Pirates On The Clock

The Pittsburgh Pirates have the first pick in the 2011 draft, and they have some options.

Now nobody asked for my opinion, but I consider myself a pretty decent part of the Pirates' online community, so watch out, here come my two cents.

It's gotta be Gerrit Cole. Here's why...

1. You don't find a Gerrit Cole anywhere else. The guy can throw 100 miles per hour and has a big league changeup already. That alone makes him worthy of the top overall pick. You can work out the issues he has with his mechanics and make-up in the minor leagues, he has all the unteachable stuff already. You aren't going to get a guy with this kind of stuff anywhere but the high first round of a draft, and the Pirates would be foolish to pass on him.

2. You can get hitting elsewhere. It's much easier to get a good bat in free agency or in a trade. You aren't going to be able to get your hands on an ace pitcher like that. You build with pitching in the draft, lock up the top of the rotation, and spend money on hitters when the time is right.

3. The hole in the system. You aren't supposed to draft based on need, but let's face it, the Pirates are hurting for ace-potential pitchers in the minor leagues. Jameson Taillon is the only real good shot we have at developing an ace, there are a few longshots like Stetson Allie, Luis Heredia, Brooks Pounders, etc., but all-in-all the Pirates are pretty much lacking in big time arms. That said, the Pirates don't have a lot of power bats that can hit for average either, but as I said earlier, it's easier to get bats by other means than real good pitching.

Those 3 reasons are good enough for me to get both feet on the Cole train. Reports are that the Pirates will be calling his name at 7:00 tonight to get the draft rolling, and I'll have a smile on my face when that becomes a reality.

Plus, let's face it, Gerrit McCole sounds much better than Anthony Mcrendon or Danny McHultzen.