Twitter Reacts to Pirates Prospect Gerrit Cole's Spectacular MLB Debut

Gerrit Cole showed the MLB why the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him No. 1 overall in the 2011 MLB Draft, dominating the San Francisco Giants for 6.1 innings on Tuesday night.

Apart from throwing 99 mph multiple times, striking out his first batter, hitting a two-run single and recording 13 consecutive outs from the second inning through the sixth, Cole energize the Pirates fanbase, and we saw it all come out on Twitter.

Cole's highly anticipated debut couldn't have come against a better opponent. Not only was he at home, but he was facing the defending World Series champs and their former Cy Young winner, Tim Lincecum.

"

New on ESPN.com: Gerrit Cole has a date with the Freak. #pirates #sfgiants espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id…

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) June 11, 2013"

You'd expect the kid to be nervous with so much pressure on him, but he came right at Gregor Blanco to start the game, striking him out on three pitches.

"

This Gerrit Cole fella can bring some major league cheese. 96, 96, 99 thank you very much strike out.

— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) June 11, 2013"

Funny enough, it wasn't Cole's arm that really got fans excited right away. Obviously the kid's stuff is unreal, but he really got the crowd going when he hit this two-run single to drive in the first two runs of the game.

"

Barmes has 3 more RBI's than Gerrit Cole (2) for the season. He should be ashamed of himself.

— 10th Player! (@JerseyBuccoFan) June 12, 2013"

"

Gerrit Cole should be batting ahead of Clint Barmes.

— #7 (@catfur7) June 12, 2013"

It's rare to see a player strike out his first batter and hit a two-run single in his first at bat, but those became two of many headlines throughout the night as Cole began to settle in.

As he worked his way back to the top of the Giants' order Blanco was up again.

"

I'm sure it's going to be different this time now that Gregor Blanco has seen three Gerrit Cole pitches (assuming he actually saw them).

— Andrew Baggarly (@CSNBaggs) June 11, 2013"

I doubt he saw any of the pitches. I mean, c'mon. Would you have seen this 99 mph fastball for the K?

At any rate he ended up getting out again.

Cole really got into a groove in the middle innings, and everyone took notice.

"

Gerrit Cole has held the Giants scoreless through the top of the 4th... Still 2-0, Pirates.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 12, 2013"

"

Gerrit Cole with 39 strikes and 9 balls through 4 innings. Hard to beat that for fastball command. #pirates

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) June 12, 2013"

"

Gerrit Cole is CRUISING. Nine pitches, five pitches, ten pitches. Three straight perfect innings after that roughish start.

— Pat Lackey (@whygavs) June 12, 2013"

"

You don't see Buster Posey look bad in an at-bat very often, but he just struck out on an off speed pitch in the dirt from Cole.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 12, 2013"

"

13-straight #SFgiants have been retired by Pirates starter Gerrit Cole.

— San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) June 12, 2013"

Cole was impressive and notched his first big league win on the start.

"

Standing ovation for Gerrit Cole, who leaves in the 7th with a 5-1 lead. Gotta be impressed he didn't issue a single walk in debut start.

— Andrew Baggarly (@CSNBaggs) June 12, 2013"

"

Gerrit Cole wins #Pirates MLB debut, against the defending World Series champs no less.Let's Go Bucs!

— Joe Stunkard (@fatherof8js) June 12, 2013"

However, Twitter was far from done with him, as he had his first press conference, and this kid is a clown.

"

Gerrit Cole meets with the media after tonight's game. twitter.com/Pirates/status…

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) June 12, 2013"

"

Watching Gerrit Cole talk to the media... dude's actually hilarious.

— Emmy (@emmyohhh) June 12, 2013"

"

"I wasn't nervous before the game, and I was kinda nervous about not being nervous." -Gerrit cole

— alex orseno (@orsenoctopus) June 12, 2013"

"

Gerrit Cole: "Bases loaded in the second, I was like, 'I better make a pitch -- or we're screwed.'"

— Chris Adamski (@BuzzsawPGH) June 12, 2013"

"

I love the way Gerrit Cole talks he's just like "yea if I gave up a hit we were screwed" he just seems real on top of himself haha

— aj bove (@aj_bove) June 12, 2013"

The Pirates have found themselves and ace for the future, and the fans sure took notice of him on Tuesday night, practically naming him mayor of Pittsburgh.

"

Gerrit Cole is going to be a stud.. Loved to watch him pitch in person for the first time!

— Luke Kochka (@LukeKochka) June 12, 2013"

"

Raise it baby!Gerrit Cole is the real deal. 6 2/3, 0BB, 2R. #bucsbooth #BattlinBuccos

— Tom Farmar (@tomfarmar) June 12, 2013"

"

Gerrit cole is the real deal

— Waymond (@WarrenGross) June 12, 2013"

"

Amazing game. Wtg bucs!! Hail to Gerrit Cole!!

— Lisa Ficca (@lficca) June 12, 2013"

Cole gave the fans what they wanted, and now we'll have to wait five days before we see if he can do it again.

Follow @JoshSchoch