“Gerrit is the Ultimate Competitor” – New York Yankees Catcher Speaks About the Mindset of Star Pitcher Gerrit Cole

The New York Yankees are in for a season to mark their future. With a disappointing postseason exit against the Boston Red Sox that they will be looking to get over, the 2022 season beckons.

And with not too many moves made in the off-season in a market rife with free agents, the Yankees will be eager to get their roster going. Now, if the players are to be believed, then star pitcher Gerrit Cole is ready to fire.

Gerrit Cole signed a mega-contract to pitch from the mound at the Yankee Stadium, and if reports from his roster mates are to be believed, then he is ready and raring to go in 2022.

With the pitcher set to take the mound in 2022, expectations will be high. And if Cole can deliver on his pitching promises, the Yankees will have high expectations.

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Kyle Higashioka talks about Gerrit Cole and his mentality

In a recent video doing its rounds on social media, his New York Yankees teammate, Kyle Higashioka, spoke up more about Gerrit Cole and his mentality to approach the season. While the catcher appeared to share some thoughts about Cole’s preparation, he was certainly awed by the star’s attitude too. Said Higashioka, “Gerrit is the ultimate competitor, there’s no doubt about it.”

Sharing a clubhouse with the pitcher, Higashioka seemed in awe of the tsar and his mentality. More specifically how Cole managed to bring in that intensity every time that he took the mound. Said Higashioka, “He’s got the most fiery presence on the mound and he’s not satisfied with anything less than perfection.”

New York Yankees – Preparation for 2022?

Perhaps that sort of gumption is exactly what the New York Yankees need this season to succeed. “Everytime that he goes out there we know that he’s going to give everything he’s got, mentally and physically, to winning that ball-game,” said Higashioka. With the Yankees now staring down the barrel at a talent-laden AL East conference, they really will be tested in 2022.

And talent and mentality like Cole will probably be the least the Yankees will need to show in 2022; especially if they harbor any hopes to make it to the post-season. While mentality is an obvious angle, so too will be the skill set that the Yankees have at their disposal.

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But what do you think? How far can the Yankees make it this year? And if they make it to the post-season, do you see them as favorites to win it all in the World Series? What pieces do you think they need to add to be a contending squad?