Right-hander Gerrit Cole, the Pirates No. 1 pick (first overall) in the 2011 draft, made his professional debut in the Arizona Fall League on Friday against the Surprise Saguaros.
Cole pitched a perfect 1st inning (all groundouts) before allowing a leadoff single to start the 2nd frame. Cole was able to get out of the inning unscathed by striking out the next two batters and induced a ground to end the 2nd
The 21-year-old was unable to finish the 3rd inning. Cole allowed a leadoff single and a walk before Tim Beckham, the Tampa Bay Rays first round pick (first overall) in 2008, lined a two-run double to left field. Cole was replaced by reliever Casey Lambert, who with two outs allowed a RBI double to give the Saguaros a 3-2 lead.
Overall, Cole allowed three runs on three hits over 2.1 innings. He walked one and struck out two. Cole threw 52 pitches, 35 strikes.
It was reported by Keith Law of ESPN that Cole hit 100 mph twice and 99 once, which came in the third inning. His slider averaged 89-90 mph and his final pitch –the two run double– was 97 mph.
Since signing with Pittsburgh in August, Cole had been working out at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla., and also participated in the Fall Instructional League.
Photo credit: MILB
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