Hopewell graduate Joe Rock turned a productive junior season at Ohio University — highlighted by a no-hitter against Morehead State in February — into a reputation the Colorado Rockies couldn’t ignore.
Rock, 6-foot-6, 200-pound left-hander, was chosen 68th overall by the Rockies in Compensatory Round B of the MLB Draft on Monday.
After taking a redshirt in the covid-shortened 2020 season, Rock made 14 starts for Ohio this season. He recorded an 8-3 record with a 2.33 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. He was especially efficient as his strikeout total shows. He whiffted 117 batters in 88 2/3 innings, with 27 walks. Opposing hitters compiled a .209 batting average against him.
Two years ago, he appeared in 16 games (11 starts), compiling a 2-4 record in 59 innings with a 5.19 ERA, 41 strikeouts and 37 walks.
At Hopewell, he was an all-section pitcher as a junior in 2017, with an 8-3 record, 1.30 ERA and 108 strikeouts. As a sophomore he was 4-2 with a 2.25 ERA and 34 strikeouts.
He threw two no-hitters in high school, including one that sent Hopewell into the PIAA playoffs. He was ranked as the No. 9 left-hander in Pennsylvania by Prep Baseball Report.
