Report: Pirates To Take UCLA's Cole At No. 1 In MLB Draft
CBSsports.com
C. Trent Rosecrans
It looks as if the Pirates will take UCLA right-hander Gerrit Cole with the No. 1 pick in Monday's first round of the MLB Draft, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dejan Kovacevic reports.
Cole had been seen by many as the top prospect available, but it wasn't as clear-cut as it had been the last two seasons when the Nationals took Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg.
Cole is 6-8 with a 3.31 ERA for the Bruins this season, striking out 119 in 114 1/3 innings, walking 24. Despite his good, but not great numbers, he throws 100 mph and stands 6-foot-4, 220 pounds and has no injury history.
The Yankees took Cole with their first-round pick in 2008, 28th overall. Instead, he chose to go to UCLA.
Friday, I took a look at nine other names you should know for Monday's first round of the draft.
Most expect the Mariners, with the No. 2 pick, to take a position player. That will likely be Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon -- or they could surprise and take Kansas high school outfielder Bubba Starling.
The Diamondbacks pick third and seventh, in what may be their most important draft in years.
