After the latest rankings of MLB starting pitchers put Gerrit Cole at No. 10, Yankees fans took to social media to slam the list claiming it was a disrespect to the New York ace.
MLB has recently unveiled the fifth edition of 2023 Starting Pitcher Power Rankings, which involved an MLB.com panel voting on factors such as track record, performance throughout the season, and recent achievements. However, the decision to rank the Yankees’ ace Gerrit Cole at the 10th spot has sparked strong reactions among Yankees fans.
Despite delivering another outstanding season, Gerrit Cole finds himself in the 10th position of the rankings, even though he leads the league in multiple categories. With 15 starts, 91.2 innings pitched, and a complete-game shutout under his belt, Cole boasts an impressive record of 7-1, accompanied by a 2.75 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. However, despite these remarkable numbers, he has been placed at the lower end of the rankings.
Yankees fans strongly believe that the placement of Gerrit Cole in such a low position is a clear and evident disrespect towards both the starter himself and the entire Yankee Nation.
Rays fans were overjoyed to witness Shane McClanahan, who currently holds a league-leading 10-1 record and a remarkable 2.18 ERA, occupying the top spot on the list. Similarly, Cubs fans were delighted to see Marcus Stroman, with his impressive 7-4 record, NL-leading 2.42 ERA, and 1.04 WHIP, securing the fourth position. Rangers fans were beaming with satisfaction as Nathan Eovaldi claimed the second spot and Jon Gray secured the seventh spot on the list.
However, supporters of the New York Yankees are expressing their frustration and discontent with the rankings.
Gerrit Cole stands tall
During Wednesday’s game, Gerrit Cole engaged in a captivating pitching duel with Justin Verlander, a renowned pitcher and Cole’s former teammate on the Astros. Matching each other’s prowess, they both showcased impressive performances. Gerrit Cole started strong by retiring the first 12 Mets batters he faced, utilizing a combination of four-seamers, sliders, and minimal variation in his pitching repertoire.
Following an exceptional performance in April and a comparatively underwhelming May, Gerrit Cole has made a strong comeback in June, consistently limiting opponents to fewer than three runs for the third consecutive start. Despite the Yankees experiencing defeat in two out of his 15 starts, Gerrit Cole has showcased his dominance in each outing. This has fueled the demand from Yankees fans for a fair placement for him in the MLB power rankings.
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