Phillies spring training prospect report: How are the youngsters faring?

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CLEARWATER, FL – FEBRUARY 20: Dylan Cozens #77 of the Philadelphia Phillies poses for a portrait on February 20, 2018 at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

Dylan Cozens

Dylan Cozens has continued to struggle with strikeouts even in spring training. In 18 plate appearances, Cozens has already racked up seven strikeouts, in addition to two in both of his plate appearances against the University of Tampa. He has just three hits, leaving him with a .176 batting average. All this comes against opponents of Double-A quality per Baseball Reference’s metric.

This isn’t the ideal way for Cozens to start off the spring after striking out 194 times in 135 games last year in Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Strikeouts were an issue even during his 40-home run season in Double-A Reading in 2016; he had 186 in 134 games that season.

There was a chance Cozens could make his way onto the major-league roster as a fifth outfielder. However, if he continues to struggle against minor-league pitchers, a return to Triple-A is nearly guaranteed.

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