Cole Nelson

Cole Hunter Nelson

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 7", Weight 235 lb.
• School Des Moines Area Community College, Auburn University
• High School Edina High School

• Born July 14, 1989 in Edina, MN USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Tall lefthander Cole Nelson pitched in the minor leagues from 2010 to 2014. He was drafted twice, first out of community college in the 45th round of the 2009 amateur draft by the Tampa Bay Rays, and after one year at Auburn University, a second time by the Detroit Tigers in the 10th round of the 2010 amateur draft.

He began his professional career in 2010 with the GCL Tigers but was soon promoted to the Lakeland Flying Tigers of the Florida State League, going 1-0, 0.66 in 9 games and 27 1/3 nnings, during which he struck out 36 batters. In 2011, he began the season at Lakeland, making 17 starts in 26 appearances and going 5-11, 4.87. On August 15th, he was the key piece in a major league trade for veteran OF Delmon Young, sent to the Minnesota Twins along with a player to be named later; that player turned out to be fellow P Lester Oliveros. He finished the year still in the FSL, with the Fort Myers Miracle, where he went 1-1, 2.61 in 5 games. Overall, he pitched 115 2/3 innings, with 92 strikeouts and 56 walks.

In 2012, he spent a full season in Fort Myers, but was hit very hard, finishing at 5-8, 6.26 in 23 games (14 starts). He had a 66/49 K/W ratio in 82 innings. He was let go by the Twins in spring training in 2013 and signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Braves on June 20th. He was sent to the Rome Braves of the South Atlantic League, going down one level from the previous two seasons, but still struggled, going 0-1, 6.91 in 9 games. He was released again on August 1st. His final two seasons were in the independent leagues, both with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association. He had a good year in 2013, finishing at 5-3, 3.64 in 13 games, but in 2014 his control deserted him as he walked 31 batters while striking out 21 in 39 2/3 innings, and finished at 2-5, 5.67. He called it quits after that.

Related Sites

• Auburn University bio