Pittsburgh Pirates' Renaissance ─ Gerrit Cole

Gerrit Cole, Pirates’ rookie sensation, has developed into their first legitimate top-of-the-rotation pitcher since Doug Drabek. He posted a 10-7 record in 117.1 innings with a 3.22 ERA of his 19 starts. The lack of strikeouts was certainly worrisome in seven first half starts; nevertheless, it did not take long for Gerrit Cole to figure out how to translate his electric stuff into missed bats. In 12 second half starts, Cole has managed to put up a 2.72 FIP, 2.80 xFIP, 8.92 k/9, 3.95 K/BB and 25.3 K%.

Cole’s pitch type classification data from Baseball Info Solutions:

FB%	SL%	CB%	CH%
64.8% (96.1)	15.0% (89.1)	12.4% (83.4)	7.8% (88.0)

Cole dominates hitters with a 94-98 mph four-seam fastball that clocks as high as 101 mph. He also features a two-seamer that peaks at 98 mph. Cole has clean mechanics and a prototypical power workhorse body. Below is Cole’s scouting grades from Baseball America:

2012 Fastball: 80. Slider: 70. Changeup: 65. Command/Control: 55. Delivery:65. 
2013 Fastball: 80. Slider:70. Changeup: 60. Control: 55. Command: 50.  

98 mph two-seam fastball

Cole is known for his uncommonly fast slider. It is a potential plus-plus offering, climbing from 87-90 mph and topping out as high as 93 mph on occasion with unbelievable late tilt. It is very reminiscent of Matt Harvey’s slider with tight and compact break.

88 mph slider

Cole’s changeup remains a work in progress. When the right-hander works out his changeup and can throw it more consistently with a tighter rotation that is going to break less, but sharper and later; it actually resembles a Clemens-like splitter, especially because Cole throws it hard in the high-80s.

92 mph Changeup

Cole’s Whiff/Swing and Whiff Count in 2013 from Brooks Baseball:

	Four Seam	Sinker	Change	Slider	Curve
Whiff/Swing	14.58	13.53	29.58	31.11	43.01
Whiff Count	43	28	21	42	40

Statically, Cole's curveball is significantly nastier than some big names out there ─ Well established like Clayton Kershaw and Adam Wainwright, or newly emerging Jose Fernandez. There is no question that Cole has a good curveball, but is it as good as advertised by Whiff/Swing?

83 mph Curveball

Whiff/Swing is an pitch-to-pitch outcome and useful figure for analysis. It somewhat gives us an intuitive understanding of a pitch’s nastiness. Whiff/Swing is highly correlated with K%. It is one of the variables and a good proxy to help us to understand a single at-bat result and whatever or not the pitcher is utilizing his pitches correctly. The question is that a very filthy and unhittable pitch can actually be hampered by a mediocre hitter in any given at-bat. The art of pitching doesn’t exist in isolation. Pitch effectiveness has a lot to do with anticipation and hitting approach of batters. Even so, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Cole’s pitches on BA best tools in a near future. As Jameson Taillon is approaching big league readiness, a potential No.1 starter for most organizations; it is a luxury to have Taillon to slot in at No.2 as an ultimate wingman for Gerrit Cole. With Andrew McCutchen, arguably the best all-around player in the National League, is officially locked up and under a six-year team-friendly contract worth $51.5 million with a club option for 2018, Bucco fans have every reason to claim Pirates’ run of success could last many years.