Gerrit Cole is now the face of modern-day baseball subterfuge. Right when MLB is starting to crack down on pitchers using foreign substances, the All-Star hurler hemmed and hawed when asked whether he’s used Spider Tack to improve his spin rate.
It’s the definition of bad optics.
Cole is far from the first pitcher to be accused of doctoring baseballs, of course. But in this egregious era of elevated strikeouts, the practice is especially loathsome. In an effort to resuscitate offense, MLB owners uniformly agreed last week to increase enforcement against pitchers who use illegal sticky substances during the game.
Right on cue, Twins slugger Josh Donaldson called out Cole after the news was reported. “Is it coincidence that Gerrit Cole’s spin rate numbers went down (Thursday) after four minor-leaguers got suspended for 10 games?,” he said, per the New York Post.
On Tuesday, Cole was asked directly whether he’s used Spider Tack, a product marketed to competitive strongman to improve their grip. Studies show it’s much more effective at increasing spin rates than other methods.
It took Cole roughly 15 seconds to search for an answer. “I don’t know … I don’t know … I don’t quite know how to answer that, to be honest,” he said.
Then he launched into a non-denial. “I mean, there are customs and practices that have been passed down from older players to younger players from the last generation of players to this generation of players,” he said. “I think there are some things that are certainly out of bounds in that regard, and I’ve stood pretty firm in terms of that, in terms of the communication between our peers and whatnot.”
Cole excelled in five seasons with the Pirates before dominating in Houston and landing a nine-year, $324 million contract with the Yankees. He was part of the now-infamous 2017 Astros, who stole signs and banged trash cans all the way to a World Series title. Trevor Bauer accused Astros pitchers, including Cole, of doctoring baseballs. And the spin-rate data is telling.
Cole’s four-seam spin rate jumped after his trade from Pittsburgh to Houston. As Tom Verducci illustrates, it jumped from 2,157 in 2015 to 2,332 in 2018.
Of course, it’s a stretch to say that Cole’s success is primarily due to the sticky stuff, though he now has to prove it.
Cole isn’t responsible for this dreadful offensive freeze, but he may wind up paying the price. We’ll be watching his spin rate.