2016 Dodgers review: Jharel Cotton

The Dodgers traded Jharel Cotton as part of the deal to get Rich Hill and Josh Reddick from Oakland, and Cotton acquitted himself well in his first major league stint in September with the A’s.

What went right

Cotton, drafted by the Dodgers in the 20th round in 2012, was added to the 40-man roster in November 2015, and was a part of his first major league camp in spring training in 2016.

The right-hander struck out 29.5% of his batters with Triple-A Oklahoma City in 22 games, including 16 starts.

Cotton represented the Dodgers for the World team in the 2016 MLB Futures Game on July 10 in San Diego, and retired the one batter he faced to earn the win in the game.

In his second start with Triple-A Nashville after the trade, Cotton retired the first 26 batters he faced and struck out 12, falling one batter short of a perfect game.

Called up to the majors in September, Cotton was 2-0 with a 2.15 ERA in five starts for Oakland, with 23 strikeouts against only four walks in 29⅓ innings.

What went wrong

Had a 9.00 ERA in six relief appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City, including four home runs allowed in 10 innings, compared to a 4.43 ERA as a starter before the trade.

2016 particulars

Age: 24

Stats: 8-5, 4.90 ERA, 4.54 FIP, 119 strikeouts in 97⅓ innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City

Salary: $507,500, of which he received a pro-rated portion in September with the A’s.

Game of the year

Keeping this to only his time in the Dodgers organization, we’ll go with May 23 at Fresno. Cotton struck out 10 while allowing only one hit and one walk in five innings.

Roster status

Cotton is no longer a Dodger, now with the A’s and with six more years of team control before eligible for free agency.