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Cole's low BB rate isn't a representation of command, it just a representation of here-it-is-hit-it type control. So far the college hitter have managed to hit him. He has the worst ERA on the UCLA rotation and has given up the most XBHs. A 3.28 ERA is below average in the new bat-age. Strikeouts haven't changed much, but hits and XBHs are down.
Verlander ran a 13 K/9 in his walk year. Cole is barely above 9 K/9. Verlander had great mechanics, Cole has a high-risk motion. Verlander had more speed seperation in his offspeed pitches and he had strikeout stuff. The only similarities are that they are both RH and throw really hard.
I'd cap his upside at Max Scherzer and thats if he can figure out more speed separation between his offspeed pitches. Even if I knew I had a 100% chance at Max Scherzer, I would not take that at #2. And Cole is more like 30% shot at Max Scherzer.
Its nothing personal Spec.. I'm just not that high on Cole as a prospect. The guy is putting up the worst numbers in UCLA's rotation, is high-risk to get injured, has command issues, and serious problems with his offspeed. If velocity were all there were to pitching, we could trade David Aardsma straight-up for Cliff Lee.
I prefer Bauer by a sizable margin. He is the only pitcher I'd consider at #2. Bundy has talent worthy of being top 3 (more than Cole IMO), but dreadful mechanics make him too high-risk.