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What you should know about newest Astros pitcher Gerrit Cole
Published 11:17 am, Wednesday, January 10, 2018
PHOTOS: What you should know about the newest Astro Gerrit Cole
The Astros made a strong starting pitching rotation into probably the best in baseball by trading for Gerrit Cole on Saturday afternoon.
Browse through the photos above to learn more about Gerrit Cole.
lessPHOTOS: What you should know about the newest Astro Gerrit Cole
The Astros made a strong starting pitching rotation into probably the best in baseball by trading for Gerrit Cole on Saturday afternoon.
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... moreContract
Cole avoided arbitration by agreeing with the Pirates to a one-year, $6.75 million contract Friday. Cole isn't eligible to become a free agent until after the 2019 season.
Contract
Cole avoided arbitration by agreeing with the Pirates to a one-year, $6.75 million contract Friday. Cole isn't eligible to become a free agent until after the 2019 season.
Postseason experience
Cole made three appearances in the postseason with the Pirates. As a rookie, he started Games 2 and 5 of the National League Division Series against the Cardinals. He gave up three runs in 11 innings in those two starts. In 2016, he started the Wild Card game against the Cubs and gave up four runs in five innings.
lessPostseason experience
Cole made three appearances in the postseason with the Pirates. As a rookie, he started Games 2 and 5 of the National League Division Series against the Cardinals. He gave up three runs in
... moreClose friend on team
Cole is good friends with Astros starter Charlie Morton (pictured) from their days as teammates in Pittsburgh. Cole, who lives in Orange County, Calif., even attended a couple of the Astros' World Series games in Los Angeles.
lessClose friend on team
Cole is good friends with Astros starter Charlie Morton (pictured) from their days as teammates in Pittsburgh. Cole, who lives in Orange County, Calif., even attended a couple of the Astros'
... moreHockey lover
Cole has been spotted at several Pittsburgh Penguins games, and he doesn’t sit quietly and watch the game. He gets into it, even heckling opponents.
Hockey lover
Cole has been spotted at several Pittsburgh Penguins games, and he doesn’t sit quietly and watch the game. He gets into it, even heckling opponents.
Prone to the long ball
Cole gave up a career-high 31 home runs last season. Some say he gave up the long ball, because he relied too heavily on his fastball. Eighteen of his 31 home runs allowed came on his fastball. That is something the Astros likely will change.
Prone to the long ball
Cole gave up a career-high 31 home runs last season. Some say he gave up the long ball, because he relied too heavily on his fastball. Eighteen of his 31 home runs allowed came on his
His wife
Cole is married to Amy Crawford, the sister of Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford. The couple met at UCLA.
His wife
Cole is married to Amy Crawford, the sister of Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford. The couple met at UCLA.
Bonus baby
The Pirates gave Cole an $8 million signing bonus when they signed him out of UCLA, which still stands as the biggest draft signing bonus.
Bonus baby
The Pirates gave Cole an $8 million signing bonus when they signed him out of UCLA, which still stands as the biggest draft signing bonus.
Nickname
In 2014, Tom Singer, the Pirates beat reporter for MLB.com before passing away in 2016, gave Cole the nickname “Cole Train.” Cole gave the nickname his blessing and it’s stuck.
Nickname
In 2014, Tom Singer, the Pirates beat reporter for MLB.com before passing away in 2016, gave Cole the nickname “Cole Train.” Cole gave the nickname his blessing and it’s stuck.
Original draft pick of Yankees
The Yankees drafted Cole out of high school in the first round (28th overall pick) of the 2008 draft, but they couldn’t agree to terms and Cole ended up going to UCLA.
Original draft pick of Yankees
The Yankees drafted Cole out of high school in the first round (28th overall pick) of the 2008 draft, but they couldn’t agree to terms and Cole ended up going to UCLA.
Happy to be an Astro
Cole couldn't hide his excitement about trading his Pirates hat for an Astros hat. "Flat-out elated," Cole told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "This is an unbelievable opportunity."
Happy to be an Astro
Cole couldn't hide his excitement about trading his Pirates hat for an Astros hat. "Flat-out elated," Cole told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "This is an unbelievable opportunity."
No. 1 overall pick
Cole was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 draft by the Pirates. The Astros had the No. 1 overall pick the next three years and drafted Carlos Correa, Mark Appel and Brady Aiken.
No. 1 overall pick
Cole was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 draft by the Pirates. The Astros had the No. 1 overall pick the next three years and drafted Carlos Correa, Mark Appel and Brady Aiken.
Pitching repertoire
His fastball has been clocked as high as 100 mph, but it averages 96. He also throws a slider and a changeup.
Pitching repertoire
His fastball has been clocked as high as 100 mph, but it averages 96. He also throws a slider and a changeup.
Zipped through minors
Cole spent just one full season in the minor leagues before making his big league debut in 2013. In 2012, he started at High-A and ended the season at Class AAA. He made 12 starts in AAA to start the 2013 season before being promoted to the majors.
Zipped through minors
Cole spent just one full season in the minor leagues before making his big league debut in 2013. In 2012, he started at High-A and ended the season at Class AAA. He made 12 starts in AAA to
Most people thought he would be a Yankee
There were reports early in the week that the Yankees trading for Gerrit Cole was “inevitable.” Instead, he ends up on the defending World Series champions.
Most people thought he would be a Yankee
There were reports early in the week that the Yankees trading for Gerrit Cole was “inevitable.” Instead, he ends up on the defending World Series champions.
Lance McCullers loves it
As word began to leak about the trade early in the week, McCullers tweeted out the Vince Carter “it’s over” GIF, signaling to the rest of baseball what they're in for in 2018.
Lance McCullers loves it
As word began to leak about the trade early in the week, McCullers tweeted out the Vince Carter “it’s over” GIF, signaling to the rest of baseball what they're in for in 2018.
Fastball
He throws his fastball at an average of 96 mph, according to Brooks Baseball statistics. He threw it more than 60 percent of the time, which is something the Astros likely will try to tone down.
Fastball
He throws his fastball at an average of 96 mph, according to Brooks Baseball statistics. He threw it more than 60 percent of the time, which is something the Astros likely will try to tone down.
Best rotation in baseball
No matter where you plug Cole into the rotation, no other team can compete with the Astros’ starting rotation. They could trot out Justin Verlander, Dallas Keuchel, Gerrit Cole and Lance McCullers as their top four starters with Charlie Morton being a great No. 5 starter. They also have Brad Peacock and Collin McHugh as insurance if any of the other starters get injured.
lessBest rotation in baseball
No matter where you plug Cole into the rotation, no other team can compete with the Astros’ starting rotation. They could trot out Justin Verlander, Dallas Keuchel, Gerrit Cole and
... moreThe Astros aren't resting on their World Series laurels.
The World Series champions bolstered their shot at a repeat by trading for the Pirates' Gerrit Cole on Saturday afternoon. The Astros got Cole from the Pirates for reliever Joe Musgrove, third baseman Colin Moran, reliever Michael Feliz and minor league outfielder Jason Martin. Only Musgrove was assured of a spot on the 2018 big league roster.
Cole, who finished fourth in the National League Cy Young Award voting in 2015, will slide into the middle of an Astros rotation that will be headlined by Cy Young Award winners Justin Verlander and Dallas Keuchel.
Browse through the photos above to learn more about the newest Astros starter Gerrit Cole.
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