The Colorado Rockies have released 21-year-old pitching prospect Albert Campos, according to Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus. Goldstein began his tweeted report with a "wow" before noting that the Venezuelan pitcher was once considered to be an intriguing high-upside prospect.
Campos never played for a Rockies affiliate in 2012, but he made 15 starts for Single-A Asheville in 2011. Over 86 innings, he posted a 5.19 ERA with 64 strikeouts and 19 walks, but more importantly scouts began to sour on him after his breakout performance in 2010.
After posting a 2.05 ERA in 15 starts for the Casper Ghosts in the Pioneer League, Campos was rated as the best pitching prospect in the entire league by Baseball America in 2010. He was ranked ahead of prospects like Cincinnati's Daniel Corcino and Chicago's Addison Reed.
Basically, Campos was considered a very good prospect going into the 2011 season, and now the Rockies have released him early in the 2012 season. It'll be interesting to see why this happened and how the young Venezuelan's career will play out from here.
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row. Head over to MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the majors.