MLB Network counted down their top 100 players in baseball right now, and the Yankees' new ace cracked the top 10.
Gerrit Cole, who signed to a massive nine-year, $324 million deal with the Bronx Bombers this offseason, came in at number 7 on the list, the highest rated pitcher, coming in exactly one spot ahead of back-to-back Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom.
The right-hander's lucrative contract was warranted, though, as he's been one of the most dominating pitchers in the game over the past two years, while also winning 19 games and making the All-Star Game as a Pirate in 2015.
But Cole's two seasons with the Houston Astros were simply outstanding, as he pitched to a 2.68 ERA with a 0.962 WHIP, striking out a combined 602 batters in 412.2 innings during the regular season. His postseason numbers were dominant as well, owning a 0.79 ERA in two ALDS series, a 2.77 ALCS ERA, and a 3.86 ERA in the World Series.
Cole now tops a rotation that will also contain Luis Severino (who came in at number 83 on MLB Network's list), James Paxton (when he returns from back surgery), Masahiro Tanaka, and likely J.A. Happ, giving the Bombers one of the deepest rotations in baseball.
Aside from Cole and Severino, six other Yankees made the top 100: Gary Sanchez (80), Aroldis Chapman (75), Giancarlo Stanton (63), D.J. LeMahieu (37), Gleyber Torres (31), and Aaron Judge (16).