2023 Future Stars Series Main Event player profile: Cole Lanford

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Mike Ashmore

September 26, 2023

Welcome back, Cole Lanford.

A North Carolina native and Old Dominion University commit, the six-foot-three, 205-pound left-handed pitcher is back for his second straight New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series Main Event, having earned his way to last year’s games as a 2024 grad.

There, he showed he belonged, allowing just one hit in three innings of work in Hartford’s Dunkin Donuts Park.

At the National Combine, he showed it was a no-brainer to bring him back, as he delivered another one of his trademark big performances, as well as showing off his just as well-known big personality on the loaded Red Team in Nashville.

“The Future Stars Series Main Events are what baseball players dream of,” Lanford said. “Being able to make the top event two years in a row is an honor and to have the opportunity to pitch on a major-league field is a dream. The relationships I have made with coaches here are those that will last a lifetime. I have learned so much from all of them and continue to learn at every event.”

Lanford is set for one of the prestigious starts at Fenway Park this year, tentatively slated to take the ball for the Orange Team in Game Two of Saturday’s scheduled doubleheader. While he did get to take batting practice in Boston last year, this will be his first actual game action on the big stage, and he couldn’t be more excited for it.

“Playing at Fenway is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” he said. “I can’t wait for my grandparents to be able to watch me toe the rubber at Fenway. They are so excited to be able to come with us to Boston.”

With a three-pitch mix that includes a fastball that sits between 88-90 miles per hour, and feel for both a slider and changeup, Lanford has impressed with both his stuff and strong makeup, and has taken the instruction from the FSS development staff at Shelby Park to heart as he looks to deliver another big outing.

“The advice the coaching staff gave me was to get stronger and move faster down the mound,” Lanford said. “Since they gave me that advice, I have been working on it consistently and hope to show that I have grown in those areas.”

Mike Ashmore
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