Dylan

Cozens

Cozens appeared in 27 games with the Phillies from 2018-2019 while batting .154/.267/.282 over 45 plate appearances. He also spent time in the Rays and Brewers organizations, including a .177/.343/.329 batting line 100 plate appearances with Milwaukee’s Triple-A affiliate this year. The 6-foot-6, 245-pounder actually played defensive end in high school and committed to play at the University of Arizona before deciding to sign with the Phillies in 2012. His father, Randy Cozens, was actually drafted by the Broncos but never played in a game, so it makes sense why he would want to try to follow in his footsteps.

Cozens was released by the Phillies in the summer of 2019, and the former second-round pick was signed by the Rays to a two-year minor league pact. While he has impressive power, he has even more unimpressive ability to make consistent contact.

He was released by the Phillies last week. Cozens has been out of action since May due to a toe injury that required surgery. He was ruled out for the season at that point but now there is some hope he could be ready to play by September. Cozens has exhibited huge power and huge strikeout rates throughout his professional career.

Cozens had season-ending surgery on his toe back in May and the Phillies have decided to move on from him. The 24-year-old was a decent prospect a few years ago and should land on his feet somewhere.

The move clears a spot for the newly-acquired Corey Dickerson on the 40-man roster. Cozens was a trendy name a couple of years back after putting up a 40-homer season in Double-A, but making contact has always been an issue. The 24-year-old batted .158 (6-for-38) with 24 strikeouts in 26 games as a rookie last year and appeared in one game with the Phillies this year before undergoing season-ending surgery in May to remove a bone spur and repair cartilage in his left big toe. It’s very possible he’ll pass through waivers unclaimed.

Cozens had appeared in just one game for the Phillies this year. He was batting .167/.333/.462 with six home runs and 42 strikeouts in 23 games (99 plate appearances) at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 24-year-old outfielder will be out of minor league options in 2020.

His stay with the big club turned out to be brief. He grounded out in his only plate appearance on Friday and now heads back to the minors to make room for Jean Segura, who was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move. Cozens will return to Lehigh Valley where he has a .218 batting average with six home runs in 16 games. The 24-year-old should be back up again the next time the Phillies need a bat.

Quinn was placed on the 10-day injured list on Thursday afternoon after suffering a right groin strain on Wednesday night against the Mets, and an MRI has revealed it to be of the Grade 2 variety, which is quite severe. Odubel Herrera (hamstring) is also currently on the injured list, so Andrew McCutchen might get some run in center. Aaron Altherr is an option there too, as is Dylan Cozens.

Cozens had a big showing in the Grapefruit League this spring and was sporting a 1.017 OPS with six home runs and 14 RBI through 16 games this season at the Triple-A level, but the 24-year-old outfielder probably won’t get enough playing time to provide meaningful mixed league fantasy value.

Cozens hit four home runs and compiled a .941 OPS over 43 plate appearances this spring in the Grapefruit League, but any chance of him making the Phillies’ Opening Day roster died on the vine when Bryce Harper was signed to a 13-year, $330 million contract.