Cole starting to pitch like top prospect: After a few rough starts to begin his pro career at Class A Bradenton, Pirates starting pitcher prospect Gerrit Cole is beginning to show everyone why he was taken first overall in the 2012 draft. Cole has allowed a total of four runs in his last four starts after being tagged for 13 runs (nine earned) in his first four starts (17 innings). Cole is 1-0 with a 2.12 ERA and .190 opponents' batting average in three May starts after going 1-1 with a 3.52 ERA and .202 opponents' batting average in five April starts. For the season, Cole is 2-1 with a 2.92 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 43 strikeouts and 11 walks in eight starts (40 innings). (Updated 05/22/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/25/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Even though Cole was drafted out of college, the Pirates seem in no hurry to rush him to the majors. But the ceiling is very high for the former UCLA standout. Cole is a hard thrower. He just needs to learn how to become more of a pitcher. He has top-of-the-rotation potential, but he likely won't be a Fantasy impact player until 2013 at the earliest. Cole is just a long-term Fantasy keeper. (Updated 05/22/2012).
03/27/2012 22:31 Spring primer: Pittsburgh Pirates
Checking out the 2012 Pirates, in terms of lineup, rotation, bullpen, fantasy outlook and more.
In a draft class lacking the hoopla of a Stephen Strasburg or Bryce Harper, Cole was the first player to go off the board in 2011. He may not be the most hyped pitching prospect in draft history, but he's still a good one. Though he signed too late to appear in a minor-league game, he got a chance to show off his stuff in the Arizona Fall League, lighting up the radar gun with a fastball that reached as high as 102 mph. His size should make him a workhorse at the top of the rotation, and his stuff should make him a perennial candidate for 200-plus strikeouts. Needless to say, he profiles as a staff ace, and depending on how quickly he advances in his first minor-league season, he could get a look in the majors late in 2012. Cole isn't exactly a must-have in seasonal formats, but you wouldn't want to let him go unowned in long-term keeper leagues. (Updated 1/12/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start