Gerrit Cole smiled at the premise, claiming it was neither intentional nor part of a larger plan.
But the numbers speak for themselves.
Cole, who is enjoying a flawless start to the season, is throwing four-seam fastballs on 56.3% of his pitches, according to Baseball Savant.
This represents a significant increase from last season when he threw pitches 51.9% of the time, representing the highest percentage he has ever thrown throughout his career.
“I threw it up to 70%, I threw it up to 47% [in specific outings]so it’s kind of unpredictable,” Cole told the Post before Monday’s series opener against the Guardians at Yankee Stadium. Give yourself a chance to get the result you’re looking for, and if the pitch is wrong, at least have some control over the contact.”
Whether or not it was the overarching mission of the year, the results continue to increase usage.
Cole, who is set to start the second game of the series on Tuesday, is the best pitcher in all of MLB so far, with a 5-0 record with a 1.11 ERA.
He’s been in charge of an otherwise struggling Yankees team, as the team has won all six games Cole has started this season.
Cole’s 2.3 WAR leads the entire MLB and, after two runner-up finishes, he was quickly on track to win his first Cy Young Award of his career.
Cole’s fastball has played a central role as the pitch’s -10 run value this season was the highest in MLB admissions play Monday, according to Baseball Savant, making it the most dominant pitch in baseball. .
Beyond the increased usage, Cole threw his fastball 1 mph slower this year compared to last year – 96.8, down from last year’s 97.8 mark. His pitch control helped.
“It’s definitely one of the best pitches in baseball,” catcher Jose Trevino, who has been at bat for every Cole starter this year, told The Post. “We’re going to use it. … He looks good. He throws the ball well. I think there’s always something he wants to do better and that’s what makes him good.”
Perhaps most importantly, Cole posted a 180 in the home run division.
After leading the MLB with 33 homers last year, he hasn’t surrendered a single this season.
What is the biggest difference? It’s not groundbreaking.
“We’re just moving forward,” Cole said. “The numbers dictate. First pitch strike, the usual cliches. Those cliches stick because they work. …Surely the results will dictate that.” [it’s the best he’s ever pitched]I never thought of that. I consider it a good month, nothing more, nothing less. ”
