Intrigue around top prospect Tyler Kolek recalls legend of Colt Griffin

Colt Griffin slid on a Royals jersey after being drafted ninth overall in 2001 but he never wore one in the majors.

Ed Zurga/AP

It began on a 42-degree night in Natchitoches, La.. Scouts in attendance had gone to watch the opposing pitcher and left in awe of Griffin's mid-90s heat.

Tyler Kolek, possessor of a 100-mph fastball, is expected to be one of the top picks in this week's MLB draft.

Mike Janes/Four Seam Images/AP

Hunter Atkins is a freelancer based in New York City who has written for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, ESPN The Magazine and Rolling Stone. Follow him on Twitter.