The Rockies have selected Kyle Freeland, LHP, Evansville, with the No. 8 pick in the 2014 MLB Draft.
Here's what the experts say:
"Freeland is college baseball's fastest-rising draft prospect as he continues to blow away hitters in nearly every outing ... Freeland is consistently reaching 95 on the radar gun while maintaining speed late into games. Freeland also can deploy a wicked-breaking slider and even a change-up on the rare occasions he needs a third pitch." — Wall Street Journal's Michael Salfino
"Freeland throws from a lower arm angle and features more effort in his delivery than scouts like to see in a starter. But he should be able to work out of a rotation in pro ball because he has two swing-and-miss pitches and throws strikes." — MLB.com prospect watch
DRAFT TRACKER: Follow live
Rockies take Colorado native / Evansville LHP Kyle Freeland. Huge celebration with him and his family showing on MLB Network
— Purple Row (@PurpleRow) June 5, 2014
Kyle Freeland 90-96 mph possibly best slider in the draft….with Gray, Butler and now Freeland…Rockies rotation future is bright
— JIM BOWDEN (@JimBowdenESPNxm) June 5, 2014
#Rockies’ #MLBDraft pick LHP Kyle Freeland: “I’m not afraid of [the altitude] & I’m looking to take it head on.”
— MLB Network PR (@MLBNetworkPR) June 6, 2014