COLUMBIA, MO. • The starting pitchers’ duel that drew dozens of scouts to Taylor Stadium on Friday was decided after Missouri and Florida’s staff aces became spectators.
The opener of three-game Southeastern Conference series matched two of the nation’s top college arms, Missouri’s Tanner Houck and Florida’s Alex Faedo, both juniors projected as high first-round prospects for this summer’s MLB draft. A crowd of around 40 pro scouts filled the first few rows of Taylor Stadium, radar guns in hand to clock the two power righthanders who have been teammates on USA Baseball’s collegiate national team.