Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Gerrit Cole

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Gerrit Cole made an impact.

Gerrit Cole is a professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the New York Yankees in MLB. He previously played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros. Before turning pro, Cole played high school baseball at Orange Lutheran and was drafted by the Yankees in 2008, but chose to attend UCLA and play college baseball for the Bruins instead.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2008: Drafted by the Yankees

In 2008, Gerrit Cole was selected by the Yankees in the first round of the MLB Draft out of Orange Lutheran High School, but he opted not to sign with them. Also, USA Today named Cole to their All-USA high school baseball team. Baseball America rated him the 17th-best prospect available in the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. Additionally, he was named the starting pitcher of the 2008 Orange County North-South All-Star Game. Later, The New York Yankees selected Cole in the first round, with the 28th overall selection, of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft, becoming the first player ever drafted out of Orange Lutheran High School.

August 15, 2011: Signed Minor League Contract

On August 15, 2011, Gerrit Cole signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates with an $8 million signing bonus.

November 2011: AFL Rising Stars Game

In November 2011, Gerrit Cole was selected to start the AFL Rising Stars game.

2011: First Overall MLB Draft Selection

After his college baseball career, in 2011, the Pirates made Gerrit Cole the first overall selection in the MLB draft.

June 15, 2012: Promoted to Altoona Curve

On June 15, 2012, Gerrit Cole was promoted to the Altoona Curve of the Class AA Eastern League.

August 29, 2012: Promoted to Indianapolis Indians

On August 29, 2012, Gerrit Cole was promoted to the Indianapolis Indians of the Class AAA International League.

June 11, 2013: MLB Debut

On June 11, 2013, Gerrit Cole made his MLB debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates, striking out Gregor Blanco on three pitches. He also recorded his first career hit, a 2-run single. Cole pitched 6+1⁄3 innings and got the win as the Pirates won over the San Francisco Giants, 8–2. Cole became the fourth pitcher since 1920 to drive in 2+ runs and earn the win in his Major League debut.

September 7, 2014: First Career Home Run

On September 7, 2014, Gerrit Cole hit his first career home run at Wrigley Field off of Chicago Cubs pitcher Blake Parker.

2017: Offseason Trade to Astros

During the 2017–18 offseason, the Pirates traded Gerrit Cole to the Houston Astros.

January 13, 2018: Traded to Houston Astros

On January 13, 2018, the Pirates traded Gerrit Cole to the Houston Astros.

December 16, 2019: Signed with Yankees

On December 16, 2019, Gerrit Cole signed a franchise record nine-year, $324 million contract with the New York Yankees, the largest contract total in major league history for a pitcher.

December 18, 2019: Yankees Sign Cole to Record Contract

On December 18, 2019, the Yankees signed Gerrit Cole to a franchise-record nine-year, $324 million contract, the largest contract for a pitcher at the time. The deal included a $36 million average annual value, surpassing Mike Trout's previous record. The contract also allows Cole to opt out after five years, with an option for the Yankees to extend it.

2019: 2019 Season Performance and Cy Young Award

In 2019, Cole finished the season with a 20–5 record and a 0.895 WHIP, leading the American League with a 2.50 ERA. He also led the major leagues in strikeouts (326), strikeout percentage (39.9%), and strikeouts per nine innings (13.82), averaging more than 1.5 strikeouts per inning, making him the first full-time starting pitcher in MLB history to do so. He finished second in voting for the 2019 Cy Young Award.

July 23, 2020: Yankees Debut

On July 23, 2020, Gerrit Cole made his Yankees debut as the Opening Day starting pitcher, throwing 5 innings against the Washington Nationals and allowing only one hit, a home run by Adam Eaton.

August 4, 2020: Major League Record

As of August 4, 2020, Gerrit Cole's 242 strikeouts marked a Major League record since his last loss.

August 26, 2020: Winning Streak Ends

On August 26, 2020, Gerrit Cole's regular-season winning streak, the third-longest in MLB history, ended with a loss against the Atlanta Braves.

September 11, 2020: Complete Game Shutout

On September 11, 2020, Gerrit Cole ended his 3-game losing streak by throwing a 2-hitter complete game shutout against the Baltimore Orioles in a 7-inning doubleheader game.

September 29, 2020: Yankees Playoff Debut

On September 29, 2020, Gerrit Cole made his Yankees playoff debut in Game 1 of the wild card series against the Cleveland Indians. He struck out 13 batters without a walk, tying Tom Seaver's record and becoming the first Major Leaguer to win three postseason games with 12 or more strikeouts.

December 4, 2020: Elected to MLBPA Executive Subcommittee

On December 4, 2020, Gerrit Cole was elected to the MLBPA's Executive Subcommittee.

May 12, 2021: 1,500th Career Strikeout

On May 12, 2021, Gerrit Cole reached his 1,500th career strikeout, becoming the second-fastest pitcher in history to reach the milestone, only behind Randy Johnson.

2021: 2021 Season Performance and Cy Young Award Nomination

In 2021, Cole finished the season with a 3.23 ERA and 243 strikeouts in 181+1⁄3 innings over 30 starts. He led the American League with 16 wins and a 5.93 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He finished second in American League Cy Young Award voting behind Robbie Ray.

2021: AL Wild Card Game Performance

In the 2021 American League Wild Card Game at Fenway Park, Gerrit Cole pitched two innings and gave up three earned runs and two home runs in a loss to the Boston Red Sox.

October 4, 2022: Sets Yankees Strikeout Record

On October 4, 2022, Gerrit Cole recorded his 249th strikeout of the season against the Texas Rangers, surpassing Ron Guidry for the Yankees franchise record.

2022: Reintroduces Cutter Pitch

As of 2022, Gerrit Cole reintroduced his cutter pitch, which is a pitch he had not thrown since college.

July 10, 2023: All-Star Game Starter

On July 10, 2023, Gerrit Cole was named the starting pitcher for the 2023 MLB All-Star Game, marking the first time a Yankees starting pitcher had started the All-Star game since Roger Clemens in 2001.