Iowa baseball: Cole McDonald can make an impact with Astros

The Iowa baseball team saw just one of their teammates get drafted. Pitcher Cole McDonald went to the Houston Astros in the 15th round.

The Iowa baseball saw just one player from the 2019 squad get drafted in starting pitcher Cole McDonald. The right-hander was taken in the 15th round (466th overall) to the Houston Astros who could have a place for McDonald in the starting rotation after a couple of seasons in the minor leagues.

The Astros have Justin Verlander locked down through the 2021 season but Gerrit Cole and Wade Miley will both be free agents after this season. After next season, Brad Peacock will also be a free agent. The team has already turned to number two pitching prospect, Corbin Martin for a few starts this season with mixed results. They figure to call up their top prospect Forrest Whitely sooner rather than later as well.

The Astros have several other prospects who are worthy but that does not mean the door is shut on McDonald. The former Hawkeye had his best season at Iowa this year tossing 89.0 innings while striking out 83 batters and walked just 29 in 15 starts all to the tune of a 3.54 ERA.

He had perhaps his biggest start in the Big Ten Tournament against number 1 seed Indiana when he pitched 8.0 innings and struck out 9 Hoosiers. Without that start on that stage, does McDonald still get drafted as high as he did? It’s doubtful.

If the Astros do not have an immediate place for a McDonald in the rotation, he would be terrific as a bullpen guy. His fastball tops out in the low 90’s now due to adding approximately 20 pounds last offseason. He stands at 6-1, 205 pounds and could add a bit more weight which should only improve his fastball velocity.

McDonald has a great chance to stick in the Astros organization. He will likely be assigned to short-season Tri-City and it would be good for him to play in the Arizona Fall League with the hope that he starts next season in Single-A Quad Cities.