Gerrit Cole: 7 Reasons to Believe the Hype on This Pittsburgh Pirates Prospect

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Gerrit Cole with the No. 1 overall pick in last June's MLB draft.

Cole was considered the top collegiate arm available, and the Pirates paid an $8 million signing bonus to land his services.

Along with 2010 first-round pick Jameson Taillon, Cole will be asked to help turn the Pirate franchise around. Pirate pitching has been anemic in recent memory, but Cole is talented enough to put all of that in the past.

The Pirates have high hopes for Cole. The desperate Pirate fanbase has even larger hopes for the right-hander out of UCLA.

Here are seven reasons to believe the hype about Cole:

No. 1 Overall Pick

Cole's draft status is a simple reason to believe the hype.

Yes, I realize many No. 1 overall picks never pan out, or bust completely. However, that does not mean their hype was not warranted, at least to begin with.

Cole was stellar over his three-year career at UCLA and was considered the top candidate to go No. 1 overall along with Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon and Virginia southpaw Danny Hultzen.

The Pirates made the right choice based on potential and reputation. Cole passes the eye test, and that is all you can ask at this point.

He has the build, stuff and experience needed to be a future front-line starter in Pittsburgh.

Fastball

Gerrit Cole's fastball is the main reason for his success. Just ask this scout.

Cole hit 102 mph in an Arizona Fall League game, and sits regularly in the upper-90s.

He does tend to overthrow and trust his fastball too much sometimes, but Cole will learn to trust his offspeed pitches more as he matures in the minor leagues.

Cole's fastball is major-league ready. His slider and changeup need some polish, but are still usable pitches at this point.

Once Cole learns to be a pitcher, more than a thrower, he will be more electric than he already is.

College Numbers

Gerrit Cole's UCLA career was highlighted by his 2010 season.

Cole went 11-4 with a 3.37 ERA, He struck out 153 batters in 123 innings pitched, but he also walked 52 batters. Opponents hit just .205 against Cole that season.

2009 and 2011 were also solid seasons, but not nearly up to par with his Cole's stellar sophomore season. However, he never had an ERA above 3.50 and always struck out more batters than innings pitched.

Cole's junior season was a well-documented disappointment in terms of win-loss record, but his other numbers are still very good. Not as good as his 2010 numbers, but good nonetheless.

He enjoyed success at the college level and understands what it takes to get hitters out. At the very least, he understands how to strike batters out.

Seasoned Arm

Gerrit Cole threw a total of 322.1 innings while at UCLA. He was also a member of the Collegiate National Team in 2009 and 2010.

In other words, Cole has a multitude of experience despite being just 21 years old.

This experience will allow Cole to work in his first minor league season. The Pirate organization kept top pitching prospect Jameson Taillon under wraps, for the most part, in 2011 because of his inexperience and untested arm.

Cole is not Taillon in that sense. He is used to throwing a ton of innings, and the Pirates do not have to be as careful.

This will allow Cole to climb the minor-league ladder faster than Taillon and should lessen any chances at blowing out his arm due to work overload.

Pitcher's Body

Gerrit Cole is listed as 6'4'' and 220 pounds.

Cole's tall stature and solid build allows him to pitch with power from his upper and lower halves.

Power pitchers normally fall on the bigger side. Tim Lincecum jumps to mind as an obvious exception, but Justin Verlander, Josh Beckett and Stephen Strasburg are all big men on the mound.

Cole has the height to come off the mound on a downward angle. This gives his fastball more velocity, especially because of the drive he gets from his lower half.

He is a strong pitcher and uses his legs well to generate power.

Cole's build also allows him to work deeper into games with greater endurance. This is only a good thing assuming he stays healthy.

He Has Help

Gerrit Cole has help alongside him in the Pirate minor leagues right now.

Jameson Taillon, Luis Heredia and possibly Stetson Allie are all potential franchise-changing arms. Starling Marte, Josh Bell and Alex Dickerson should change the culture of the Pirate offense as well.

Depth in the Pirates' minor leagues helps Cole by loosening expectations. He is not expected to carry this franchise by himself.

Pressure can break down the most talented pitchers. Taillon's presence almost splits expectations between the two.

The future does not rest on Cole, but on Cole and Taillon. This will allow Cole to focus more on himself and his individual progress.

No Choice

Frankly, Pirate fans have no choice but to believe Cole's hype.

The Pirate front office has botched numerous draft picks recently. Bryan Bullington, Bobby Bradley, John Van Benschoten and Danny Moskos are all obvious busts. All were also first-round picks.

Pittsburgh is notorious for making questionable personnel choices and for drafting players based on signability rather than talent.

The Pirates shelled out the money for Cole. The Pirates need Cole to come through.

Pirate fans do not have a choice on this one. They understand that their franchise's window is very small. If they want to turn this team around, they may only get one shot.

That shot lies with the current crop of minor league players, and Cole is one of the headliners.