As reported by minorleaguebaseball.com, Gerit Cole, the 28th pick of the June draft for the New York Yankees, will not sign, instead will opt to go to UCLA to pursue an education. Brian Cashman said that it was a life decision and was not based on money. Cole, last year put up a 8-2/0.49 record with 121 strikeouts in 71 innings. So let me get this straight, Cole, who is a lifelong Yankees fan, who in 2001 sought autographs of players in the team’s hotel lobby, decided he wanted to go to ollege instead of playing for his favorite team? Of course his agent is Boras (I’m sorry, his representative since if he was his agent he would have to sign), and Boras knows the Yankees gave Brackman 3+ million last year at the deadline, he probably wanted something similar.
Instead Cole is headed for an “education”, which real meaning is he wants more money and he feels he can pitch his way to the top half of the first round in two more years. Don’t kid yourself, he’s not going to get his 4 year degree folks. He’ll play until his junior season, then bail. Personally, you are the 28th pick in the draft, meaning there are 27 slots you could move up or 1473 slots you can move down. Odds are he is going to slide. Why give up guaranteed money? You can go to college while you play during your career. I just don’t understand why during the interview, he said, “Yeah, I’d like to play for the Yanks, I’ll sign instead of college.” Nope, instead he saw the money he wanted wasn’t going to be there and decided UCLA is a much better place to prove himself over the next two years. I personally hope it backfires for him and Boras.
