“He Looked Really Good” | 2022 MLB Draft No.3 Overall Pick Kumar Rocker Finally In His Safe Haven

“He Looked Really Good” | 2022 MLB Draft No.3 Overall Pick Kumar Rocker Finally In His Safe Haven

by | Oct 18, 2022 | THE THREE SPOT

The last two years have been a whirlwind for Rangers No.8 prospect and the 2022 MLB Draft No.3 overall pick Kumar Rocker.

The former Vanderbilt Commodores star became the first pitcher to toss a no-hitter in the Super Regional round of the 2019 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament. He also would go onto win both of his starts in the College World Series, being named MOP of the tourney.

In many aspects he was either the No.1 or No.2 pitching prospect along with teammate Jack Leiter.

 After being selected No.10 overall by the New York Mets in the 2021 MLB Draft, Rocker should have been on top of the world, about to take the Big Apple by storm and join an already talented pitching staff.

 

 

 The Mets did a complete about face and Mets decided against signing Rocker due to uncertainty about his health. Shoulder concerns put Rocker under the knife in September 2021, and it’s been a long rehab back. It didn’t take long for Rocker to move off the board in the 2022 MLB Draft.

The talented bro was selected No. 3 overall by the Texas Rangers, who are elated to bring a rare talent such as Rocker into its pitching-strapped organization. 

Rocker Makes MLB Debut In Arizona Fall League: Taking It Slow

Rocker took the mound in the AFL on October 4th. While the burly, power-pitching phenom didn’t have the command and control he’s used to having, he still showed that bulldog grit he displayed during his illustrious college career.

The velocity on Rocker’s pitches were there and the command will come.

Rangers/ Saguaros catcher Cody Freeman was thoroughly impressed with Rocker, and he raved about his what he has in his arsenal.

“He looked really good. He was around the zone a little bit, but he got back in there and pounded it. He’s going to be something special.”

“He’s a strike thrower and he has some nasty stuff, as you could tell.”

Rocker has ace abilities and the Rangers are hoping he could one day be that for their staff.

 

 

 Rocker Showed More Improvement In Second Start

 After a promising first start, Rocker was even better in his second AFL appearance. This time tossing two innings, instead of one, Rocker was more locked in and the extra inning allowed him more opportunities to test out some of his other pitches.

He struck out two batters and walked two, the walks are all a product of rust, as he just missed the third called strike on one of the walks. His fastball hovered around 94-96 MPH and maxed out at 97.

This outing he dabbled with his change-up and his best pitch, which is his slider. The pitch he overwhelmed hitters with in the CWS and made MLB scouts salivate.  

Following his performance Rocker told reporters this ….

“I was just in the zone more. The changeup was good, the slider was good. The fastball, I’m still getting the timing for that just to get everything synched up.”

Rocker says he has no expectations for his performance in the AFL. The MLBbro is just happy to be back on the mound. His minor setbacks have definitely given him an even deeper appreciation for the sport that’s provided him with so much opportunity.

“I’ve got no expectations for (the AFL). I just want to have a good time and keep winning ballgames with this team.”

Rocker is expected to take the mound four more times in the AFL, and his usage is also expected to ramp up a little more each time out.

Exclusive Interview | Taylor Hearn’s Season Has Been One To Grown On

Exclusive Interview | Taylor Hearn’s Season Has Been One To Grown On

by | Sep 3, 2021 | THE TWO HOLE

Malik Wright made a trip to Globe Life Field in Arlington to interview Swiss-Army knife pitcher Taylor Hearn. The third-year hurler has shown great versatility and maturity with his approach to pitching.

This is the first year that Hearn has pitched more than 17.1 innings.  In 77.1 innings of work he has 77 K’s and a respectable ERA of 3.96. Sky is the limit for this MLBbro.

 

Marcus Stroman Has Been Mr. Consistent For The Mets This Season

Marcus Stroman Has Been Mr. Consistent For The Mets This Season

by | Sep 1, 2021 | THE LEAD OFF

Marcus Stroman has worked his butt off this season. While his record may not show it, he has put the New York Mets in position to win games all season.

Stroman has been the model of consistency for the Mets. 

 

 

The Mets had big expectations coming into the season, but the season has certainly not gone the way the team envisioned. But Stroman has left it all on the field every time he has touched that mound. The Black Knight has been the ace of the staff in Jacob deGrom’s absence and he recently had another impressive start against one of the top teams in the league. 

On August 22nd, the Mets took on the reigning World Series champions. Stroman was ready for that action and he let everyone know tthat despite his team’s collapse, he’s still on track and about his business. Stoman hurled six innings, striking out six while giving up two earned runs to secure the victory over the Dodgers. 

Let’s be real here, the Dodgers can flat out hit, but Stroman kept the Mets in a good position to win the game and that’s what they did. Stroman put together another solid performance five days prior to playing the Dodgers. That game was against another top team in the San Francisco Giants.

The Mets lost that game by one run but Stroman was solid that night. He went seven innings giving up three runs and striking out nine. 

 

 

“He’s been outstanding for us,” manager Luis Rojas told the New York Post about Stroman. “He’s pitched like an ace. … He’s been very valuable and he’s been one of the guys to keep us afloat.”

 

 

The Mets have dealt with injuries throughout the season and players have been put in a situation to step up. 

And Stroman has been doing just that.

When he steps on that field, he brings that swag and confidence that you don’t see much of in the game of baseball.

“Just mix, man,” Stroman said on his outing against the Dodgers. “Just being really aggressive. … I thought I had a really great mix.”

Stroman got the support he needed from his team against the Dodgers and he was pleased to see that. 

“It gives me more confidence, just gives me another level to kind of go-to,” Stroman said. “That was awesome to see.”

But that has not always been the case when Stroman is on the mound. On the season he has a 9-12 record with a 2.85 ERA through 18 starts.

 

 

Looking at those numbers, you’ll notice that he has a losing record, but he has a solid ERA. This season, Stroman just hasn’t got that run support on a consistent basis.

There’s no question that Stroman can pitch. The brother is very talented and each pitch he throws is effective.Stroman will be a free-agent after this season and if the Mets don’t re-sign him, teams will be knocking on that door to acquire him.

Our MLBbro is in his seventh season and he’s brought that excitement to the game over the last few years.

He can certainly make an impact on any team he plays for. 

FRONT STREET

FRONT STREET

by | Aug 19, 2021 | FRONT STREET

St. Louis Cardinals ace Jack Flaherty took the mound in search of his 10th win and had a solid outing on Wednesday. Black Jack pitched 6 innings, yielded two runs and K’d 8 in a hard luck no-decision against the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers.