RADIO
Gerrit Cole took a huge step forward in 2015, arriving as an elite starting pitcher and NL Cy Young candidate. Posting a 19-8 record to go along with a 2.60 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 202 strikeouts, Cole showed why he was the number one overall draft pick in 2011. Perhaps the largest reason for the ace’s emergence was his improved command. Cole’s BB/9 improved from 2.61 in 2014 to 1.90 in 2015. If Cole can maintain that type of command, he will once again be one of the National League’s top pitchers.
Cole’s fastball, which averaged 95.5mph, was fastest among qualified NL starting pitchers in 2015 and helped the Pirate ace maintain an excellent .48HR/9 rate last year. Unfortunately, a .48HR/9 is unsustainable and likely to increase in 2016. Despite this red flag, the Cy Young version of Cole is probably here to stay. Only 25 and still improving, Cole will be a top-15 starting pitcher to start 2016 and should surpass 200Ks if he can stay healthy.
