Yankees select Orange Lutheran's Cole

Orange Lutheran right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole  was drafted by the New York Yankees with the 28th pick in the first round of the MLB Draft today.

Being a Yankee means something to Cole. They have been his favorite team since he started playing tee-ball at 6 for the Tustin Western Little League Rockies.

He wrote a sixth-grade book report on Yankee Ironman Lou Gehrig. He names shortstop Derek Jeter as his favorite player, while his father, Mark, has been a big fan of Bernie Williams.

"Gerrit is a huge Yankees fan," said his Orange Lutheran coach Mike Grahovac.

Cole, who has signed with UCLA, posted an 8-2 record with a 0.46 ERA this season for the Lancers. He recorded 121 strikeouts and allowed just 18 walks in 75 2/3 innings.

Cole was the only county player to be selected in the first round. Tampa Bay selected Griffin High of Georgia shortstop Timothy Beckham with the first overall pick.

Esperanza's Jonathan Pettibone, a left-handed pitcher from Esperanza was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies with 110th overall selection. Also, left-handed pitcher John Lamb (Laguna Hills HS) went in the fifth round to the Kansas City Royals.

• List of all O.C. players selected in MLB Draft

• POLL: Was Scott Boras the reason Gerrit Pole wasn't drafter higher on Thursday?

• See Cole's 2008 baseball record at Orange Lutheran

• Angels pick Redlands player

• MLB Draft updates

Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com and masmith@ocregister.com