Marlins’ Tyler Kolek Has Tommy John Surgery

The 2014 draft was unique for having two high school pitchers, Brady Aiken and Tyler Kolek, picked with the first two selections.

Now, both have had Tommy John surgery.

Two industry sources with direct knowledge have confirmed an MLB.com report that Kolek, the 6-foot-5, 260-pound righthander, has had Tommy John surgery, reportedly on Wednesday.

Aiken never signed in 2014 and had Tommy John surgery prior to last year’s draft, when he went No. 17 overall to the Indians. Kolek, meanwhile, signed for $6 million as the No. 2 overall pick, tying a mark for being the highest-drafted high school righthander ever.

After a modest showing in ’14 in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, Kolek had a difficult full-season debut, going 4-10, 4.56 for low Class A Greensboro. Worse, he pitched with erratic velocity for his fastball that rarely reached the 100 mph heat he showed as a prep, well-below-average secondary pitches and below-average control (5.05 BB/9 IP).

The biggest positives were Kolek taking his turn 25 times during the season and that he competed despite not having his best stuff. One scout who saw Kolek this spring reported little progress with his breaking ball and changeup, calling it a “BP fastball,” but said Kolek’s fastball had been in the 93-96 mph range.

Now he’s had the elbow surgery that usually requires 12-to-18 months of rehab, meaning Kolek, 20, will miss all of 2016 at least. He had ranked as the Marlins’ No. 1 prospect entering 2016, though he did not make BA’s Top 100 Prospects list.