Gerrit Cole, P, UCLA

With the 2011 MLB draft only hours away, It's time to look at the presumptive first overall pick: Gerrit Cole.

Cole is a flamethrowing righthander out of UCLA, and will be selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates first overall. Judging from his history, it's a wise choice.

Before he pitched in college, Cole was an impressive high school prospect from Orange County Lutheran High School in California. After posting a stat line of 8 wins, 2 losses, a 0.46 ERA and 121 strikeouts, he was taken by the New York Yankees with the 28th pick in the 2008 draft. Cole was not interested in signing, instead opting to pitch for the Bruins.

Cole started his collegiate career with a less than stellar record of 4-8, but posted a respectable 3.49 ERA and 104 strikeouts. Though the 2009 Bruins did not make the NCAA baseball tournament, bigger things were to come.

In 2010, Cole went 11-4 with a 3.37 ERA and 153 strikeouts, his best collegiate stats so far. Cole was instrumental in bringing the Bruins to the College World Series Final against South Carolina, unfortunately, they lost to the Gamecocks.

Cole's junior season was not as good as his sophomore season; he posted a record of 6-8 with a 3.31 ERA and 119 strikeouts. Though the Bruins made their 2nd straight tournament, they finished 2nd in the Los Angeles regional of the tournament, losing to California-Irvine.

Regardless of his college stats, Cole will be taken first overall by the Pirates tonight, allowing him to join a powerful set of prospect arms, like Jameson Taillon, the Pirates first selection last year, and Stetson Allie, another first rounder.

Cole's scouting report reveals that there is more than meets the eye with this guy. His fastball has topped triple digits, but is more consistent in the high 90's. Cole is a dominant pitcher who can strike people out, and his durability leaves nothing to question. Despite his lack of secondary pitches, he could be another Aroldis Chapman, a pitcher who relies on his high octane fastball to get batters out. In short, Cole will be an excellent choice for the Pirates.

Here is some video of Cole in an invitational tournament against Southern.

L.O.T's projection: Will reach majors by late 2012-early 2013. Could be an ace. Possible all star as well. Career ERA in the low 3.00's Could get as many as 170 victories, depending on how good the Pirates are in that span.

I will be doing profiles on each of the first rounders daily, as well as the supplemental picks, then work on minor leaguers afterwards.