PITTSBURGH (AP) – The future has arrived for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Rookie right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole will make his major league debut on Tuesday night when the Pirates host defending World Series-champion San Francisco Giants. The 22-year-old Cole was Pittsburgh’s top pick in the 2011 draft and sprinted through the minors.
Cole went 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA in 12 starts with Triple-A Indianapolis this spring before being called up to fill the spot in the rotation left by an injury to starter Jeanmar Gomez. Cole’s fastball tops out at 99 mph but Indianapolis manager Dean Treanor says Cole has evolved into a better all-around pitcher over the last few months.
Cole is expected to eventually become Pittsburgh’s ace but for now will try to contribute for a team in the thick of the NL Central race.
Add A Comment