The Royals have re-signed left-handed pitcher Austin Cox to a major league contract. After opting for free agency in November, Cox will return to the only MLB organization he’s been with throughout his seven-year professional career. The team announced the deal earlier today.
Cox, who will turn 28 on Opening Day, was originally selected by the Royals in the fifth round of the 2018 draft. He made an immediate impression with a strong Rookie ball debut, posting a 3.78 ERA across nine starts while boasting a 35.7% strikeout rate. He also allowed just one home run in 33 1/3 innings, earning him a spot on industry top prospect lists.
The left-hander continued to impress in 2019, performing well at both Single-A and High-A levels with a 2.76 ERA and 3.48 FIP in 130 2/3 innings. Although his strikeout rate dropped to 24.2%, it was still solid across a larger sample size against tougher competition.
He also reduced his walk rate and kept home runs in check. Heading into 2020, both FanGraphs and Baseball America had Cox among the Royals’ top 10 prospects.
However, Cox’s development was slowed by the lost minor league season in 2020 and struggles in 2021, where he faced challenges at Double-A and Triple-A. His fastball velocity dropped, and he abandoned his slider, which hurt his overall effectiveness.
His strikeout rate fell, his walk rate increased, and he allowed a concerning number of home runs. As a result, Cox’s stock as a prospect declined significantly, and he was seen as more of a bullpen option than a starting pitcher.
Cox continued to start at Triple-A in 2022 and 2023 but didn’t show significant improvement. He made his MLB debut in May 2023, initially impressing with a hitless appearance through 40 batters.
However, his performance waned, and over 24 games, including 21 relief appearances and 3 spot starts, he posted a 6.10 ERA as a starter and a 3.91 ERA as a reliever. After a knee injury ended his season, the Royals designated him for assignment, and he chose free agency.
Cox later rejoined the Royals on a minor league deal and spent the 2024 season with Triple-A Omaha. His new minor league contract with the Royals marks his third such deal in just over a year, likely keeping him in a depth role as a left-handed swingman at Triple-A. Despite not earning another MLB opportunity in 2024, there remains a strong connection between Cox and the Royals.
