Top pick Freeland debuts with two scoreless innings

Left-hander Kyle Freeland, the Rockies' first-round pick in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, made his professional debut Wednesday, with rookie-level Grand Junction. He threw two scoreless innings and the Rockies defeated Missoula, 12-2.

Freeland began his professional career by striking out D-backs No. 11 prospect Sergio Alcantara to lead off the first inning. He finished the night with two strikeouts and no walks. He allowed three hits.

Second baseman Forrest Wall, the Rockies' second pick, went 2-for-4 with two runs, a walk and an RBI. Five games into his own professional career, he is hitting .333/.440/.381 with eight runs.

The Rockies selected Freeland, a Denver native, with the eighth overall pick of the Draft on June 5. He signed with the club less than a week later.

As a junior at Evansville this spring, Freeland went 10-2 with a 1.90 ERA and struck out 128 batters in 99 2/3 innings. He was named Missouri Valley Pitcher of the Year and helped the Purple Aces to the regular-season conference championship.