Scouting Report

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

Hertzler began his career at Liberty as a two-way player, one who didn’t see an inning of competitive mound time as a freshman in 2022 and picked up just 11 at-bats. As a sophomore, he made 21 relief appearances and had 25 plate appearances. Focusing on pitching only in 2024, he took off as the Flames’ Friday night starter, making 16 appearances (15 starts) and striking out nearly 10 batters per nine innings.

A big-bodied right-hander who stands 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, Hertzler showed off four usable pitches in his first year as a starter. His fastball sits around 92-93 mph, but he’s touched 95-96 mph at times, and it features some solid arm-side run. His go-to secondary offering is his low-80s changeup, thrown with good sink and fade, an offspeed offering that flashes plus. He has two distinct breaking balls, with both his mid-80s tighter slider and his slower, 80-81 mph curve showing bat-missing potential.

Without a long resume as a starter, it remains to be seen if Hertzler can stick in a rotation at the next level, though he took a big step forward in his strike-throwing ability with the move to starting for Liberty in 2024. A team taking him on Day 2 of the Draft could very well give him the chance to keep starting at the outset, recognizing there might be some upside the further removed from playing both ways he gets and knowing that his stuff could tick up if he ends up in a bullpen down the road.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40

Hertzler teamed with Trey Yesavage at Boyertown (Pa.) HS ,and after three years of college, he went four rounds behind him in the 2024 Draft, joining the Astros as a fifth-rounder. A two-way player in his first two seasons at Liberty, he focused on pitching as a junior and became the Flames' No. 1 starter. He has worked just 21 innings as a pro because he sprained his forearm last April and made just one more appearance five months later.

Hertzler's best offering is a low-80s changeup with significant fade. It helps him maximize the effectiveness of a fastball that sits at 91-94 mph and tops out at 97 with carry and armside run. He showed better feel for his tight mid-80s slider than his 78-82 mph curveball during his brief action last season.

With a 6-foot-4 frame and high arm slot, Hertzler's pitches come out of a higher release point than usual. His control and command improved as he got more experience at Liberty, and he has no problem providing strikes. He'll need to show he can handle a starter's workload after totaling just 142 innings in the last four years but should be fully healthy for 2026.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40

Boyertown (Pa.) High's 2021 pitching staff featured two arms who would go early in the 2024 Draft -- Blue Jays first-rounder Trey Yesavage and Astros fifth-rounder Hertzler. A two-way player in his first two college seasons at Liberty, Hertzler became the Flames' No. 1 starter when he focused on the mound last spring. His pro debut consisted of two brief appearances at Single-A.

In his lone season as a college starter, Hertzler showed the ability to get chases and miss bats with four average pitches. His fastball operates at 91-94 mph and touches 97 with carry and armside run, and it could become a solid offering if he finds more velocity. His fading low-80s changeup is his best secondary pitch, followed by a tight mid-80s slider with occasional depth and a low-80s curveball.

Hertzler's strong 6-foot-4 frame and high arm slot created a higher release point than hitters are accustomed to. As he got regular innings in 2024, he did a good job of cleaning up his delivery and providing strikes. He has more untapped potential than most college pitchers and could develop into a No. 4 or 5 starter.

Awards

All-Spring Breakout Second Team

Year	Team
2026

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	06/12/2026	RHP Cole Hertzler assigned to Corpus Christi Hooks from Asheville Tourists.
	03/30/2026	RHP Cole Hertzler assigned to Asheville Tourists from Fayetteville Woodpeckers.
	03/05/2026	RHP Cole Hertzler assigned to Houston Astros Prospects.
	08/29/2025	Fayetteville Woodpeckers activated RHP Cole Hertzler from the 7-day injured list.
	04/23/2025	Fayetteville Woodpeckers placed RHP Cole Hertzler on the 7-day injured list.
	09/02/2024	RHP Cole Hertzler assigned to Fayetteville Woodpeckers.
	07/20/2024	Houston Astros signed RHP Cole Hertzler.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated RHP Cole Hertzler.