There R Giants #48: Cole Waites

Photo Credit: Phrake Photography

We’re into the There R Giants Top 50. Over the next few months, I’ll write a post on each of the fifty players in my rankings, leading us back to spring. So far, we’ve covered:

• Just Missed

• #50: Diego Velasquez

• #49: Trevor McDonald

I’ll admit, I was slightly distracted when I saw him. It was late in the final game of my 10-day west coast baseball swing. I was writing notes on Manuel Mercedes, who had just completed a hitless outing. I was checking some video I’d shot. My first inclination that something special was about to happen was the sensation of sudden movement around me — as the new pitcher started his warm up tosses, the scouting section sprang to life, leaping for their radar guns with nearly a single motion. The young Giants pitchers sitting down in front with their own radar gun began calling out the readings… “98! 97! 98!” Oh….this WAS interesting!

I looked out but didn’t recognize the new pitcher. White kid, older looking, probably a college kid — a little shaggy and rough around the edges….classic reliever look. I scanned through my mental rolodex for who it could be. Then the Gameday operator asked for the name….Waites.

Four batters and two Ks later, it was over. He topped out at 99. It was August 7 and Cole Waites was making just his second appearance of the season. But over an electric six-week period to come, Waites would force his name into the conversation as one of the Giants’ very best late innings relief prospects. Cole did, indeed, wait, but when the time finally came to act, he was decisive. Nobody, in 2021, made more of an impression in less time than Waites.