314/.388 with six home runs and 22 RBIs entering play on June 10. His season didn’t start out the best after posting a .186 batting average in March and April, but he is hitting .267/.349/.520 with six home runs and 19 RBIs since May 1.
Deggs called Cowser the best hitter he’s ever coached.
“It’s a constant game of adjustments, and especially if you’re a hitter it’s just a game of struggle and survival at times,” Deggs said on Glenn Clark Radio June 8. “Colton’s one of the only kids I’ve ever had that has the ability to hit and smile at the same time. I don’t know if he’s ever had a bad day in all actuality. He plays a game with a smile on his face. I’ve seen the kid line out three times and come back laughing.
“So, to me with that mindset and makeup, he’s got everything that it takes to play this game at an All-Star level, not just he’s-a-starter-in-the-big-leagues level. Colton Cowser has the ability to be an All-Star.”
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound outfielder has notched 92 putouts this season, along with two assists. He has mostly played right field.
“The hitting, that’s come to him forever but the defensive side, he’s turned himself into a real asset out there,” Deggs said.
A year after coaching Cowser, Deggs worked with Young at Louisiana. The 2020 season ended quickly due to COVID-19. Deggs said he hated that the season was canceled because Young was “becoming the best pitcher in the country.”
Deggs started Young in the bullpen but was quickly working his way into the Friday night starter role before the season was canceled. Young had 37 strikeouts in 24.2 innings, recording a 1.09 ERA in his three starts.
“It was a four-pitch mix with a ton of attitude and intent coming out of his hand,” Deggs said. “It was a ton of strikes and command of those four pitches. The [velocity] was going up, everything was sharp and crisp. It’s funny because we actually played San Houston State that year, and him and Colton squared off.”
The 6-foot-6, 230-pound starter holds a 4-1 record so far this season, holding a 3.47 ERA in the nine games and 49.1 innings he has pitched.
“He’s so self-assured and confident on the mound,” Deggs said. “There’s an aura and a persona there that hitters pick up on and you can see that. I mean, he has such a good mix and he’s just got good command and I would expect him to do this for a long time.”
For more from Deggs, watch the full interview here:
Photo Credits: Colin Murphy/PressBox