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Colton Cowser
Colton Cowser
Colton Cowser
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Colton Dale Cowser (born March 20, 2000) nicknamed “The Milkman”,[1] is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Sam Houston State Bearkats.

Key Information

Amateur career

[edit]

Cowser attended Cypress Ranch High School in Cypress, Texas.[2] In 2018, his senior year, he earned all-state honors after batting .411 with 38 RBI and thirty stolen bases.[3] He was not selected in the 2018 Major League Baseball draft and enrolled at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas to play college baseball for the Sam Houston State Bearkats.

In 2019, Cowser's freshman season at Sam Houston State, he was immediately placed into the starting lineup, and batted .361 with seven home runs, 54 runs batted in (RBI), and nine stolen bases over 56 games.[4] He won the Southland Conference Hitter of the Year Award.[5] He was named a Freshman All-American by multiple media outlets including Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, Perfect Game, and D1Baseball.com.[6] After the season, he earned a spot on the Team USA Collegiate National Team.[7] He was named Most Valuable Player of the 2019 USA vs Cuba Friendship Series after batting .438 with six runs.[8] Prior to the 2020 season, Cowser was named to the Golden Spikes Award watch list alongside earning pre-season Southland Conference honors.[9][10] Over 14 games for the 2020 season before the remainder of games were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cowser hit .255 with one home run.[4] As a junior in 2021, he slashed .374/.490/.680 with 16 home runs and 52 RBI over 55 games.[11] He was named the Southland Conference Player of the Year as well as being named to the All-Defensive Team.[12]

Professional career

[edit]

Minor leagues

[edit]

The Baltimore Orioles selected Cowser in the first round, with the fifth overall selection, of the 2021 Major League Baseball draft.[13] He signed with the Orioles for a $4.9 million signing bonus.[14] On August 2, 2021, Cowser made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Orioles, hitting a solo home run in his second at-bat.[15] After batting .500 over 22 at-bats, he was promoted to the Delmarva Shorebirds of the Low-A East.[16] Over 25 games with Delmarva, Cowser batted .347 with one home run and 26 RBI.[17]

Cowser was assigned to the Aberdeen IronBirds of the High-A South Atlantic League to begin the 2022 season.[18] In late June, he was promoted to the Bowie Baysox of the Double-A Eastern League.[19] In late August, he was promoted to the Norfolk Tides of the Triple-A International League.[20][21] Over 138 games between the three teams, he slashed .278/.406/.469 with 19 home runs, 66 RBI, 18 stolen bases, and 36 doubles.[22]

Opening the 2023 season, Cowser returned to Norfolk.[23] In 56 games for the Tides, he hit .330/.459/.537 with 10 home runs and 40 RBI.

Major leagues

[edit]

On July 5, 2023, Cowser was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[24][25] He made his MLB debut that day in a 6–3 victory over the New York Yankees. In the 6th inning of the contest, Cowser recorded his first major league hit, an RBI single off reliever Nick Ramirez.[26] He spent the remainder of the campaign with the Tides after being optioned for a second time on September 3 when Aaron Hicks was reinstated from the injured list.[27] Cowser received the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award at the Triple-A National Championship Game won by the Tides over the Oklahoma City Dodgers 7–6 on September 30. He went 2-for-4 with a two-out grand slam to center in the 7th inning.[28] With the Orioles, he batted .115/.286/.148 with no home runs and four RBI in 61 at–bats over 26 games.[29]

In 2024, Cowser made the Orioles' Opening Day roster.[30] He drove in four runs in the first multi-RBI game of his MLB career in a 7–1 win over the Boston Red Sox on April 9.[31] He had another four-RBI performance when he hit the first two home runs of his MLB career in a ten-inning 9–4 victory over the same opponent two nights later on April 11. He had a total of ten RBI during the three-game sweep of the Red Sox at Fenway Park.[32] In 153 games for the Orioles, Cowser slashed .242/.321/.447 with 24 home runs and 69 RBI. For his performance, Cowser places 2nd in American League Rookie of the Year voting, losing to New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Gil by 5 points, the second closest vote in awards history.

On October 2, 2024, Cowser exited Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the Kansas City Royals an inning after taking a pitch off the hand while swinging. After the game, the Orioles announced that he suffered a broken left hand.[33] Cowser underwent successful surgery to repair the fracture on October 15.[34] He served as the master of ceremonies of the 2025 Major League Baseball draft lottery at the Winter Meetings on December 10, 2024.[35]

On March 31, 2025, Cowser was ruled out for 6-to-8 weeks with a broken left thumb. The injury occurred when he dove into first base during a close play in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays.[36] On June 2, he was activated off of the injured list.[37]

Personal life

[edit]

Cowser and his wife, Claire, married in January 2026 in Hawaii.[38]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Colton Cowser

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Colton Dale Cowser, nicknamed "The Milkman", is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on March 20, 2000, in Houston, Texas, Cowser stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 220 pounds; he bats left-handed and throws right-handed. Selected by the Orioles as the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Sam Houston State University, Cowser quickly progressed through the minors before making his MLB debut on July 5, 2023. In his debut season, Cowser appeared in 26 games, primarily in , and established himself as a promising with speed. His 2024 rookie campaign marked a breakout year, during which he earned Rookie of the Month honors for April after leading all rookies in RBIs and that month, finished second in Rookie of the Year voting, and was later named the Outstanding Rookie in the Players Choice Awards. Additionally, Cowser was recognized as the Player of the Week for the period ending April 15, 2024, after hitting .435 with four s and 12 RBIs over six games. The nickname "The Milkman" originated from Orioles broadcaster during a 2024 broadcast, referencing Cowser's reliable production in the late , and it quickly gained popularity among fans, leading to themed promotions like milkman costumes at Camden Yards. Entering the 2025 season as a key part of Baltimore's young core, Cowser played in 92 games across all three positions, posting a .196 with 16 home runs, 40 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases. Through his first three MLB seasons, Cowser has accumulated a .216 , 40 home runs, and 113 RBIs over 887 at-bats, showcasing defensive versatility and baserunning ability while continuing to develop his plate discipline.

Early life and amateur career

Early life

Colton Dale Cowser was born on March 20, 2000, in , . He was raised in the Houston area by his parents, Dale and Anna Cowser, both of whom served as high school soccer coaches; his mother had also played soccer at . Cowser grew up alongside his older brother, Ty, in a with a strong athletic background, though public details on their early years remain limited. From a young age, Cowser developed an interest in influenced by 's local sports scene and family traditions, including attending Astros games with his mother and brother as early as age five. Growing up during the era of the Astros' "Killer B's," he frequently watched games, fostering an early passion for the sport amid the city's vibrant culture. This foundation in set the stage for his progression into organized youth .

High school career

Colton Cowser attended in , a suburb of , where he developed his skills in a competitive local environment. Raised in the Houston area, his proximity to strong youth programs contributed to his early exposure to the sport. As a versatile , Cowser showcased a blend of athleticism and potential during his high school tenure, playing for a program known for producing professional talent. In his senior year of 2018, Cowser emerged as a key contributor for the Cypress Ranch Mustangs, batting .411 with 38 runs batted in and 30 stolen bases, helping lead the team to a 32-9-2 record and a berth in the Class 6A state tournament semifinals. His performance earned him All-State honors and recognition on the /Rawlings All-Texas region team. Scouts noted his smooth left-handed swing with natural loft, which hinted at future power potential as he added strength to his 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame. High school scouting reports highlighted Cowser's above-average speed and range in , making him a plus defender with the ability to cover ground effectively in center field. His baserunning prowess was evident in his totals, underscoring his quickness off the basepaths. While his arm strength was considered fringe-average at the time, evaluators projected improvement with maturity, positioning him as a well-rounded prospect whose tools—hit, power, speed, fielding, and arm—drew interest from college programs despite being a relative . These attributes collectively marked Cowser as an intriguing talent early in his process.

College career

Cowser enrolled at in 2018 and played for the Bearkats of the , appearing in 125 games over three seasons. As a in , Cowser batted .361 with a .450 and .602 , recording 78 hits, 50 runs scored, 54 RBIs, and 7 home runs in 56 games. He earned Hitter of the Year honors and was named a Freshman All-American by Baseball America and D1Baseball.com. That summer, Cowser joined the Collegiate National Team, where he was named MVP of the Friendship Series after batting .438 with 6 runs scored and tying for the team lead in RBIs. The 2020 season was abbreviated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting Cowser to 14 games in which he hit .255 with a .379 on-base percentage, .364 slugging percentage, 14 runs, and 1 home run. He received preseason All-America recognition from D1Baseball.com and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association entering the year. In 2021, as a junior, Cowser delivered a standout performance with a .374 batting average, .490 on-base percentage, and .680 slugging percentage, including 76 hits, 61 runs, 52 RBIs, and 16 home runs across 55 games. For his efforts, he was selected as the Southland Conference Player of the Year and earned first-team All-America honors from D1Baseball.com. Across his collegiate career, Cowser maintained a .354 , .473 , and .549 , with 24 home runs and 112 RBIs in 474 at-bats. Scouts highlighted his development in plate discipline, as he drew walks at a high rate—reaching a .490 in 2021—and his growing power, which culminated in 16 home runs that season after showing more contact-oriented production as a .

Professional career

Draft and minor leagues

Cowser was selected by the Baltimore Orioles with the fifth overall pick in the out of , where his standout college performance as the top-ranked hitter in his draft class made him a prime target for teams seeking power-hitting outfielders. He signed with on July 17, 2021, receiving a $4.9 million , below the slot value for the fifth pick. Cowser made his professional debut on August 2, 2021, with the Rookie-level (FCL) , where he batted .500 with a .560 , a .773 , one , and eight RBIs in seven games over 22 at-bats. Promoted to the Low-A on August 17, 2021, he adapted quickly to full-season ball, slashing .347/.476/.429 with one and 26 RBIs in 25 games across 98 at-bats. Overall in his brief 2021 stint, Cowser hit .375/.490/.492 with two and 34 RBIs in 32 games, showcasing early plate discipline with 25 walks against 23 strikeouts. Entering his first full professional season in 2022, Cowser opened with the Aberdeen IronBirds, where he posted a .258/.385/.410 line with four home runs and 22 RBIs in 62 games, facing initial adjustments to advanced pitching velocity and breaking balls. He earned a promotion to the Double-A Bowie Baysox on June 28, 2022, thriving against the higher competition with a .341/.469/.568 slash line, 10 home runs, and 33 RBIs in 49 games that highlighted his emerging power and improved approach against left-handed pitching. In late August, Cowser advanced to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides, batting .219/.339/.429 with five home runs and 11 RBIs in 27 games while refining his swing for consistency. Across three levels that year, he combined for a .278/.406/.469 line with 19 home runs and 66 RBIs in 138 games, drawing 94 walks and solidifying his reputation as a patient, high-contact . Cowser returned to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides for the 2023 season, his primary assignment before his major league call-up, where he slashed .300/.417/.520 with 17 home runs and 62 RBIs in 87 games over 323 at-bats. His development emphasized better pitch recognition and range, transitioning effectively to center field while maintaining elite arm strength from his college days. Cowser concluded his tenure that year as the MVP of the on September 30, 2023, going 2-for-4 with a go-ahead seventh-inning grand slam that propelled to a 7-6 win over the Oklahoma City Dodgers.

2023 season

Cowser received a non-roster invitation to the Baltimore Orioles' 2023 spring training camp. He appeared in several exhibition games, batting .212 with seven hits in 33 at-bats. Following spring training, the Orioles assigned him to their Triple-A affiliate, the Norfolk Tides, to begin the season. In 87 games with during the 2023 regular season, Cowser hit .300 with 17 home runs and 62 RBI, showcasing strong plate discipline with a .417 . His performance earned him two Player of the Week honors early in the year. On July 5, 2023, selected Cowser's contract from Triple-A, promoting him for his major league debut against the New York Yankees at . In his debut game, Cowser recorded his first major league hit and RBI with a single to left field off Yankees reliever in the sixth inning. Over 26 games with that season, he batted .115/.286/.148, accumulating seven hits—including two doubles—four RBI, 15 runs scored, 13 walks, and one , while striking out 22 times in 77 plate appearances. Cowser faced challenges adjusting to major league pitching, particularly with velocity and breaking balls, leading to a high rate and limited contact against big-league arms. The Orioles optioned Cowser back to Norfolk on August 14, 2023, to make room for veteran outfielder Aaron Hicks. He rejoined the Tides for the remainder of the regular season and their playoff run, contributing to their International League championship on September 28. In the Triple-A National Championship Game on September 30 against the Oklahoma City Baseball Club, Cowser hit a go-ahead grand slam—measured at 455 feet—in the seventh inning, finishing 2-for-4 and earning MVP honors as Norfolk defeated Oklahoma City 7-6 to claim the title. The Orioles recalled Cowser on September 1 for the final month of the major league season but optioned him back to Norfolk on September 3 without additional appearances.

2024 season

Cowser secured a spot on the Baltimore Orioles' roster for the 2024 season, marking his transition to a full-time major league role following a brief debut the previous year. He appeared in 153 games, primarily as the starting left fielder and occasional corner outfield substitute, contributing to ' lineup as a reliable power threat and defender. Over the season, Cowser posted a .242 , .321 , and .447 , along with 24 home runs and 69 runs batted in, showcasing improved plate discipline with a 9.3% walk rate. His performance earned him a runner-up finish in the Rookie of the Year voting, behind New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil, as voted by the . Defensively, Cowser excelled in left field, where he played the majority of his 1,200-plus innings, recording 10 and 8 —leading all left fielders in both metrics—while displaying one of the strongest arms in with an average throw velocity of 93.5 mph. His range and route-running helped stabilize ' outfield, particularly during stretches when injuries affected other position players. Offensively, Cowser experienced a notable power surge after the break, hitting 15 of his 24 home runs in the second half and posting a .841 in June alone, which elevated his overall impact and solidified his place in the middle of the batting order. Cowser's season ended prematurely during the against the on October 2, 2024, when he suffered a fractured left hand after being hit by a 97 mph fastball from in the fifth inning of Game 2. The injury, which required surgery later that month, sidelined him for the remainder of the postseason as were eliminated. Despite the setback, his rookie campaign highlighted his potential as a cornerstone for .

2025 season

Prior to the 2025 season, Cowser served as the for the MLB Draft lottery held on December 10, 2024, at the Winter Meetings in , where he announced the draft order, including the securing the first overall pick. Cowser's season was derailed early by injuries, beginning with a fractured left thumb sustained on March 31, 2025, during a game, leading to his placement on the 10-day and later transfer to the 60-day on April 28; the injury was expected to sideline him for 6–8 weeks. This marked another hand-related setback following his 2024 injury, highlighting ongoing physical challenges in his young career. He underwent and completed a successful rehab assignment with Triple-A , where he hit .313 with two home runs in seven games. The Baltimore Orioles activated Cowser from the on June 2, 2025, and he made an immediate impact by hitting a in his first game back against the Seattle Mariners on June 3. However, his return was short-lived in terms of full health, as he suffered two fractured ribs (avulsion fractures) on June 12 after colliding with wall during a game against the Detroit Tigers; Cowser played through the pain for much of the summer without going on the . Later, on August 8, he was placed on the 7-day retroactive to August 7 following a collision, missing about 10 days before being activated on August 17. These setbacks limited him to 93 games, a significant drop from his 153 games in 2024. In 2025, Cowser posted a .196/.269/.385 slash line with 16 home runs, 40 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases, contributing to career totals of .216 , 40 home runs, and 113 RBIs through the season's end. His post-thumb-injury performance mirrored the overall line, though he showed power flashes, including three home runs in his first four games after the rib injury and a solo homer on August 25 against the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite these moments, the injuries hampered his consistency and plate discipline, with a 30.3% rate. The accumulated injuries curtailed Cowser's output and played a role in the Orioles' disappointing 75–87 finish, their first season outside the playoffs since 2022, as the team struggled with depth in the outfield amid multiple absences.

References

  1. https://www.mlb.com/player/colton-cowser-681297
  2. https://www.mlb.com/news/colton-cowser-gets-fan-section-at-camden-yards
  3. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cowseco01.shtml
  4. https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/orioles-gunnar-henderson-colton-cowser-made-mlb-monthly-award-winners/
  5. https://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2024/10/27/winning-players-choice-rookie-award-orioles-cowser-sets-sights-al-rookie-year/
  6. https://www.mlb.com/stories/players-of-the-week-april-15-2024
  7. https://www.mlb.com/news/q-a-with-orioles-prospect-colton-cowser
  8. https://www.sportskeeda.com/baseball/colton-cowser-parents
  9. https://www.mlb.com/news/colton-cowser-orioles-callup
  10. https://abc13.com/post/houston-star-colton-cowser-celebrates-major-league-milestone/14993720/
  11. https://www.milb.com/player/colton-cowser-681297
  12. https://www.usabaseball.com/news/gsa-spotlight-colton-cowser-s-five-tool-talent-shines-for-sam-houston
  13. https://gobearkats.com/sports/baseball/roster/colton-cowser/7360
  14. https://www.milb.com/news/scouting-report-baltimore-orioles-outfielder-colton-cowser
  15. https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/8708-colton-cowser/
  16. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=cowser000col
  17. https://www.itemonline.com/sports/cowser-named-southland-hitter-of-the-year/article_9c872204-7b31-11e9-a885-9797d2e00fe8.html
  18. https://www.usabaseball.com/player/colton-cowser
  19. https://gobearkats.com/news/2021/5/24/baseball-cowser-named-slc-player-of-the-year.aspx
  20. https://www.southland.org/news/2021/5/24/sam-houstons-colton-cowser-tabbed-southland-baseball-player-of-the-year.aspx
  21. https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/2023/orioles/colton-cowser-681297
  22. https://www.mlb.com/news/colton-cowser-drafted-no-5-by-orioles-in-mlb-draft
  23. https://www.mlb.com/news/colton-cowser-signed-by-orioles
  24. https://www.fangraphs.com/players/colton-cowser/29591/stats?position=OF
  25. https://orioleshangout.com/2022/11/14/2022-8-prospect-colton-cowser-of/
  26. https://www.milb.com/norfolk/news/cowser-grand-slam-lifts-tides-to-triple-a-national-championship
  27. https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/colton-cowser-player-stats?category=batting&seasonType=pre
  28. https://www.baseballprospectus.com/player/117074/colton-cowser/
  29. https://www.milb.com/news/a-look-back-at-the-tides-2023-championship-season
  30. https://www.mlb.com/orioles/video/nick-ramirez-in-play-run-s-to-colton-cowser
  31. https://www.mlb.com/news/colton-cowser-s-top-highlights-from-2024-season
  32. https://www.thebanner.com/sports/orioles-mlb/colton-cowser-aaron-hicks-orioles-AVYKYJXEA5HQDLV7YKXX473JXY/
  33. https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/norfolk-tides-win-international-league-championship/n-6018423
  34. https://www.mlb.com/orioles/roster/transactions/2023/09
  35. https://www.mlb.com/news/colton-cowser-makes-orioles-2024-opening-day-roster
  36. https://www.statmuse.com/mlb/ask/colton-cowser-2024-stats
  37. https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/colton-cowser-681297
  38. https://www.mlb.com/news/paul-skenes-colton-cowser-lead-rookie-of-the-year-poll
  39. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/41577420/orioles-colton-cowser-suffers-fractured-hand-hit-pitch
  40. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/10/colton-cowser-undergoes-surgery-on-fractured-hand.html
  41. https://www.mlb.com/news/colton-cowser-activated-from-injured-list-2025
  42. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/2025.shtml
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