RADIO
Strong Finish in 2014 Makes Cole Worth a Look
The best kinds of sleepers in a fantasy baseball draft are the ones who have shown the potential to be an all-star fantasy player, but have never really put it all together. Take that with a grain of salt, because over time that optimism should turn into skepticism (take a guy like BJ Upton for example). However, with Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole, I think optimism is appropriate for the 2015 season.
After being called up to the big leagues in 2013, Cole showed he was worth the hype by hurling his way to an impressive 10-7 record with a 3.22 ERA. He followed up that year with an even better sophomore record of 11-5 but carried an inflated 3.65 ERA. Part of Cole's ERA issues have been a result of falling victim to BABIP, but hitters can't get lucky forever. The only hiccup in the pitcher's second season was a pair of DL stints that kept him in MiLB for a couple of months. However, the most encouraging signs of all came during the return from those shoulder and back injuries: he finished the year with a 4-1 record in eight games with 10.32 K/9 IP. Based on his finish, it could be that Cole has figured it out for good. It's like that his strong finish will lead to an incredible first full year for the 6'4" starter.
Gerrit Cole has some filthy stuff. The dude chucks a 95 mph fastball (four-seam and two-seam) about half of the time that can top out around 98. Then, he plays with hitters by throwing his slider, curve or changeup that drops off the table, all above average pitches.
I was able to see one of his AAA rehab starts in Rochester last summer from right behind home plate, and the Indianapolis Indians catcher Tony Sanchez said something to the effect of, "I forgot how hard he threw," as he was jogging past us back to the dugout. Cole only let up one hit with three strikeouts during that outing. Small sample size? Sure. But this guy is good by any measure, eye test or statistical test.
"Ok, so he's good. What's the point man? Everyone in the fantasy draft before round 15 is going to be good." - Every reader out there
I hear you all loud and clear, and here's the point: Cole is being ranked somewhere between the 27 and 35 spots for SPs in a variety of different site rankings (Cole is 28th in RotoBaller's composite site rankings). If Cole can stay healthy this year, which I totally believe he will due to his incredible work ethic, he can reach 200 innings easily. The BABIP is more than likely to fall, and the Pirates lineup should give him plenty of run support. Once you get past the top 20 in starting pitching, you want to draft pitchers who have the potential to finish in the top 15. With the stuff he has and the stats to back it up, Gerrit Cole can be your third pitcher turned ace who carries you to a championship.
