#JL SQUAD Featured: Jake Madden

Our first glimpse of Jake Madden came from high school video footage provided to us by his agent, Tucker Ward of RAW Sports Management. At first glance you'd see a no-brainer future major league star. With a tall, lengthy and athletic frame Madden dropped easy high 90s fastballs and featured plus off-speed pitches, making him appear like a giant among boys in High School. This is the kind of pitcher you see all over the draft in bonus land right out of high school. On the surface he held all the cards with a great Agent in Tucker Ward, the high celing tools and being committed to the University of Alabama to land over-slot signing bonus.

However, as happens in this game, Madden was faced with the adversity of an elbow injury as a Senior in High School and opted for Tommy John surgery, effectively pushing his timeline draft timeline back a year. Rather than Alabama as a Freshman, Jake set out to be a true JUCO Bandit, heading to national powerhouse baseball factory at Northwest Florida State.

After excuciating rehab and tireless work, Jake showed up to NWFS healthy and did not disappoint. Madden showcased his mid-90s fastball, a plus slider and change-up to compliment it all. With a strong season under his belt, Jake was invited to all the MLB top prospect showcases and impressed enough to get himself drafted by the Anaheim Angels.

Madden signed and was immediately assigned to Inland Empire where he slotted into the rotation and climbed the prospect rankings all the way to 12th highest rated prospect in the system. This prospect clout comes with some uncertainty, especially in July when Major League baseball's trading deadline happens. Madden found himself as the headliner in a deadline deal that sent All Star CJ Cron and Randal Grichuk to the Angels and Jake headed to Colorado. Ironically, Madden's new team the Fresno Grizzlies were playing in IE that weekend so the move was as simple as changing clubhouses.

Upon joining the Colorado Rockies Madden showed up immediately on the Rockies' top 30 Prospects List at the 23rd spot.

It's been electric to partner with Jake while he's grown from a JUCO Bandit to a top prospect, and we're looking forward to the continued success.

Now let's take a look at Jake's glove set up:

MODEL: DR03, 12.50", RHT
CUSTOMIZATION: Slim Reaper Custom Logo; Finger Hood shifted to middle finger
WEB: Closed Web- Two-Piece