Pirates' Reactions to Gerrit Cole's Spring Debut With Yankees Prove He's Already Locked in for 2020

Gerrit Cole made his highly-advertised (well, sort of) Spring Training debut for the New York Yankees on Monday, registering two strikeouts in a dominant inning of work against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The 29-year-old stud looked in midseason form, and the most telling ingredient of his first outing in Pinstripes was the sheer life his fastball boasted as it was consistently clocked at 97 MPH.

Pittsburgh was clearly relieved to see Cole head into the clubhouse for an early shower, and the team's quotes after the game prove that the $324 million hurler is already locked in for the 2020 season.

"He looks pretty ready to go," said Pirates slugger Josh Bell. "He's got some serious ride on his heater right now. That's pretty surprising for February. Definitely excited to see him in a couple months."

Shortstop Cole Tucker chimed in and noted that falling down 0-2 in the count to the Yankees' ace was "exactly how it goes in my nightmares." He even considered himself lucky to carve out a walk against Cole.

Tucker then referenced his relationship with Cole and how his "friend" was emotionless on the bump -- in other words, locked in and ready to mow down any batter who stepped up to the dish.

This should serve as music to the ears of Yankees fans. If Cole is taking Grapefruit League play this seriously, we don't even want to fathom the kind of impenetrable moxie he'll have come Opening Day.