| Gerrit Cole | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Cole with the New York Yankees in 2024 | |
| New York Yankees – No. 45 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1990-09-08)September 8, 1990 (age 34) Tustin, California, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 11, 2013, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 153–80 |
| Earned run average | 3.18 |
| Strikeouts | 2,251 |
| WHIP | 1.09 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Gerrit Alan Cole (born September 8, 1990) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theNew York Yankees ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for thePittsburgh Pirates andHouston Astros. Cole played for the baseball team atOrange Lutheran High School and was selected by the Yankees in the first round of the2008 MLB Draft. Cole opted not to sign and instead attended theUniversity of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he playedcollege baseball for theUCLA Bruins.
After his college baseball career, the Pirates made Cole thefirst overall selection in the2011 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2013 and was named theNational League (NL)Rookie of the Month in September 2013. He was named theNL Pitcher of the Month for April 2015, and anMLB All-Star in 2015. The Pirates traded Cole to the Astros in the 2017–18 offseason. On September 18, 2019, Cole became the 18th pitcher in major league history to strike out at least 300 batters in a season.[1] On December 16, 2019, the Yankees signed Cole to a franchise record nine-year, $324 million contract, thelargest contract total in major league history for a pitcher.[2]
Cole is a member of the 2022 class of theUCLA Athletics Hall of Fame. He also is the franchise record-holder for strikeouts in a single season for both the Astros (2019) and the Yankees (2022), with 326 and 257 respectively. Cole won the 2023American LeagueCy Young Award via unanimous vote.
Cole attendedOrange Lutheran High School inOrange, California. In his sophomore year, Cole pitched for the school'sjunior varsity baseball team, allowing noruns in 45innings pitched. He gained national attention while pitching for thevarsity team in his junior year, as hisfastball reached 94 miles per hour (151 km/h).[3] He reached 96 miles per hour (154 km/h) in a showcase for the bestprep school talents, and close to 50scouts attended the first game of his senior season.[3] In his senior year, Cole pitched to an 8–2win–loss record and a 0.47earned run average (ERA), while also recording 121strikeouts in 75 innings.[4]
In 2008,USA Today named Cole to theirAll-USA high school baseball team.[5]Baseball America rated him the 17th-best prospect available in the2008 Major League Baseball draft. He was named thestarting pitcher of the 2008Orange County North-South All-Star Game.[6]
After his senior year, theNew York Yankees selected Cole in the first round, with the 28th overall selection, of the2008 Major League Baseball draft, becoming the first player ever drafted out ofOrange Lutheran High School. The Yankees were reportedly planning on offering Cole a $4 millionsigning bonus, which was above the recommended amount for the slot.[5] As the Yankees planned to give Cole a large bonus to sign, they waited until the deadline to attempt to sign him.[7] By the time the deadline approached, Cole and his family had considered many variables, comparing players who sign out of high school to those who go to college, and decided to follow through with his commitment to attend theUniversity of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on acollege baseball scholarship.[7][8][9] Despite being represented byScott Boras, and though the Yankees were believed to be ready to offer upwards of $4 million, Cole never negotiated with the Yankees, as he was determined to attend college.[10] He majored in political science with a minor in theater at UCLA and had serious thought of pursuing an acting career had he not become a professional baseball player.
John Savage,coach of theUCLA Bruins, made Cole the team's Friday nightstarting pitcher in his freshman year.[3] That season, Cole recorded a 4–8 win-loss record with a 3.49 ERA, collecting 104 strikeouts in 85 innings. Cole was a member of the 2009United States collegiate national baseball team and was named to the 2010 Collegiate National Team roster.[11][12][13] He competed in the2010 World University Baseball Championship.
During UCLA's 2010 season, Cole andTrevor Bauer contributed in making the Bruins the bestbaseball team (51–17 record) in school history and the second-best team in the country. Cole had an 11–4 win–loss record, a 3.37 ERA, and 153 strikeouts in 123 innings.[3] His 153 strikeouts placed Cole third among collegiate pitchers.[14] The Bruins went on to play in the2010 College World Series, but were defeated bySouth Carolina in theNCAA Championship Series.[15]
Cole's statistics declined in 2011, his junior year. He finished the season with a 6–8 win-loss record and a 3.31 ERA, with 119 strikeouts in114+1⁄3 innings.[16][17]
Heading into the2011 MLB draft, Cole, Bauer, andDanny Hultzen, who was also a college pitcher, were seen as among the best available talents in the draft.[18] ThePittsburgh Pirates selected Cole with thefirst overall selection. He signed a minor league contract with an $8 millionsigning bonus, the highest signing bonus ever offered to a rookie, 15 minutes before the signing deadline on August 15, 2011.[19][20] Though he signed too late to pitch in the 2011 minor league season, he pitched for theMesa Solar Sox of theArizona Fall League (AFL). He recorded 16strikeouts in 15innings pitched for the Solar Sox and had a 3.00earned run average (ERA) and a 0.93walks plus hits per inning pitched ratio (WHIP). He was selected to start the AFL Rising Stars game in November 2011.[21]
The Pirates invited Cole tospring training in 2012 as a non-roster invitee, but they reassigned him to theminor leagues.[22] Cole started the 2012 season with theBradenton Marauders of theClass A-AdvancedFlorida State League, along with fellow starting pitcherJameson Taillon, the Pirates' first selection in the2010 MLB draft.[23] Cole was named a FSL Mid-Season All-Star. He was promoted to theAltoona Curve of theClass AAEastern League on June 15, 2012.[24] He was named to appear in the 2012All-Star Futures Game.[25] In twelve starts with the Curve, Cole pitched to a 2.90 ERA, before the Pirates promoted him to theIndianapolis Indians of theClass AAAInternational League on August 29, 2012.[26]
Prior to the 2013 season, Cole was ranked as the ninth best prospect in baseball byMLB.com.[27] Cole played for the Indianapolis Indians to start the 2013 season. Cole pitched to a 5–3 record and a 2.91 ERA in 12 starts for Indianapolis.[28]
Due to injuries toJames McDonald andWandy Rodríguez, the Pirates promoted Cole to the major leagues, to make his MLB debut on June 11, 2013.[28][29] During his debut, he struck out the first batter he faced,Gregor Blanco, on three pitches; the last one at 99 miles per hour (159 km/h). He also recorded his first career hit, a 2-run single with the bases loaded in his first career plate appearance. Cole pitched6+1⁄3 innings being charged with two earned runs and got the win as the Pirates won over theSan Francisco Giants, 8–2. Cole became the fourth pitcher since 1920 to drive in 2+ runs and earn the win in his Major League debut. Cole was the first Pirate to start his career with wins in his first four starts sinceNick Maddox in 1907.[30] He was the fifth pitcher for any team to accomplish the feat in the past 40 years, joiningRich Gale of the1978Royals,Kaz Ishii of the2002Dodgers,Jered Weaver of the2006Angels, andScott Lewis of the2008Indians.[31][32]
Cole was voted theNational League (NL)Rookie of the Month for September 2013. On the month, Cole had a 4–0 record and led all rookies with a 1.69 ERA and 39 strikeouts.[33][34] Cole had a 10–7 record and a 3.22 ERA in 19 starts for Pittsburgh in 2013. Cole started Game Two of the2013 National League Division Series, going sixinnings allowing twohits, oneearned run, and fivestrikeouts, and ultimately defeating theSt. Louis Cardinals.[18] The Pirates chose Cole to start the deciding Game 5 overA. J. Burnett.[29] The Cardinals won the game and the series.[35]
After focusing on hisfastball during his rookie season, Cole entered 2014spring training working on improving hiscurveball andslider.[36] Cole had been a durable pitcher in 2014 pitching75+1⁄3 innings, but managerClint Hurdle acknowledged on June 7 that Cole would miss at least one start with shoulder fatigue.[37] Cole was placed on the 15-daydisabled list the next day[38] and activated on June 28.[39]
On September 7, 2014, Cole hit his first career home run atWrigley Field off ofChicago Cubs pitcherBlake Parker.[40] On September 23, Cole helped the Pirates clinch a second consecutive playoff berth by beatingAlex Wood and theAtlanta Braves.[41]
Cole won theNL Pitcher of the Month Award for April 2015, after going 4–0 with a 1.76 ERA and 35 strikeouts in30+2⁄3 innings pitched for the month.[42] He started the2015 National League Wild Card Game against the Cubs but took the loss after giving up four earned runs on six hits and a walk in five innings pitched.[43]
On June 14, 2016, Cole was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a right triceps strain. On July 27, Cole pitched his firstcomplete game against theSeattle Mariners.[44] In 2017, Cole was 12–12 with a 4.26 ERA, as he led the National League with 33 starts.
The Pirates and Cole reached an agreement in January 2018 on a one-year, $6.75 million contract.[45]
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On January 13, 2018, the Pirates traded Cole to theHouston Astros forJoe Musgrove,Michael Feliz,Colin Moran andJason Martin.[46]
On April 29, 2018, Cole struck out 12 hitters in a game against theOakland Athletics that resulted in a no-decision but an Astros win. In doing so, Cole broke the Astros strikeout record for April with 61 strikeouts in the first month. He finished his first month in an Astros uniform going 2–1 with 61 strikeouts and a 1.73 ERA in41+2⁄3 innings pitched.[47] On May 4, against theArizona Diamondbacks Cole struck out 16, allowed only one hit, and pitched his first career shutout as the Astros won 8–0.[48]
Cole was elected to his firstAmerican League All-Star appearance (second overall). Cole did not appear in the game but finished the first half of the season with a 10–2 record with a 2.52 ERA and 177 strikeouts.[49] He finished the season with 276 strikeouts, a new career high and good for second-most in the American League behind teammateJustin Verlander, a 15–5 record, and a 2.88 ERA, his best since the 2015 season. He led the majors in strikeouts per 9 innings (12.40).[50] In Game 2 of the2018 American League Division Series against theCleveland Indians, Cole struck out 12 and walked none in seven innings in a 3–1 victory. Cole became the second pitcher to strike out at least 12 hitters with no walks in the postseason, afterTom Seaver in the1973 National League Championship Series.[51]
On September 8, 2019, his 29th birthday, Cole became the second pitcher ever to strike out 14 or more hitters in three consecutive games.[52] On September 18, 2019, Cole struck out his 300th batter of the season, becoming the third Astros pitcher to strike out 300 batters in a single season, afterJ. R. Richard andMike Scott. Cole became the second-fastest pitcher to register 300 strikeouts in terms of innings pitched. His198+1⁄3 innings trailed onlyRandy Johnson, who achieved the feat in197+2⁄3 innings in 2001.[53] The following start, September 24, 2019, Cole struck out 14 batters to break the single-season strikeout record for any Astros pitcher, bringing his total to 316 on the year, and allowing only two singles in his appearance of seven scoreless innings.[54] In his next start on September 29, 2019, Cole set an MLB record with his ninth consecutive outings with at least 10 strikeouts.[55]
Cole's performance since February 2018 and through the 2019 season was markedly different from his earlier seasons, due to intervention by the Astros management and coaching staff. Cole vastly reduced the number oftwo-seam fastballs he threw, threw more into the top of thestrike zone, and increased the spin rate of his fastball.[56]
Cole finished the 2019 season with a 20–5 record and a 0.895 WHIP. He led the American League with a 2.50 ERA and led the major leagues in strikeouts (326), strikeout percentage (39.9%), and strikeouts per nine innings (13.82). He became the first full-time starting pitcher in MLB history to average more than one and a half strikeouts per inning in a season.[57][58] He finished second in voting for the 2019 Cy Young Award, behind Verlander with 159 points to Verlander's 171.[59]
On December 18, 2019, the Yankees signed Cole to a franchise record nine-year, $324 million contract.[60][61][62] Cole's contract is the largest signed by a pitcher, topping the $245 million, seven-year contract signed byStephen Strasburg. Cole's contract has an average annual value of $36 million, which represented the highest average annual value of any player contract inMajor League Baseball at that time, eclipsing the previous average annual value record set byMike Trout, at an average annual value of $35.5 million.[63] The contract also allows Cole to opt out and become a free agent again after the fifth year; however, if he attempts to do so, the Yankees can choose to prevent him from doing so by adding an additional year and $36 million to his contract, which would bring the total length and value of the contract to 10 years and $360 million.[64]
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On July 23, 2020, Cole made his Yankees debut as anOpening Day starting pitcher throwing 5 innings against theWashington Nationals and allowing just one hit, a home run byAdam Eaton. Cole's regular-season winning streak reached 20, the third-longest in MLB history, but his streak ended on August 26, 2020, when he took a loss against theAtlanta Braves.[65] Through August 4, 2020, his 242 strikeouts are a Major League record since his last loss. He would lose three decisions in a row, but on September 11, 2020, Cole ended his 3-game losing streak by throwing a 2-hitter complete game shutout against theBaltimore Orioles. As it was a doubleheader, the game only went 7 innings.[66] He ended his first season as a Yankee with a 7–3 record, throwing to a 2.84 ERA in 73 innings and striking out 94.[67]
On September 29, 2020, in his Yankees playoff debut, during Game 1 of thewild card series against theCleveland Indians, Cole struck out 13 batters without a walk, tyingTom Seaver (1973 NLCS Game 1) and second most in Yankees franchise history. He also became the first Major Leaguer in history to win three postseason games with 12 or more strikeouts. OnlyRoger Clemens (15 K's) has fanned more in a postseason start with the Yankees.[68] In the 2020ALDS against theTampa Bay Rays, he was thewinning pitcher in Game 1, and received a no-decision in the decisive game 5, which the Yankees would go on to lose.[69]
On April 12, after recording 8 strikeouts and retiring 15 batters in a row in a game against theToronto Blue Jays, Cole became the Yankees pitcher with the most strikeouts in the first three starts of the season of all time, matchingDavid Cone (1997) with 29. On May 12, 2021, Cole notched his 1,500th career strikeout, becoming the second-fastest pitcher in history to reach the milestone behindRandy Johnson.[70]
Cole finished the 2021 season with a 3.23 ERA and 243 strikeouts in181+1⁄3 innings over 30 starts. He led the American League with 16 wins and a 5.93 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He finished second in American LeagueCy Young Award voting behindRobbie Ray.[71]
In the2021 American League Wild Card Game at Fenway Park, Cole pitched two innings and gave up three earned runs and two home runs in a loss to the Boston Red Sox.[72]
On November 23, Cole was named a First Team selection for theAll-MLB Team, which was determined by a fan vote and a panel consisting of media members, former players, and baseball officials. It was his third consecutive All-MLB selection, as he was on the First Team in 2019 with theHouston Astros, and appeared on the Second Team with the Yankees in 2020.[73]
Against the Minnesota Twins on June 9, Cole allowed three consecutive home runs to the first three batters he faced. He allowed 5 total home runs in only 2.1 innings, but the Yankees came back and won 10–7. While playing against the Seattle Mariners on August 3, Cole allowed 6 runs in the first inning on 3 home runs. It was the most runs allowed in the first inning at home sincePhil Hughes back in 2013.
On October 4, 2022, Cole recorded his 249th strikeout of the season against the Texas Rangers, surpassingRon Guidry for the franchise record.[74] He made 33 starts in 2022 with an MLB-leading 257 strikeouts, a 13–8 record, a 3.50 ERA, and a career-high 33 home runs allowed.[75] He received one fifth place vote in balloting for the Cy Young Award.[76] Cole became the first right-handed pitcher in Yankees history to lead all of MLB in strikeouts in a single season and the first Yankee to lead the American League in strikeouts sinceAl Downing in 1964.
Cole was named the AL Pitcher of the Month in April after winning five of six starts and allowing only 5 runs in 40.2 innings pitched.[77] He registered his 2,000th career strikeout during a game against theBaltimore Orioles on May 23, becoming the 87th pitcher overall to reach this milestone. He also became the third-fastest pitcher in MLB history (1,714.2 fewest innings) to reach accomplish this feat, just behindChris Sale (1,626) andPedro Martinez (1,711.1).[78]
On July 10, 2023, Cole was named the starting pitcher for the 2023 MLB All-Star Game, the first time that a Yankees starting pitcher started the All-Star game sinceRoger Clemens in 2001.[79] On September 27, against the Blue Jays, Cole pitched a complete game shutout in his final start of the 2023 season.[80]
Cole finished 2023 with 33 games started, accumulating a 15-4 record with an ERA of 2.63 and registering 222 strikeouts in 209 innings.[81] He made 24quality starts and pitched two complete games.[81] Cole also lowered hisWHIP to 0.98 for the season. He conceded 20 home runs, his lowest in a non-shortened season since 2018.[81] His $36 million salary was the 6th-highest in the AL.[82]
After the season, Cole won theAL Cy Young Award by a unanimous vote.[83]
During spring training, Cole began to experience discomfort in his right elbow. He was deactivated from all baseball activities for at least a month and sent to California to have Dr.Neal ElAttrache perform some additional opinions.[84] The elbow only had inflammation and edema, meaning that Cole was recommended to rest for 3-4 weeks.[85] He was placed on the 60–day injured list on March 28, 2024.[86] On June 19, Cole was activated from the injured list.[87] He made his first major league start on June 19 against theBaltimore Orioles, registering five strikeouts in four innings pitched.[88] In his second start on June 25, Cole conceded six runs across four innings against theNew York Mets without recording a strikeout, only the second time in his major league career that he failed to record a strikeout.[89] On June 30, against theToronto Blue Jays, Cole collected his first win for 2024.[90]
Cole appeared in theWorld Series for the second time in his career, pitching in Games 1 and 5 against theLos Angeles Dodgers but receiving a no-decision in each.[91][92] On November 2, Cole opted out of his contract with the Yankees, however the team could add one year and $36 million to his existing deal by Sunday evening to void the opt out and extend his contract and tenure with the team.[93]
On November 4, it was announced that Cole would return to the Yankees and would not become a free agent. He remained with the team on a four-year, $144 million contract, the same contract he opted out of two days prior, although extension talks with him and the Yankees will continue.[94]
Again duringspring training, Cole began experiencing discomfort in his pitching elbow, allowing 6 runs in two innings during a spring training outing. After gettingMRI scans, Cole announced via his Instagram that he would undergoTommy John surgery after being recommended the procedure by medical personnel. He will miss the 2025 season.[95][96]
Cole is apower pitcher who features afour-seam andtwo-seam fastball that he regularly throws around 97 mph,[97] but have been clocked as high as 102 miles per hour (164 km/h) in college.[98] He also throws aslider,knuckle curve,changeup, and as of 2022, has reintroduced hiscutter which is a pitch he has not thrown since college.[99] Between 2017 and 2018, due to his increased spin rate and a more complete arm deceleration and follow-through, his fastball got a lower WHIP, and used hissinker less often, no longer "pitching to contact."[100] LikePedro Martinez, he throws from a low three-quarters position.[101] In the first round of 2019 ALDS, his strikeout pitches were high fastballs, sliders and knuckle curveballs which curve down and away from right-handed batters.[102]
Cole is the elder son of Mark and Sharon. He has a younger sister, Erin.[3] Erin attended UCLA, where she played for theBruins soccer team.[104] Cole grew up as a fan of theNew York Yankees, as his father, raised inSyracuse, New York, passed down his affinity for the Yankees to his son.[105] Cole is of Italian descent.[106]
Cole attended the2001 World Series, in which theYankees took part.[7][8] He held a sign that said "YANKEE FAN TODAY TOMORROW FOREVER," and a photograph shared byNewsday wentviral in 2019 when news of his signing with the Yankees was reported.[107] He brought the sign to his introductory press conference with the Yankees.[108]
In the same introductory press conference with the Yankees, Cole thanked the lateMarvin Miller, the former executive director of theMajor League Baseball Players Association andNational Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, along with lateCurt Flood, for their pivotal roles in establishingfree agency forMajor League Baseball players.[109][110][111]
Cole is married to Amy Crawford, a formerUCLA softball player and the sister ofBrandon Crawford. They met when they attended UCLA.[112] On January 1, 2020, Amy announced their first pregnancy.[113] Their son Caden Gerrit Cole was born on June 30, 2020.[114] Their second son Everett was born on January 2, 2023. They live inGreenwich, Connecticut.[115][116]
Cole has a passion for cooking, and he and his wife had a blog where they wrote about their favorite recipes.[117][118]
Cole is musically inclined and plays piano and guitar. He can read sheet music.[119]
On December 4, 2020, Cole was elected to the MLBPA's Executive Subcommittee.[120]
As of 2021[update], Cole still drives his white 2006Toyota Tacoma, which he has had since high school and UCLA, as it was a gift from his father.[121][122]
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | National League Pitcher of the Month April 2015 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | American League Pitcher of the Month June–July 2019 September 2019 April 2021 April 2023 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Major League Baseball annualWHIP leader 2023 | Succeeded by Most recent |
