Baseball America scouting report on Cole:
Cole is the best righthander out of Southern California since Phil Hughes starred at Santa Ana’s Foothills High in 2004. Cole’s four-seam fastball ranges from 93-96 mph, occasionally peaking at 97-98. He adds a hard, late-breaking curve which shows bite, tilt and depth. Cole used his changeup sparingly early in the season, though he used it more later. Adding to Cole’s considerable appeal to scouts is his tall, lanky and projectable frame, which is nearly ideal for a prep righthander. Scouts are split over whether Cole profiles as a starter or closer. He maintains velocity and pitch movement deep into games, but his inconsistent command and tendency to run up high pitch counts may move him to the bullpen. Some scouts have compared him to Mariners closer J.J. Putz. Cole does bring mechanical concerns. He lands on a stiff front leg, and he recoils his arm during his follow-through. Both hurt control and raise injury concerns. Complicating the situation, Cole’s adviser is the Scott Boras Corp., which may eliminate many clubs from consideration. Cole also hasn’t endeared himself to scouts or teammates with what one scout described as his immature mound demeanor.
Typical Yankee pick. When you have the resources to pay players out of slot (and subsequently paying prep arms not to go to college) you have a big advantage. Hopefully Cole matures with time. The Yankees are loaded with young power arms.
The Yankees second pick was a "sandwich pick" that was aquired by letting Luis Vizcaino go to Colorado as a free agent. Stanford LHP Jeremy Bleich was selected with the 44th pick.
I don't know a ton about Bleich but from what I've read this pick is regarded as a reach. I know in a draft you don't want to reach for need however with the large amount of arms and the total lack of position players we in the minors I don't know how taking another pitcher (and one with limited upside) makes sense.
Back with more draft thoughts a little later.
