Rike to rake for Rockies

The Colorado Rockies grabbed Louisiana Tech outfielder Brian Rike with the 72nd pick in the draft (2nd round).

Though Rike was expecting to hear his name called between the second and fourth rounds he was happily surprised it came when it did. Rike soon will be on the road to a hitter's haven and, given his time at Tech's smallish J.C. Love Field, he should feel right at home.

The Rockies' minor league system is filled with hitter-friendly parks from low Class A Asheville all the way to the big leagues.

Rike's college coach, Wade Simoneaux, paid him the ultimate compliment, calling him "an all-around baseball kid."

No wonder the scouts enjoyed Rike's meteoric rise almost as much as he did.