But yeah, ALL pitchers have inherent risks. Bauer is throwing a lot of pitches and is in love with the strikeout, no argument at all.
He's also the filthiest pitcher going right now. I agree with Taro, Cole's ERA in the new dead-bat college era is not stellar. His walks are down because he's not afraid of anyone taking him yard and he's pumping the pitches into the zone...but they're HITTABLE pitches.
Nobody's hitting anything Bauer is throwing. I would probably take Bauer or Hultzen before Cole - I really do get a Hochevar/Scherzer vibe from Cole, and that's a lot of risk, and a lot of delayed gratification even if successful, for our #2 pick.
Maybe Cole stays healthy, Bauer throws his elbow to the backstop, and even if Bauer had been the "better" pitcher he's not the one with the most impact. Mark Prior was the "best" pitcher in the 2001 draft but not the one with the longest career or most impact.
I want the bat. I want the Pirates to do what the Pirates usually do - screw up the draft. Pedro Alvarez doesn't really have the pop to play first base, and I hope they're figuring this out and will maximize that pick by leaving him at 3B, skipping the "injury risk" that is Rendon, and going with an arm. Take Hultzen, he's a polished pro.
But if they don't...I'd rather not take Cole. I don't hate him, and I wouldn't scream in agony or anything. I just don't trust him.
I didn't trust Taijuan Walker either, and that's working out fine right now. Give me a redraft of the 2010 draft and Walker goes higher. The Mariners seem to know what they're doing with the draft process, so unlike with Bavasi I'll believe they know something about Cole that I don't, if we take him.
But I don't expect to take him.
~G
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