While the New York Yankees have underperformed thus far, there are still several bright spots with a team that won 99 games a season ago and cruised to the ALCS.
One such bright spot has been the complete and utter dominance by ace Gerrit Cole.
Cole joined the Yankees in 2019 after an elite stretch with the Houston Astros.
Since joining the team, he has been a viable member of the starting rotation, but he hadn’t recaptured his 2019 form.
This year is different, however.
Cole is off to fast start and has posted a 1.35 ERA through his first seven starts.
On Twitter, YES, the TV home of the Yankees, tweeted Cole’s stats in comparison to the numbers Nestor Cortes put up through his first seven starts last year, showing just how dominant the right-hander has been.
First 7️⃣ starts of the season:
Gerrit Cole, 2023:
1.35 ERA
28 H
52 K
14 BB
.176 BAA
.476 OPS
66 Strike %Nestor Cortes, 2022:
1.35 ERA
23 H
49 K
11 BB
.164 BAA
.504 OPS
67 Strike %#YANKSonYES x #RepBX pic.twitter.com/u0JNv8jjsP— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 3, 2023
In addition to his microscopic 1.35 ERA, Cole has allowed just 28 hits, struck out 52 batters, walked 14, held opponents to a .176 batting average and a .476 OPS, and has a strike percentage of 66.
Cortes’ start to the 2022 season was very similar.
His strike percentage was at 67, while he held opposing hitters to a .164 average and .504 OPS.
He had also only walked 11 batters, allowed 23 hits, and struck out 49.
Cortes’ ERA was exactly the same as Cole’s ERA now.
But Cole has matched Cortes’ impressive mark from last season and appears to be on an elite pace, having seemingly rediscovered his 2019 form.
Cole’s strong start earned him Pitcher of the Month honors in the American League, as was announced early on Wednesday.
NEXT: Gerrit Cole Has Earned A Tremendous Honor
