Rays’ top pitching prospect pumps 102.1 mph(!!) heat in latest relief outing

Brody Hopkins struck out his second consecutive batter Wednesday night, and as the ball was tossed around the infield, he stalked behind the mound and let out a roar. What came next was pure gasoline: 101.5 mph foul. 101.2 mph foul. 102.1 mph groundout. The final pitch of the evening for the Rays’ No. 7 prospect in Triple-A Durham’s 10-2 win over Nashville at Durham Bulls Athletic Park marked his hardest-thrown offering at the level. Just 19 big league pitchers and nine other Triple-A hurlers have reached the elusive 102 mph mark this year. Entering the night, Hopkins had tossed…