It would be easy to understand how Ryan Rolison might consider his sophomore year at the University of Mississippi a distant memory.
Rolison, a 2016 graduate of the University School of Jackson, and left-handed pitcher who played baseball collegiately at Ole Miss, completed his first year of professional ball with the Grand Junction Rockies, the Pioneer League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies in September.
“It was a great year for me,” Rolison said, “Ending my career at Ole Miss and getting drafted in the first round was a surreal moment for me … kind of a whirlwind of emotions … losing my last game in college, yet being drafted in the first round by the Colorado Rockies, signing my (contract) with them, then going to the rookie ball team in Grand Junction, Colorado.”
Rolison, who was the 22nd pick overall in the 2018 MLB Draft in June, made the most of his time in Grand Junction.
He started 10 games, worked 32 innings, allowed 18 hits, seven earned runs, walked eight and struck out 40 batters.
Rolison said preparation is beginning for the 2019 season, but not before some rest.
“I threw over 130 innings this year (college and pro), so the plan right now is to shut it down and recover from such a long season,” Rolison said, “I’ll let my arm rest for a little bit … not pick up a ball until after Christmas. I’ll be weightlifting until then, and get my body ready for next season.”
For Rolison, his office is a baseball park, and the look in his eyes tell you he enjoys arriving at work every day.
“Getting to play baseball for a living … I’m so blessed to be in this situation … getting paid to play a game I’ve loved for so long,” Rolison said. “I go to Spring training in February (Scottsdale, Arizona), and I’m really excited about that – excited for what’s in store for next year.”
(PHOTO: Ryan Rolison, left, visits NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM with Dan Reaves & Sea Bass – not pictured)
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