Grading every Rockies’ first round pick in franchise history

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Since the Rockies joined the National League as an expansion team in 1992, the franchise has made 23 first round draft picks. 16 of those picks have been pitchers, the most selected of any position.

Eleven of those picks were fresh out of high school, while 12 were college players.

The Rockies have never owned the first overall pick, but have had several top-10 picks with their highest being number two in 2006 when they selected right handed pitcher Greg Reynolds.

Pitching has always been a weakness for Colorado but not for lack of effort via the draft. Problem is, they haven’t made very good use of their high draft picks. The good news is they have three good arms set to fill the Rockies’ rotation within the next couple years.

What follows is my breakdown of each pick, their accomplishments with the team, and give them a grade.

Let’s take a look.

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

1992 – John Burke RHP (27th overall) University of Florida

With the first pick in franchise history, the Rockies selected local boy John Burke. Burke was born in Durango and graduated from Cherry Creek High School, which heavily contributed to the decision to draft him. He pitched in the College World Series in 1991 with the University of Florida and was an All-American after setting many school pitching records.

Burke never met the high expectations set upon him. Faring well in the minor leagues, he finally made his Major League debut in 1996 at age 26. He appeared in just 28 career games (9 starts) with the Rockies and pitched his last game in 1997.

 Numbers with Rockies: 4-6, 6.75 ERA, 58 K, 74.2 IP

Where Are They Now? Burke retired in 1998 and went back to school to earn his bachelors degree in Anthropology in 2000. He currently resides in Littleton, Colorado.

Grade: C-. The Rockies would have liked more than 28 games out of the first draft pick in franchise history. They took a local kid with great college numbers and it just didn’t work out.

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

1993 – Jamey Wright RHP (28th overall) Westmoore High School (Oklahoma)

For the second time in two years, the Rockies took a pitcher in the first round. This time, a hard-throwing high school All-American from Oklahoma. Wright’s career began as a starter with the Arizona League Rockies in 1993. He worked his way up to Triple-A by 1996 and made his Major League debut later that year. He became a fixture in the Rockies’ rotation over the next three seasons.

Wright started 26 games in 1997, 34 in 1998 and 16 in 1999 before being sent down to Triple-A and was eventually traded to Milwaukee following the 1999 season. In 2004 Wright returned to Colorado after being released by the Kansas City Royals. He went 2-3 with a 4.12 ERA in 14 starts in the second half of 2004. In 2005, Wright made 34 appearances (27 starts) where he posted an 8-16 record with a 5.46 ERA.

Numbers with Rockies: 35-52, 5.40 ERA, 381 K, 791.2 IP

Where Are They Now? At 39 years of age, Wright pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. He appeared in 61 games (1 start) and posted a 5-4 record with a 5.45 ERA.

 Grade: B+. Although his numbers with the Rockies weren’t very good, he has been in the big leagues for 19 seasons (with 10 different teams).

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

1995 – Todd Helton 1B (8th overall) University of Tennessee

The first position player taken in the first round was a good one. Helton became the cornerstone of the franchise and fan favorite for 17 seasons. After getting some seasoning in the minor leagues in 1996 and half of 1997, Helton made his Major League debut on August 1, 1997 and never looked back. Playing mostly outfield until first baseman Andres Galarraga departed for the Atlanta Braves during the 1998 season, Helton became a permanent fixture at first base for the team.

Todd Helton holds club records for games played (2, 247), hits (2,519), home runs (369), doubles (592), walks (1,335), runs (1,401), RBIs (1,406) and total bases (4,292). Helton was a 5-time All-Star (2000-2004), 3-time Gold Glove Award winner (2001, 2002, 2004), 4-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2000-2003), and National League Batting Champion (2000).

 Numbers with Rockies: .316, 369 HR, 1,406 RBI, .539 SLG

Where Are They Now? Helton retired after 17 seasons with the Rockies following the 2013 season. He and his family reside in Brighton, Colorado, awaiting his induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Grade: A+. Helton was the best pick in franchise history. A likely Hall of Famer who has set every major team hitting record is the best you can hope for in the draft.

Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

1996 – Jake Westbrook RHP (27th overall) Madison County High School (Georgia)

Westbrook started his long and successful career in the Rockies’ farm system, pitching for the Arizona League Rockies and Portland Rockies of the Northwest League in 1996. He was promoted to the Class A Asheville Tourists of the South Atlantic League in 1997 where he made 27 starts. Following the 1997 season, Westbrook was traded to the Montreal Expos with fellow minor leaguers John Nicholson and Mark Hamlin for infielder Mike Lansing.

Following two more seasons, making 27 starts in the Expos’ minor league system, Westbrook was traded again, this time to the New York Yankees in 1999. He made his Major League debut on June 17, 2000 with the Yankees and appeared in just three games before getting traded again on June 29, 2000 to the Cleveland Indians.

Westbrook found a home in Cleveland, pitching for the Indians from 2000-2010. He became a full-time starter in 2004 and was named to the American League All-Star team that season. In 2007, he signed a three-year, $33 million contract extension keeping him in Cleveland through the 2010 season.

At the trade deadline in the 2010 season, Westbrook was involved in a three-team trade that sent him to the St. Louis Cardinals. He won a World Series ring with the Cardinals in 2011 and announced his retirement from baseball before the 2014 season.

 Numbers with Rockies: (Minor League numbers) 24-17, 3.12 ERA, 244 K, 344.2 IP

Where Are They Now? After 13 seasons in the Major Leagues, Westbrook announced his retirement on February 14, 2014 . He is enjoying his retirement with his wife and four children at their home in Georgia.

Grade: B. Westbrook had a solid career, one that the Rockies would be happy with if he had spent some or any of it in Colorado. It turned out to be a good pick, just a bad choice to trade him before he developed into a good Major League arm.

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

 1997 – Mark Magnum RHP (18th overall) Kingwood High School (Texas)

Magnum is another guy who had a short stay with the Rockies’ organization. He never made it to the Major Leagues and was traded to Montreal after pitching just 14 games for the Arizona League Rockies. He never made it past Double-A in six seasons in the minors.

 Numbers with Rockies: (Minor League numbers) 4-6, 4.80 ERA, 77 K, 65.2 IP

Where Are They Now? Magnum now runs Magnum Insurance, a leading Texas independent insurance agency and is a coach for the Houston Heat travel baseball team.

Grade: F. Magnum never made it to the Major Leagues. He never even made it past Double-A and his numbers weren’t good. Considering he was taken over Jayson Werth, Adam Kennedy and Jack Cust in the first round of the 1997 draft, this was a terrible pick.

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

1998 – Matt Roney RHP (28th overall) Edmond North High School (Oklahoma)

Roney is the next pitcher in a long line of Rockies’ first round picks. He spent the first four seasons of his career in the Rockies’ farm system, making it to Double-A before being traded to the Detroit Tigers following the 2002 season. He made his Major League debut in 2003 with the Tigers, appearing in 45 games that season (11 starts).

Detroit released him during the 2005 season and he signed with the Oakland Athletics and appeared in just three games in the big leagues with the A’s. He signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2006. On April 30, 2007, Roney was suspended for 50 games for violation of baseball’s minor league drug program.

Numbers with Rockies: (minor league numbers) 30-40, 4.70 ERA, 547 K, 548.1 IP

 Where Are They Now? After receiving a 50-game suspension in 2007, there is no news on Roney. He is currently a free agent.

Grade: D-. He did make it to the Major Leagues, but ultimately got caught cheating and never appeared in a Rockies’ uniform. Overall this was a disapointing pick.

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

1999 – Jason Jennings RHP (16th overall) Baylor University

Jennings is the only player in Rockies’ franchise history to win the Rookie of the Year award after his stellar 2002 season. In his Major League debut, Jennings tossed a complete game shutout and hit a home run, becoming the first Major League player in history to accomplish that. He was a fixture in the Rockies’ rotation from 2002-2006, never posting a record above .500 but did have a 3.78 ERA in 2006.

Following the 2006 season, Jennings was traded along with Miguel Asencio to the Houston Astros for Willy Taveras, Taylor Buchholz and Jason Hirsh. He posted sub-par numbers with Houston in 2007 and signed a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers in 2008. He landed on the disabled list after just six starts and bounced around from organization to organization until 2011 when he signed with the Grand Prairie AirHogs in Independent Ball.

Numbers with Rockies: 58-56, 4.74 ERA, 622 K, 941.0 IP

Where Are They Now? Jennings is retired from baseball now and had his number retired at Baylor University. He resides in Dallas, Texas.

Grade: B-. Compared to the other pitchers the Rockies have selected in the first round, Jennings turned out to be a good pick. He won the Rookie of the Year award and was a solid pitcher in the Rockies’ rotation for five seasons.

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

2000 – Matt Harrington RHP (7th overall) Palmdale High School (California)

Harrington was regarded as one of the top talents of the 2000 draft, and many of the teams at the top of the draft were scared away by the demands of his agent. The Rockies decided to take a chance and selected him but Harrington and the Rockies were never able to come to an agreement on contract terms.

The Rockies final offer was $4 million and a guaranteed Major League call-up by the end of 2002. Harrington turned down the deal and re-entered the draft in 2001. Here’s a fascinating article about the Harrington ordeal by ESPN.

Numbers with Rockies: None

Where Are They Now? Per the ESPN article, Harrington now works in the tire department at Costco making $11.50 an hour in his hometown of Palmdale, California.

 Grade: F. The Rockies should have seen this coming. You cannot afford to waste a top-10 pick on someone so risky. Hopefully they learned their lesson from this unfortunate series of events.

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

2001 – Jayson Nix SS (44th overall) Midland High School (Texas)

The Rockies selected Nix as a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds of the 2001 Major League draft as compensation for not signing their first round pick in 2000 (Matt Harrington). Nix spent seven seasons in the Rockies’ farm system before making his Major League debut as the team’s starting second baseman in 2008. He lasted less than a month before losing his starting job due to lack of production.

Nix was then designated for assignment, cleared waivers and was sent to Triple-A. After the 2008 season he was signed by the Chicago White Sox as a free agent and that was it for Nix in a Rockies’ uniform. Although he was dreadful in his short time with the Rockies, Nix went on to be a formidable utility player for a number of Major League teams.

Numbers with Rockies: .125, 0 HR, 2 RBIs, .161 SLG

Where Are They Now? Nix is still in the Majors, most recently with the Kansas City Royals. His numbers have never been pretty but he has always seemed to find a spot on a Major League roster.

Grade: D. While Nix is still in the Major Leagues and has played for some good teams, he only appeared in 22 games as a Rockie after spending almost a decade in the Minors. I would consider this pick a bust.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

2002 – Jeff Francis LHP (9th overall) University of British Columbia

Francis was named Minor League Player of the Year in 2004 after recording a combined 16-3 record with a 2.21 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A. He made his Major League debut in September of 2004 and went on to make 33 starts in 2005, posting a 14-12 record with a 5.68 ERA. By 2007, Francis had reached the peak of his career, the ace of a staff that made it to the franchise’s first ever World Series.

He became the first Canadian starting pitcher to win a postseason game in the Divisional Series that year, and just the second Canadian starting pitcher to pitch in a World Series game. Francis struggled in 2008, making just 21 starts, and eventually needed arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder, causing him to miss the entire 2009 season. In 2010, Francis returned from injury and had a mediocre season, posting a 4-6 record with a 5.00 ERA.

In 2011, Francis signed a one-year deal with the Kansas City Royals. He returned to Colorado in mid-2012 and re-signed with the team in 2013. He posted a career-worst 6.27 ERA that season, his last with the Rockies.

 Numbers with Rockies: 64-62, 4.96 ERA, 742 K, 1066.0 IP

Where Are They Now? Francis has bounced around but is still in the Majors. He pitched for the Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics and the New York Yankees in 2014, mostly in relief.

Grade: B+. Overall, Francis was solid in his time with the Rockies. He has the third-most wins in franchise history, and led the team to its only World Series appearance.

May 11, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Angels third baseman Ian Stewart (44) slides in to third base for a triple in the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. The Angels won 9-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

2003 – Ian Stewart 3B (10th overall) La Quinta High School (California)

Stewart put up great numbers in the minor leagues and was ranked the fourth-best prospect in baseball in 2004 behind Delmon Young, Felix Hernandez and Joe Mauer. His numbers dwindled as he reached higher levels of the minors but eventually made his Major League debut in 2007.

Stewart displayed raw power in the minors giving the Rockies hope that he could become a fixture in the middle of the lineup. He struggled early on but went on to win National League Rookie of the Month in 2008 and became the Rockies’ everyday third baseman in 2009-2010.

In 2011, his last season with the club, he split time between the Majors and Triple-A. Following the 2011 season, Stewart was traded to the Chicago Cubs along with pitching prospect Casey Weathers for Tyler Colvin and DJ LaMahieu.

 Numbers with Rockies: .236, 54 HR, 187 RBIs, .428 SLG

Where Are They Now? Last season, Stewart played 24 games at third base for the Los Angeles Angels. He has continued to struggle with his consistency.

Grade: C. He never lived up to the hopes the Rockies had for him, but did have a couple decent seasons in Colorado. He is still in the Major Leagues, hoping to find a home.

Aug 27, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Los Angeles Angels third baseman Chris Nelson (8) against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Los Angeles Angels defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

2004 – Chris Nelson SS (9th overall) Redan High School (Georgia)

Nelson received the third-largest signing bonus in team history after being selected 9^th overall in 2004. He put up good numbers in the minors and was called-up in 2010 when Troy Tulowitzki went on the disabled list. He showed flashes of brilliance and although he struggled for much of the 2011 season, was named the starting third baseman by spring training of 2012.

Nelson hit .301 in 111 games that season but struggled again in 2013, ultimately leading to him being traded to the New York Yankees on May 1, 2013.

Numbers with Rockies: .279, 13 HR, 73 RBIs, .416 SLG

Where Are They Now? Nelson has had a hard time finding a home since leaving Colorado. Over the past two seasons, he has played for four different teams, most recently the San Diego Padres and was designated for assignment, becoming a free agent late last season. Nelson signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on November 25, 2014.

Grade: D+. He showed some potential of being a capable everyday player but after a disappointing start to the 2013 season, the Rockies became frustrated with him and sent him packing. He has value as a utility man but hardly a worthy first round pick.

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

2005 – Troy Tulowitzki SS (7th overall) Long Beach State University

Playing just 126 minor league games, Tulowitzki made his Major League debut on August 30, 2006. By 2007, Tulo was the Rockies’ starting shortstop, a void they had been trying to fill for years. In his rookie season Tulo shined, hitting .291 with 24 home runs and 99 RBIs and played in a career-high 155 games.

He finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting behind Ryan Braun. In January of 2008, Tulowitzki signed a six-year, $31 million contract extension with the Rockies. At the time it was the largest contract ever given to a player with less than two years of Major League service.

Although his career has been riddled with injuries, Tulowitzki is a two-time Gold Glove Award winner (2010-2011), two-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2010-2011) and a four-time All-Star (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014). Considered by many as the best shortstop in baseball, injuries continue to haunt him.

Tulowitzki has averaged just 117 games per season in his career and for the first time since his arrival, the Rockies’ front office is listening to offers on him this offseason.

 Numbers with Rockies: .299, 176 HR, 604 RBIs, .517 SLG

Where Are They Now? Tulo is entering his 10^th season as the Rockies’ shortstop and franchise player. He continues to put up monstrous numbers when healthy, but underwent hip surgery on August 10, 2014.

Grade: A. The Rockies hit the jackpot with Tulowitzki. He is considered one of the best overall players in baseball. He is under team control for another six years and could go down as the best player in franchise history. If it weren’t for his track record of injuries, this pick would get an A++.

Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

2006 – Greg Reynolds RHP (2^nd overall) Stanford University

The highest pick in team history, Reynolds had high expectations from an organization desperately looking for an ace. After putting up good numbers in his first two seasons in the minor leagues, Reynolds suffered a shoulder injury in 2007 and was never the same.

He made his Major League debut on May 11, 2008 and finished the season with a 2-8 record and an astronomical 8.13 ERA. He was sent down to the minors and made his way back to the Rockies in 2011, appearing in 13 games (3 starts) and posted a disappointing 6.19 ERA. On January 5, 2012, Reynolds was traded to the Texas Rangers.

Numbers with Rockies: 5-8, 7.47, 40 K, 94.0 IP

Where Are They Now? Reynolds last pitched for Japan’s Saitama Seibu Lions in 2014. He is currently a free agent.

Grade: F. The Rockies passed on some big talent (Clayton Kershaw, Evan Longoria, Tim Lincecum, Max Scherzer) to take Reynolds at number two overall. It’s unfortunate that he was never the same pitcher after injuring his shoulder. This pick was a monumental bust.

2007 – Casey Weathers RHP (8^th overall) Vanderbilt University

The Rockies took the converted outfielder from Vanderbilt with the 8^th overall pick in 2007 and gave him a $1.8 million signing bonus. Weathers was a dominant reliever in college, leading the team in saves and wins during his senior season and pitched for team USA that summer.

In 2008, Weathers posted a 3.05 ERA in 44 games with Double-A Tulsa but underwent Tommy John surgery on October 31st. After missing the entire 2009 season he struggled in the minor leagues in 2010, posting a 6.75 ERA in High-A and again in 2011, finishing with a 5.32 ERA in Double-A. On December 8, 2011 Weathers was traded to the Chicago Cubs along with former first rounder Ian Stewart for Tyler Colvin and DJ LaMahieu.

Numbers with Rockies: (minor league numbers) 4-7, 4.69 ERA, 169 K, 135.0 IP

Where Are They Now? Weathers has continued to struggle with injuries. He has yet to make his Major League debut and most recently signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians on December 31, 2014. But hey, he can still throw the ball hard.

Grade: F. The Rockies paid for taking a relief pitcher so high in the draft. Not to mention passing on Madison Bumgarner and Jason Heyward. This was yet another bust in a long line first round disappointments for Colorado.

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

2008 – Christian Friedrich LHP (25^th overall) Eastern Kentucky University

The Rockies took yet another pitcher in 2008, this time it was Christian Freidrich, a lefty out of Eastern Kentucky. Freidrich was ranked the 95th best prospect in baseball prior to the 2009 season and the 33rd best prospect prior to the 2010 season. He made his Major League debut on May 9, 2012. By August 3rd, Freidrich suffered from a stress fracture in his lower back, which ended his season after posting a 5-8 record with a 6.17 ERA in 16 starts.

He pitched just four games in 2013 with Triple-A Colorado Springs. Last season he appeared in 27 games in Triple-A, posting a 7.00 ERA but was called up to the big leagues anyway. He appeared in 16 games (3 starts) with the Rockies and finished with a 0-4 record with a 5.92 ERA.

Numbers with Rockies: 5-12, 6.11 ERA, 101 K, 109.0 IP

Where Are They Now? Bouncing back and forth from Triple-A and the Major Leagues. The Rockies moved him to the bullpen to see if he would become more effective, to no avail.

Grade: C-. Although his numbers aren’t pretty, the Rockies seem to be optimistic that he can transition to the bullpen. Considering all the pitching busts the Rockies have endured, Freidrich has been a breath of fresh air.

Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

2009 – Tyler Matzek RHP (11^th overall) Capistrano Valley High School (California)

Prior to the 2010 season, Matzek was ranked the 23^rd best prospect in baseball. After having success in the minors, he was called up and made his Major League debut June 11, 2014. He earned the win, giving up just two runs and striking out seven over seven plus innings. He pitched his first complete game shutout later in the season against the San Diego Padres, giving up just three hits.

Numbers with Rockies: 6-11, 4.05 ERA, 91 K, 117.2 IP

Where Are They Now? Matzek will likely start next season in the Rockies’ bullpen unless they make some upgrades this winter.

Grade: C. Hard to grade this pick thus far. Good news is he has contributed at the Major League level and has yet to get hurt.

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

2010 – Kyle Parker OF (26^th overall) Clemson University

Parker was a two-sport star in college at Clemson, quarterback of the Tigers’ football team and star of the baseball team. He has put up good numbers while climbing through the farm system, hitting for power and average. He made his Major League debut last season and played in 18 games, hitting just .192 with no home runs and one RBI.

Numbers with Rockies: .192, 0 HR, 1 RBI, .231 SLG

Where Are They Now? Parker will likely start next season in Triple-A. He has a lot of potential and could turn out to be a good player if the Rockies give him a little more time to develop.

Grade: B. Too early in the game to say but he has put up promising numbers in the minor leagues and should get more Major League at-bats this season.

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

2011 – Tyler Anderson LHP (20^th overall) University of Oregon

Prior to the 2013 season, Anderson was named the 6^th best prospect in the Rockies’ farm system. He suffered a stress fracture in his elbow in 2013, which led to the Rockies being very careful with his innings pitched. In 2014, Anderson finished with a 2.08 ERA over 112.1 innings with the Tulsa Drillers, earning him Texas League Pitcher of the Year. He was added to the Rockies’ 40-man roster on November 20, 2014.

Numbers with Rockies: (minor league numbers) 23-10, 2.38 ERA, 263 K, 328.1 IP

Where Are They Now? Anderson is slowly working his way up in the Rockies’ farm system, spending last season in Double-A where he had a lot of success.

Grade: B. So far so good for Tyler Anderson. He has had some setbacks but has rebounded strongly. The Rockies have high hopes for this kid.

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

2012 – David Dahl OF (10^th overall) Oak Mountain High School (Alabama)

The Rockies showed faith in Dahl, taking him with the 10^th overall pick straight out of high school. He started his professional career in rookie league with the Grand Junction Rockies where he hit .379 with nine home runs and 57 RBIs. Prior to the 2013 season, he was ranked the second-best prospect in the Rockies’ system. His sweet-swinging lefty bat would be nice to see in the Rockies’ lineup soon.

Numbers with Rockies: (minor league numbers) .325, 23 HR, 119 RBIs, .534 SLG

 Where Are They Now? Dahl split time last season between Single-A and High-A. Look for him to continue working his way through the system.

Grade: C. Hard to grade him since he hasn’t made it to the upper levels of the minor leagues yet. He hits for a high average and is a good athlete. We will get a better idea what this kid is made of over the next year or two.

Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

2013 – Jonathan Gray RHP (3^rd overall) University of Oklahoma

Gray received much hype coming out of college and entering the 2013 draft. Projected to be taken in the top-5, the Rockies snagged him at number three. He received a $4.8 million signing bonus and began his career with the Grand Junction Rockies in rookie ball.

He was later promoted to Single-A where he finished with a 0.75 ERA over 24.0 innings. Gray was invited to spring training in 2014 and later was assigned to Double-A. He posted a 10-5 record with a 3.91 ERA for Tulsa last season but missed the first round of the playoffs due to a sore shoulder.

 Numbers with Rockies: (minor league numbers) 14-5, 3.45 ERA, 164 K, 161.2 IP

 Where Are They Now? Gray spent the entire 2014 season in Double-A and had good numbers. Look for him to start the 2015 season in Triple-A and even make his Major League debut, barring any setbacks.

Grade: B+. Gray has looked good in the minor leagues thus far. He is a workhorse with a power arm and is built to withstand serious injury. We will get a better gauge on him next season and hopefully see him in purple and black come mid-to-late 2015.

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

2014 – Kyle Freeland LHP (8^th overall) University of Evansville

The Rockies selected local boy Kyle Freeland with the 8^th overall pick in last year’s draft. Freeland went to Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver. The lefty was taken in the 35^th round of the 2011 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies but passed and decided to go to the University of Evansville in Indiana where he improved each season.

His junior year he went 10-2 with a 1.90 ERA and struck out 128 over 99.2 innings. After being drafted last summer, Freeland started his professional career with the Grand Junction Rockies. In five games with Grand Junction, he posted a 1.56 ERA and was promoted to Single-A. He finished the season with a 2-0 record and a 0.83 ERA over 21.2 innings.

Numbers with Rockies: (minor league numbers) 3-0, 1.15 ERA, 33 K, 39.0 IP

Where Are They Now? Freeland is on a fast track to the major leagues and has had great success in his short time in the organization.

 Grade: B+. This kid is stirring up a buzz throughout the Rockies’ organization. At just 21-years old, he is turning a lot of heads in the minor leagues.

If he can stay healthy, the Rockies could have a bright future with Gray, Anderson and Freeland on their way to the show. Then maybe things will start to look up with Rockies’ first round picks.

Next: Is Nolan Arenado surpassing Carlos Gonzalez?