Sunday, May. 03, 2009

Dust Devils grad burning through the Sally

By Eric Degerman, sportstricities.com

I should have run this through our Northwest League beat writer, Jack Millikin, for confirmation, but I believe last year that left-handed ace Christian Friedrich was just the second first-round pick of the Colorado Rockies to swing through the Tri-Cities.

Jeff Francis was the first, in 2002. Unfortunately, Francis is not in the Rockies' plans this season because of February shoulder surgery.

However, it might not be long before the flame-throwing Friedrich brings his heat to Mile High.

Baseball America, the unquestioned authority of minor-league baseball, posted its latest "Hot Sheet" on Friday. Friedrich pops up at No. 9 with his blazing beginning for Asheville (N.C.) in the South Atlantic League.

If you check out the link for Friedrich's stats, then you'll recognize the cap he's wearing in the mug shot.

The next rung on the ladder of Rockies affiliates is Modesto (Calif.) Nuts. Yes, the Nuts. One mascot looks like an almond. The other appears to be a walnut.

Next month, the Dust Devils open their season in Boise on June 20. Their home opener is Tuesday, June 23 vs. Vancouver.