Gerrit Cole was the first-overall pick in the MLB amateur draft in 2011 after starring for three seasons in college. He was picked by the Pirates and made his debut at 22, halfway through his second full profe sional season. Paul Skenes is on a similar, but not identical, path. Paul Skenes may be called up soon by the Pirates. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con The fireballing 21-year-old has made a name for himself with a fastball that . Like Cole, hes from southern California and has dominated in his first pro season after being the No. 1 overall pick after three years of college also by the Pirates in last years draft. Skenes is getting called up to make his MLB debut on Saturday, the Pirates announced Wednesday afternoon. Explore More When he gets to the majors, hell bring with him the fastest four-seam fastball of any starter, as well as plenty of attention including Coles. Ive been watching and seen his highlights, Cole said. I can relate to his situation, but I didnt throw that hard. It seems like his fastball James Harden Jersey is meant to be thrown another 10 feet further. It just gets there a lot quicker than others, like hes supposed to be throwing from 70 feet. Gerrit Cole is impre sed by Paul Skenes from afar. Robert Sabo for NY Post Its that unmatched velocity thats helped put Skenes in the spotlight and also created concern that hell become yet another young pitcher who gets hurt. Im just rooting for him to make it, Cole said. Some can just pick up a ball and throw it like that. Id say its safe to say he has one of those kinds of arms and now were in an environment that allows you to max out sooner. Cole stayed remarkably injury-free until this spring, when he was sidelined by elbow inflammation. He avoided surgery and . Paul Skenes was the No. 1 pick in the draft. AP And he threw plenty of pitches as a young pitcher in the minors something Skenes hasnt been permitted to do with the Pirates. Skenes has made seven starts at Triple-A this season and not thrown more than 75 pitches. Cole was throwing more than 100 pitches at Double-A by the latter part of his first pro season and is not a fan of the change in development. We dont know how good this guy is, Cole said. Nobody does. He could break the whole mold. He could be the greatest of all time. Why hold him back? Let him throw more, let him throw 98 [mph] instead of 102. If you limit him to 60 [pitches], hes gonna go 103 [mph]. Let the horse run. Stretch him out. Youve got a window now where you can develop him. The 6-foot-6, 235-pound Skenes starred at LSU after spending his first two collegiate seasons at the Air Force Academy. Hell turn 22 this month and has thrown just 27 / innings this season. Skenes has struck out 45 batters, walked just eight and has an ERA of 0.99. Gerrit Cole during his Pirates days. AP I know hes been blowing everyones minds, Cole said. He looks like hes one of those generational-type arms. Im excited to see what he does. Hes got a lot of work ahead of him, but right out of the gate, he has the tools. Jeremiah Martin Jersey