Rockies' Pitching Prospects Make Exclusive List, Impress in Minors

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Christian Friedrich (Ranked #32)

Modesto Nuts, age 21

Friedrich, chosen with the 25^th pick in the 2008 draft, celebrated his 21^st birthday on Wednesday, though he hasn’t pitched for nearly a month due to a minor injury.

Early in the season, Friedrich received a promotion from Asheville to Modesto after posting a 2.18 ERA and 66 strikeouts in his first eight starts. In 45.1 innings he was averaging over 13 strikeouts per game, a ridiculous number, even for the California League.

Since his promotion, Friedrich has started only three games, but has made the most of his opportunities, striking out 20 and walking only five batters in 20 innings of work. He has yet to give up more than two runs in a single game at Modesto.

Coming into the draft, Friedrich was heralded as one of the top left-handed pitchers available, and could have been selected in the top 15 picks. Instead, he fell to the Rockies by sheer dumb luck.

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