Prospect Nation 2015: #9 OF Dylan Cozens

Dylan Cozens, image- Jay Floyd

Raw power is what scouts, media members and the Phillies alike covet with outfielder Dylan Cozens. Loads of pop combined with a strong adaptability as well as remarkable athleticism have Cozens rising toward the top among the team's best prospects.

At six feet six inches tall and 235 pounds Cozens has an imposing frame that was well-suited for the grid iron, as he was a two-sport star during high school. Already touting a great ability to drive the ball, the Arizona native has 30-plus homer potential. Last season marked just the second calendar year that Cozens had devoted all of his time to baseball, no longer competing in football after signing with the Phillies.

After he was selected in the second round of the 2012 MLB amateur draft, Cozens debuted in the minors with the rookie level Gulf Coast Phillies. In 50 games there, the lefty hitting youngster notched 15 doubles, two triples, five homers and 24 RBI. Cozens also participated in the Florida Instructional League in 2012.

After a productive spring in 2013, Cozens was retained in extended spring training and made his official season debut with the short-season Williamsport Crosscutters of the New York-Penn League when they kicked off in June. Cozens was among the league leaders in many categories that year, placing second in the league in doubles (19), extra base hits (30), and runs (50) while ranking third in slugging percentage (.469). Additionally, he batted .265 with two triples, nine home runs and 35 RBI in 68 games for the Cutters.

In 2014, with Class A Lakewood, Cozens took strides had a good season, posting a .248 average with 16 homers and 62 RBI. He followed that up with a solid campaign in the Australian Baseball League this off-season. In 45 games with Melbourne, he tallied a .255 average with eight home runs, 23 RBI and 11 steals.

Phillies brass and coaches praised the amount of development Cozens showed last season with Lakewood, as he was pressed with the notion of finishing his work and not chasing pitches out of the zone. Director of player development Joe Jordan told me in August that Cozens improved in every aspect of his game in 2014.

Sometimes critiqued for having a long swing, Cozens may not hit for great average (.254 clip in 250 affiliated minor league games), but with his slugger potential, he should be able to produce well enough at the plate to play at the upper levels of the sport.

On the bases, the 20-year-old isn't as slow as most people might expect of a big-bodied masher. He's proven to be somewhat of a threat on the base paths, swiping 23 bases in 30 attempts last year in the Sally League. He sports a 74% success rate in steal attempts as a pro. While he shouldn't be projected to collect similar steal totals at higher levels, Cozens could contribute with his feet.

Cozens, who has played a wide majority of his games in right field, has been praised for his adaptability and is a very capable fielder. He covers a good amount of ground and has a strong arm in the outfield.

Expect Cozens to be on the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers' roster this coming season.

To follow along with this year's full countdown, click HERE.

Stats to Ponder: Jimmy Rollins Edition

J-Roll has batted under .200 for a calendar month twice in his career. In April 2004, Rollins went 13-for-71, for a .183 average. The following month, Rollins went 30-for-107, which is a .280 average. And in August 2005, Rollins went 22-for-117, for a .188 average. The month that followed saw Rollins go 49-for-122 for a .402 average. Rollins is batting .171 so far in May 2009. Improvement is not far away for Jimmy. The Phillies are 10-2 in games this year which Rollins scores at least 1 run. The Phillies are 4-12 in games which Rollins does not score. Jimmy Rollins in 6 games against the Braves this year is batting .071 (2-for-28). In 2008 Rollins batted .284 against the Braves in 18 games. In 2007 Rollins batted .347 against the Braves in 18 games. In 2006 Rollins batted .367 against the Braves in 18 games. Jimmy Milestone Watch: 6 more RBI and Rollins will tie Scott Rolen for 25th all time in Phillies RBI leaders. 7 more triples and Rollins will tie Richie Ashburn for 4th all time i...

Crawford's Chronicles: JP Crawford talks Spring Training

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Former Player Proposes Marriage on the Field in Lakewood

Three's a crowd, Buster...Image- Jay Floyd For one New Jersey couple a unique meeting at the ballpark led to a new meaning for the term baseball diamond. Brian Parker spotted the woman of his dreams from the bullpen bench at Lakewood, NJ's FirstEnergy Park on July 9th, 2010. The right-handed reliever for the Orioles affiliate Delmarva Shorebirds wasn't summoned to pitch that night, but it didn't stop him from getting up and going through his usual warm up and stretching routines to inch closer to a young blonde Brick Township native that he felt drawn toward. "I was acting like I was staying hot, but really I was just trying to talk to her," Parker, a 19th round draft choice by Baltimore in 2007, stated. "I ended up putting my (phone) number on a baseball and we decided to hang out and throughout that whole next year it was back and forth trips between the both of us." The lady that caught Parker's eye was Kristin VanDeventer, who was ...

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