"That's the most important stat to look for with Jarred Cosart," LaMar said. "He has never pitched a full year without being hurt. He only had an arm problem one time, but there has always been something that has kept him from being completely healthy."
A year ago around this time, Cosart's season at single-A Lakewood ended because of a sprained right elbow. In 14 starts, he had gone 7-3 with a 3.79 ERA and struck out 77 batters in 711/3 innings, so the proof that he could pitch was on display. But the key for any developing pitcher is pitching.
"I told Chuck and the entire organization that first and foremost I wanted to get through this season healthy," Cosart said by phone from Clearwater. "I've got 80-plus innings this year already and I only had 71 last year. I've never had surgery or anything like that, but I had these little injuries that I attributed to being a position player in high school. I was never used to throwing as much as I did once I turned professional. I really think going through the rehab last year helped me mentally and physically."
Cosart, 21, is still learning to pitch, as evidenced by the roller-coaster ride his season has been. He went 2-3 with a 3.81 ERA in April, 4-0 with a 1.95 ERA in May, and 0-2 with a 4.91 ERA in June.
"He missed a lot last year because of the tender arm," LaMar said. "It was a real credit to him that he was able to make the jump to Clearwater with the limited time he has pitched, but like any power pitcher the learning process is ongoing."
Cosart often lights up the radar gun at 95 to 97 m.p.h., but he wants to become more consistent with his off-speed pitches. He has a nasty breaking ball and a change-up that is a work in progress.
