2018 MLB Draft: The Rockies select Ryan Rolison with the 22nd overall pick

With the 22nd pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, the Colorado Rockies selected Mississippi LHP Ryan Rolison. In recent mock drafts, Rolison had been projected to go 20th by Keith Law of ESPN and 24th by Baseball America.

Rolison is one of the top college arms in the draft, although he has had an uneven spring. He posted a 3.79 ERA in 16 games (15 starts) for Mississippi while striking out 107 and walking 42 in 90 innings. The walks are particularly alarming given that they jumped up significantly from last season, but more recent looks at him for more positive on the command front.

Rolison features one of the best breaking balls in the class in his curveball that he throws hard and with great shape. His fastball is also and above average to plus offering that he throws in the low to mid 90’s and he can throw it for strikes to either side of the plate. He also possesses and slider and a changeup, but they do lag behind his other two pitches. The changeup is good enough to keep righties off of his fastball, but it would serve him well to develop the pitch further. He has the frame (6’2, 195) and delivery to stay as a starter and if the tick back up in his command is real, he could be a steal in this draft.

The knock on Rolison comes largely from his performance this spring since with his stuff and pedigree, he should have been more dominant this spring despite playing in the SEC which is one of the toughest college conferences. He will have to limit the free passes going forward, but if he can rein himself in...he is a top 10 pick talent.