O's first-rounder Cowser homers in pro debut

Coming out of Sam Houston State University, there weren't many doubts about the sweet left-handed stroke of Colton Cowser translating to instant offense in the pro game. And it did Monday afternoon, as the fifth overall pick in the 2021 Draft singled and homered in the first two plate appearances of his career for Baltimore's Florida Complex League Orange team.

In his first at-bat, Cowser displayed his patented pure swing with a line-drive single to center field. In the top of the fourth, he stepped up to the plate and belted a solo homer to right off FCL Rays right-hander Matthew Peguero.

The 21-year-old outfielder struck out in his third plate appearance in the sixth before being lifted for a defensive replacement in the bottom half of the frame. The Orioles' Orange squad fell to the Rays, 8-2.

Cowser was one of the premier bats in college baseball during the 2021 campaign, finishing the season batting .374 with 16 home runs and 52 RBIs. He was ranked No. 10 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 250 Draft Prospects list.

Scouts tout Cowser’s compact swing and quick hands that enable him to spray line drives to all fields. A lack of loft in his swing led to some questions regarding his ability to hit for power at the next level. But Cowser’s fluid swing and physical power have scouts projecting him for 20 homers a year down the road. He did show a penchant for the long ball by going yard in five straight collegiate games during April.

So, a few weeks after being taken by Baltimore in the first round, his hitting repertoire was on display in the FCL.