Cole Baker Uvila (born January 30, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.
Cole Uvila | |
---|---|
Free agent | |
Pitcher | |
Born: Port Angeles, Washington | January 30, 1994|
Bats: Right Throws: Right |
Uvila attended Port Angeles High School in Port Angeles, Washington.[1] Undrafted out of high school, Uvila attended Pierce College in Lakewood, Washington, for two years (2013–2014).[2] He posted a 5–2 record with a 1.77 ERA and 74 strikeouts over 64 innings in 2014.[2] Uvila then transferred to Georgia State University to play for the Georgia State Panthers for two seasons (2015–2016).[3] He posted a 1–6 record with a 4.24 ERA and 46 strikeouts over 54 innings in 2015. Uvila entered 2016 as the Friday night starter, but suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament injury of the elbow during his third game of the season, resulting in Tommy John surgery that ended his season.[4] Uvila transferred to Georgia Gwinnett College for his final season of college baseball.[5] He posted a 4–2 record with a 4.75 ERA and 80 strikeouts over 55 innings in 2018.[4] Uvila was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 40th round, with the 1199th overall selection, of the 2018 MLB draft.[6] He signed with Texas for a $1,000 signing bonus.[7]
Uvila spent his debut season of 2018 with the Spokane Indians of the Low-A Northwest League, going 1–0 with a 1.42 ERA and 48 strikeouts over 31+2⁄3 innings.[7][8] Uvila opened the 2019 season with the Hickory Crawdads of the Single-A South Atlantic League, and threw 7 scoreless innings for them before being promoted to the Down East Wood Ducks of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League.[9] He finished the 2019 season going a combined 7–3 with a 2.23 ERA and 95 strikeouts over 64+2⁄3 innings.[10] Uvila played for the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League following the 2019 season,[11] and was named a Fall League All-Star.[12][13] Uvila did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Minor League Baseball season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Uvila opened the 2021 season with the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Central.[14] He was promoted to the Round Rock Express of the Triple-A West on July 31, after going 2–2 with a 2.90 ERA and 42 strikeouts over 31 innings for Frisco.[15] Uvila struggled to an 8.74 ERA with 18 strikeouts over 22+2⁄3 innings for Round Rock.[16]
On December 8, 2021, the Baltimore Orioles selected Uvila from the Rangers in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.[17] Uvila spent the 2022 season with the Triple-A Norfolk Tides, making 42 appearances and recording a 3.48 ERA with 45 strikeouts and 12 saves in 44.0 innings pitched.[18] Uvila returned to Norfolk to begin the 2023 season, pitching in 3 games and logging a 2.25 ERA with 3 strikeouts in 4.0 innings of work. He was released by the Orioles organization on May 19, 2023.[19]