Gerrit Cole makes MLB history for pitchers drafted 1st overall

Gerrit Cole has officially added another remarkable accomplishment to his already decorated MLB career. The New York Yankees ace picked up his 162nd career victory Friday night, passing Mike Moore for the most wins ever by a pitcher selected first overall in the MLB Draft.

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It is another milestone in what has been a long journey for Cole, who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates, traded to the Houston Astros, and eventually signed with the Yankees.

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Cole passes Mike Moore for the record

Jun 9, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) reacts in the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Cole reached the milestone during the Yankees’ 9-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, pitching six strong innings while allowing two runs on four hits with six strikeouts. The win moved him to 162 for his career, one ahead of Moore’s 161. David Price ranks third on the list with 157 victories after being selected first overall by Tampa Bay in 2007.

It is a fitting achievement for Cole, who entered professional baseball with enormous expectations after Pittsburgh selected him first overall in 2011 out of UCLA. MLB’s official player bio confirms Cole was the Pirates’ No. 1 pick that year.

Most wins by a pitcher drafted No. 1 overall:

• Gerrit Cole — 162 wins (2011)
• Mike Moore — 161 wins (1981)
• David Price — 157 wins (2007)

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From Pittsburgh to Houston to the Bronx

Cole’s path to the record has taken him through three different organizations. The Pirates developed him into a frontline starter before trading him to Houston in January 2018. With the Astros, Cole elevated his game to another level, earning two All-Star selections and finishing second in AL Cy Young voting in 2019.

He then signed with the Yankees before the 2020 season and eventually won the 2023 AL Cy Young Award. Now, more than 15 years after being selected first overall, Cole owns the record for career victories among pitchers who began their MLB journey with that distinction.

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