It seems only fitting that on the day No. 5 prospect Luis Heredia would make his debut for the State College Spikes and a day after No. 2 prospect Gerrit Cole made his debut for the Altoona Curve that MLB would announce the rosters for the Futures All-Star game. Representing the Pirates in this year’s contest will be Cole and No. 1 prospect Jameson Taillon. Both players will represent team U.S. in the contest.
Before his start last night in Altoona where he let up two runs in five innings as he struck out six, Cole started 13 games for the Bradenton Marauders where he posted a 2.55 ERA with a 5-1 record. Cole, who touched 99 on the gun last night, relied on his off-speed pitches a lot last night.
“You gotta keep hitters off balance, no matter how hard you throw,” Cole said. “It’s not about velocity anymore, it’s about location and changing speeds.”
Pitching coach Jeff Johnson said teaching Cole to throw his off-speed pitches is his main priority.
“The biggest thing I want guys to be able to do at this level is be able to throw a changeup and have confidence in throwing it,” Johnson said. “I know he has great offspeed, his breaking stuff is going to be good . The thing I’m impressed with is his use of the changeup.”
As for Taillon, many people anticipated the 2010 No. 1 pick of the Pirates to go to Altoona with Cole, but Pirates’ brass decided to leave him Bradenton a little longer to develop more. Taillon, who was drafted right out of high school, has a 4-6 record with a 4.10 ERA. Despite struggling in his past few starts, Taillon was solid in his most recent outing allowing just one hit and striking out five over seven innings; his longest in his career.
Joining the two prospects will be Triple-A pitching coach Tom Filer. Filer has the Indianapolis Indians in first place and has the staff at an International League leading 2.98 ERA. Pitchers such as Rudy Owens, Jeff Locke, Justin Wilson and Bryan Morris have helped the Indians and Filer find success this year.
Taillon and Cole will join current Bucs Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker and Pedro Alvarez who are former participants in the Futures game. Current Indianapolis Indian players Starling Marte and Gorkys Hernandez have both also participated.
Photo credits: RotoSummit
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