The New York Yankees’ pitchers and catchers reported yesterday to Tampa in order to get ready for Spring Training and the upcoming season. It was also the first time Gerrit Cole threw as an official Yankee. It was exciting to see pictures and video of him throwing, but even more exciting to hear what members of the club had to say about his first bullpen.
Manager Aaron Boone liked what he saw out of his new star pitcher. “His attention to detail is special, it was a good first day for him,” said Boone.
“We just added one of the best pitchers in the game to our team,” said Gary Sanchez through an interpreter. “We had a really good rotation. That’s what I believe. And now we had the opportunity to add Gerrit Cole. It’s great. If you look up what he has done the last couple of years, he has been incredibly impressive. To add someone like that now to our team, it just gets better.” (New York Post)
Boone also has big aspirations for the team and what they can accomplish especially with Cole. “He’s arguably the game’s best pitcher, so we’re adding a bona fide ace to what we already feel like is a really good rotation,” said Boone. (NYP)
Cole recorded a 20-5 record last season and was credited to a 2.50 ERA. He led the league in strikeouts, fanning 326 batters in 212.4 innings pitched. Because of his dominance all season, he was elected to the All-Star game and finished second in the Cy Young Award voting.