Garrett Cole it is!

The Pirates picked Garrett Cole as the first overall pick in the 2011 draft. Cole is a college pitcher for UCLA who was actually a 28th pick of the first round for the Yankees coming out of high school. He is having a down year at UCLA, but his ERA is still just over 3. Low walk total shows he has good command. High strikeouts. In fact his fast ball is 91-98 consistently at 95-96. He has a plus change up, and a plus slider that both go about 88-90. Maybe some room to slow down that change a bit more. The guy is a potential ace, and should start at least in High A next year. Many have said that it he could show up in the majors after a year of minor league ball.

The other guy many wanted Anthony Rendon shocked the world by falling all the way to the Nationals at 6. Cost that kid a lot of money. Oddly enough the Mariners went with a pitcher, and Danny Hultzen in fact. Hultzen is good and close to the majors as well, but is not a real ace. A great 3 and a strong 2, but not an ace.

I would have been happy with Rendon or Cole. The others worried me a bit, but overall all top 6 guys are going to be good.

Now the fun begins. Seeing who the Pirates can steal in the next couple of rounds. has a list of Top 50 rated guys left. This pick is a protected pick meaning that they get the 62nd overall pick next year if they fail to sign this year's 62nd overall pick. So expect the Pirates to go for Josh Bell or Daniel Norris. Bell a power hitting switching hitting outfielder who is asking for 6.25 Mil. Norris is the third best left handed pitcher in the draft, and is asking for around 3 Mil.

I favor picking Norris, as I think he would be an easier sign. 6.25 million is insane. Taillon got that. Even if that is a starting point. That is going to end up being first round money. I would rather try spreading it around to a few more high schoolers later in the draft to get quantity over quality. Plus, Norris will still be a great pick.