Cotton isn't that imposing looking at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, but his pitches are. His fastball consistently pops in the low 90s. But Cotton's changeup is his punch card.

"It's 80, 81 miles an hour, and I think it's Major League quality," Morgan said. "It's made not only because of his movement but also because he's been able to locate his fastball. When he's locating his fastball, that changeup is really unhittable."

The Outer Banks Daredevils found that out on June 2. In 7 2/3 innings, Cotton struck out 14 and walked none. He and reliever Coby Cowgill combined for a no-hitter.

Cotton lost his next start against Martinsville, though he pitched a decent game by giving up three runs in six innings. Eight days later, he had his worst outing — six hits, two runs in 3 1/3 innings.

"I've been off my game a little bit because I hadn't been doing my work," said Cotton, who is 2-1 with a 2.74 ERA. "I hadn't been doing my bullpens. I wasn't running like I was supposed to. I was slacking."

If you think having three Menchville pitchers on the Pilots' roster is unusual, consider this: It could be four or even five in a couple of weeks. Jharel Cotton and Matt Armstead, who along with Chrismon and Carter played on the Monarchs' 2009 state championship team, are under consideration.

Cotton just completed his second season at Miami-Dade College and was taken in the 28th round of the draft by the New York Mets. He's been rehabilitating an elbow injury this summer but says he might be ready to pitch by the end of July.