It’s draft day, the Miami Marlins are on the clock with the choice of two young pitchers, high school fireballer Tyler Kolek, or NC State product Carlos Rodon. The Marlins chose Kolek, the more expensive, interesting, and risky pick passing on the sure fire Rodon.
Unfortunately for the Marlins, Kolek and Rodon went in opposite directions. Rodon was fast-tracked to the majors making his debut in 2015, while Kolek labored through a season full of struggles in Single-A Greensboro. With disappearing velocity and lack of developed secondary pitches, 2015 was about as bad as it could get Kolek.