Colorado pitcher Cole Winn selected 15th overall in MLB Draft

Colorado isn’t well known for its prep baseball, like say Texas or California, but sometimes there’s a prospect who represents our wonderful state. Tonight in the MLB Draft, Colorado prep pitcher Cole Winn was drafted 15th overall by the Texas Rangers.

Winn’s listed high school is the powerhouse Orange Luthern in Orange, California, but he played at Silver Creek High School in Longmont until this season. He was named Colorado Pitcher of the Year in 2017 while playing home games 20 minutes from the CU campus.

He reportedly moved to Southern California to play in front of more scouts against better competition. He made the most of that opportunity by posting a 0.20 ERA and 120 strikeouts in 70 innings this season. For reference, he hit twice as many home runs (4) as he allowed earned runs (2).

Winn is the fourth Colorado player to be selected in the first round since 2010. The others were Kyle Freeland (Denver) to the Rockies 8th overall in 2014, Marcos Gonzales (Fort Collins) to the Cardinals 19th overall in 2013, and Kevin Gausman (Centennial) to the Orioles 4th overall in 2012.

Other first rounders from Colorado would include Denver-native Luke Hochevar 1st overall in 2007, David Aardsma (Greenwood Village) 22nd in 2003, and the late Roy Halladay 17th overall in 1995.

This isn’t Colorado Buffaloes news, but we are proud to report on a Boulder County high schooler putting local baseball on the national stage.