Kyle Richard Freeland (born May 14, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball at Evansville and was drafted by the Rockies with the eighth pick in the first round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft. Early life Freeland was born May 14, 1993, in Denver, Colorado to parents Don and Susan Freeland. He has one older brother, Colin. Freeland played many sports as a young athlete, but excelled in both golf and baseball. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver, Colorado. Collegiate career Freeland was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 35th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign and attended the University of Evansville. As a freshman in 2012, Freeland started 14 games, going 4–5 with a 4.55 earned run average (ERA) and 70 strikeouts in 91 innings. As a sophomore in 2013, he again started 14 games, going 4–8 with a 4.34 ERA and 84 strikeouts in innings. After the season, he played in the Cape Cod League with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks, where he had a 2.25 ERA and 48 strikeouts, and was named a league all-star. As a junior, he was 10–2 with a 1.90 ERA and 128 strikeouts over innings (14 starts). Following his junior year, he was drafted by the Rockies. Professional career Draft and minor leagues Considered a top prospect for the 2014 Major League Baseball draft, the Colorado Rockies selected Freeland in the first round, with the eighth overall pick, of the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft. Freeland spent 2014 with both the Grand Junction Rockies, and the Asheville Tourists, where he posted a combined 3–0 record with a 1.15 ERA between both teams. Freeland began the 2015 season with Grand Junction and was later promoted to the Modesto Nuts where he posted a 4.76 ERA. After the season, Freeland was assigned to the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League. In 2016, Freeland began the season with the Hartford Yard Goats, and was promoted to the Albuquerque Isotopes in June. Freeland posted an 11–10 record with a 3.89 ERA between the two clubs, starting 26 games. Major leagues Freeland made his major league debut with the Rockies on April 7, 2017, against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and earned his first win. He also had his first major league hit,