Gerrit Cole vs. Jameson Taillon Highlights Pittsburgh Pirates Scrimmage

The Pittsburgh Pirates black and gold scrimmage will showcase the two biggest pitching prospects in the Buccos organization. Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon will face off against each other at McKechnie Field.

Jameson Taillon. Gerrit Cole.  It’s what we’ve heard about for quite some time now and each day it gets closer to becoming a reality.

Every Pittsburgh Pirates fan dreams about the Pirates being a winner again.  If Cole and Taillon can stay on track in 2013, the Pirates could become a very tough team to beat in the NL Central.

The 21-year old Taillon is in big-league camp for the first time in his career.  Taillon looked impressive in winning all three of his Double-A starts at the end of the 2012 season in Altoona.

The 22-year old Cole climbed all the way to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians last season in his first season of pro ball.  Cole was dominant when we saw him pitch at Altoona and had his ups and downs at the Triple-A level.  But he did chalk up 136 strikeouts and 45 walks in 132 innings.

The plan always has been for the pair of right handers to be promoted when each shows that they are ready.  The maturation of something that should be very special will continue when the two face each other at McKechnie.

Cole will fire his first pitch against Team Gold’s leadoff hitter Starling Marte.  Taillon will throw his first pitch against Team Black’s Alex Presley.  A lot of fans will be on hand to witness it.   But it’s just the start…

This time next season we trust Cole is preparing to break camp as the ace of the rotation.  Taillon could be on the brink.

Patience has been the word used all along by the Buccos brass.  Forgive us if we can’t wait.