Purdue RHP Cole Van Assen brings strike-throwing power and big-game poise
Van Assen stands out as a durable right-hander with a history of missing bats and attacking the zone, including 90 strikeouts in 78 innings with a 1.79 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 2023 and a seven-strikeout, no-walk complete game at Brother Rice[3][1]. At Purdue, his 2026 line shows some volatility, with a 5.96 ERA and 65 strikeouts, but his size (6'3", 205) and starter’s workload still suggest rotation value if you want innings and competitiveness[2][3]. He looks like a fit for teams that value strike-throwers who can handle pressure, though the current results say there’s still refinement to do[2][3].
