Neal Cotts

From BR Bullpen

Neal James Cotts

Bats Left, Throws Left
Height 6' 2", Weight 200 lb.
School Illinois State University
High School Lebanon (IL) High School
Debut August 12, 2003
Born March 25, 1980 in Belleville, IL USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Pitcher Neal Cotts was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the second round of the 2001 amateur draft after an 8-3 senior season in college, with a 2.89 ERA. He had led the Missouri Valley Conference with 113 strikeouts, in 87 innings and named to the All-Conference team. Cotts began his professional career with the Vancouver Canadians, going 1-0 with a 3.09 ERA, fanning 44 in 35 innings. Promoted to the Visalia Oaks, he went 3-2 with a 2.32 ERA and 34 K in 31 IP.

In 2002, Neal pitched for the Modesto A's and went 12-6 with a 4.12 ERA. He led the team in wins and struck out 178 in 138 innings, though he walked 87. That off-season, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox as a player to be named later in the Keith Foulke-Billy Koch deal. He went 9-7 with a 2.12 ERA for the Birmingham Barons in 2003 before being promoted to the majors in August and making four starts for the Sox. He whiffed 133 and walked 56 in 108 innings, allowing 67 hits and a .177 opponent batting average. He made the Southern League All-Star team as the top southpaw pitcher.

In 2004, Neal was converted to the bullpen and a rocky 87 ERA+ debut, he had a dazzling 4-0 record and 229 ERA+ the next year, allowing 38 hits and striking out 58 in 60 1/3 innings. Cotts pitched two thirds of an inning in Game 1 of the 2005 ALCS against the Los Angeles Angels. He was the only member of the Sox bullpen to pitch in the series. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs on November 16, 2006 for David Aardsma and minor leaguer Carlos Vasquez.

Sources: 2002-2004 Baseball Almanacs