Raf Cocu

R. Martinus Cocu

• Bats Right, Throws Right

• School Avans Hogeschool

• Born 1999

BR register page

Biographical Information

Raf Cocu has pitched in the Hoofdklasse and for the Dutch national team.

He debuted in the 2017 Hoofdklasse with the Oosterhout Twins, allowing one run in 4 1/3 IP. He had a 3-2, 3.96 record with three saves, striking out 33 but walking 18 in 25 innings. He tied Paul Kirkpatrick and Ian Delemarre for sixth in saves. In the 2019 European Championship U23, he allowed one unearned run in three innings and went 1-0, beating Germany. He was 0-1 with a save and a 3.07 ERA for the Twins in 2020, fanning 17 in 14 2/3 IP but walking 20.

Cocu was 3-3 with 3 saves and a 5.47 ERA in 2021, again averaging over a K and a BB per IP. He tied Jayden Gonesh for fourth in saves. In the 2021 European Championship U23, he struck out five in 2 1/3 shutout innings and avenged his loss to Germany from two years ago. He was a late addition to the Netherlands for the 2021 European Championship, replacing the injured Franklin Van Gurp. He debuted against Slovakia, relieving Gonesh in the 5th with a 9-0 lead. He allowed a double to Jakub Ižold, struck out Denis Pakši and Martin Brunegraf, walked Tomáš Biskorovájny and fanned Mario Gottschall. In the 6th, he got both Martin Lukačka and Jakub Horáček to make it five Ks in five outs. Mike Groen then succeeded him. He also pitched in a rout of Sweden, replacing Gonesh in the 7th with a 9-5 lead. He struck out three in a row looking - Joel Johnson, Daniel Johnson and Thomas Paulich. Niklas Melin singled to open the 8th but was caught stealing, then Trolle Brandt and Peter Johannessen were retired. The Netherlands ended the game early in the bottom of the 8th with a 15-5 lead, making it a mercy rule ending. His 8 Ks tied former major leaguer Shairon Martis for third on the champion squad while only Gonesh worked more innings for the team while posting a 0 ERA. He finished the year with the U-23 Baseball World Cup, allowing three runs in three innings; he struck out four but walked five.