Colton Cowser Bio
Colton Dale Cowser, nicknamed “The Milkman,” 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, establishing himself as a standout hitter before being selected fifth overall in the 2021 MLB Draft. Cowser has quickly risen through the Orioles’ farm system and is considered one of the most promising young outfielders in the American League.
Early Life and Background
Colton Dale Cowser was born on March 20, 2000, in the United States. He grew up in Cypress, Texas, where he attended Cypress Ranch High School. During his senior season in 2018, Cowser earned all-state honors after batting .411 with 38 runs batted in (RBI) and 30 stolen bases, demonstrating an early combination of contact hitting, power potential, and base-running speed. Despite his strong high school performance, Cowser was not selected in the 2018 MLB Draft and chose to continue his baseball development at the collegiate level.
After high school, Cowser enrolled at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, to play college baseball for the Sam Houston State Bearkats. The move allowed him to refine his offensive game against strong Southland Conference competition and provided a clear path toward professional baseball.
Path to Baseball
In 2019, Cowser’s freshman season at Sam Houston State, he was immediately placed into the starting lineup. He batted .361 with seven home runs, 54 RBI, and nine stolen bases over 56 games, earning the Southland Conference Hitter of the Year Award. He was also named a Freshman All-American by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, Perfect Game, and D1Baseball.com. Following the season, Cowser earned a spot on the Team USA Collegiate National Team and was named Most Valuable Player of the 2019 USA vs. Cuba Friendship Series after batting .438 with six runs scored.
The 2020 season was cut short after 14 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which Cowser hit .255 with one home run. As a junior in 2021, he returned to form with a .374/.490/.680 slash line, 16 home runs, and 52 RBI over 55 games. He was named the Southland Conference Player of the Year and selected to the All-Defensive Team, cementing his status as one of the top amateur players in the country.
Colton Cowser Career
Early Career (2021)
The Baltimore Orioles selected Cowser in the first round with the fifth overall pick of the 2021 MLB Draft, and he signed for a $4.9 million signing bonus. 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. After batting .500 over 22 at-bats, he was promoted to the Delmarva Shorebirds of the Low-A East.
Over 25 games with Delmarva, Cowser batted .347 with one home run and 26 RBI, finishing his first professional season on a strong note. His rapid adjustment to professional pitching signaled his readiness for higher levels of competition.
Minor League Progression (2022–2023)
Cowser was assigned to the Aberdeen IronBirds of the High-A South Atlantic League to begin the 2022 season. He earned midseason promotions to the Bowie Baysox of the Double-A Eastern League in late June and to the Norfolk Tides of the Triple-A International League in late August. Across 138 games at three levels, he slashed .278/.406/.469 with 19 home runs, 66 RBI, 18 stolen bases, and 36 doubles, showcasing his balanced offensive skill set.
Opening the 2023 season back at Norfolk, Cowser hit .330/.459/.537 with 10 home runs and 40 RBI in 56 games. On July 5, 2023, he was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time, making his MLB debut that day in a 6–3 victory over the New York Yankees. He recorded his first major league hit, an RBI single off reliever Nick Ramirez, in the sixth inning. Cowser received the Most Valuable Player Award at the Triple-A National Championship Game won by the Tides over the Oklahoma City Dodgers 7–6 on September 30, going 2-for-4 with a two-out grand slam in the seventh inning.
Baltimore Orioles Era (2023–Present)
Cowser made the Orioles’ Opening Day roster in 2024 and quickly delivered key contributions. On April 9, 2024, he drove in four runs in a 7–1 win over the Boston Red Sox, and two nights later, on April 11, he hit the first two home runs of his MLB career in a 10-inning 9–4 victory over Boston, totaling 10 RBI during a three-game sweep of the Red Sox at Fenway Park. In 153 games for the Orioles, Cowser slashed .242/.321/.447 with 24 home runs and 69 RBI. His strong rookie campaign placed him second in American League Rookie of the Year voting, finishing only five points behind New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Gil in 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 after taking a pitch off his hand while swinging. The Orioles announced that he suffered a broken left hand, and he underwent successful surgery on October 15 to repair the fracture. He served as the master of ceremonies of the 2025 MLB Draft Lottery at the Winter Meetings on December 10, 2024. On March 31, 2025, Cowser was ruled out for six-to-eight weeks with a broken left thumb suffered when he dove into first base during a close play against the Toronto Blue Jays, and he was activated off the injured list on June 2, 2025.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Cowser’s signature accomplishments are his fifth-overall selection in the 2021 MLB Draft, his grand slam in the 2023 Triple-A National Championship Game, and his 10-RBI series against the Boston Red Sox in April 2024. His second-place finish in American League Rookie of the Year voting highlighted his immediate impact at the major league level.
Colton Cowser Career Wins
While wins are tracked differently in baseball than in individual sports, Cowser’s career is defined by team achievements in the minor leagues and individual performance milestones in the majors. His most celebrated team accomplishment came with the Norfolk Tides, who won the 2023 Triple-A National Championship.
Minor League Highlights
Cowser earned the Most Valuable Player Award at the 2023 Triple-A National Championship Game after going 2-for-4 with a go-ahead grand slam. Across his 2021 debut and 2022 climb through the Orioles’ system, he consistently produced at each level, finishing 2022 with a .278/.406/.469 line across High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A. His 2023 performance at Norfolk, where he hit .330/.459/.537, further established his offensive credentials.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with a setback for Cowser, as he suffered a broken left thumb on March 31, 2025, during a close play at first base against the Toronto Blue Jays and was ruled out for six-to-eight weeks. He was activated off the injured list on June 2, 2025, and rejoined an Orioles club aiming to build on its recent postseason appearances. His return added a key outfield bat and left-handed thump to the Baltimore lineup.
Cowser’s blend of plate discipline, power, and athleticism will be central to the Orioles’ offensive outlook in 2025, particularly as he works to build on his 24-home-run rookie campaign. His role as a versatile corner outfielder, combined with his arm strength and base-running ability, gives Baltimore flexibility in both lineup construction and late-game matchups. With a full season of major league experience behind him, Cowser is positioned to take a meaningful step forward as the Orioles continue their competitive push in the American League.