Astros Prospect Profile: Cole Hertzler

Houston Astros Prospect Profile: Cole Hertzler

Cole Hertzler – RHP

HT/WT: 6’4”/235 | Bat/Throw: R/R | School: Liberty | DOB: 06/21/03

Overview:

Hertzler was drafted by the Astros in the 5th round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Liberty University. Hertzler has pitched limited innings due to injury but has dominated hitters in Single-A with a four pitch mix. In 21 professional innings, he has a 1.29 ERA with 28 strikeouts. His fastball sits in the low to mid 90s and can tough 96 MPH. Hertzler’s best secondary pitch is his slider that has continued to progress. His also added a changeup and curveball. Now healthy, Hertzler was dominant in High-A posting a 2.72 ERA with 64 strikeouts over 43 innings. He was promoted to Double-A and has a 2.48 ERA over 29 innings.

Baseball America had the following to say about Hertzler: “A premium athlete for his size and body type, Hertzler has the ability to mix four pitches with more potential power to come. Hertzler throws four pitches in a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup and curveball. His fastball sits 92-93 mph and touches 96 with average ride and some cut. Hertzler’s best secondary is a mid-80s gyro slider that’s thrown from a similar release to his fastball and kept A-ball hitters off-balance in 2025. His low-to-mid-80s changeup had good results but is a below-average pitch without much separation from the fastball. His low-80s curveball is a deathball-style breaking ball that shows potential as a swing-and-miss and chase pitch.”

Articles:

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Highlights:

Cole Hertzler for the Hooks tonight:

4 IP | 1 H | 1 R | 0 ER | 0 BB | 7 K

He has a 2.48 ERA this season. #Astros pic.twitter.com/Oo2FgeB1lx

— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) August 6, 2026