‘He’s Really Built To Handle Adversity In A Very High Capacity’ | Texas Rangers Prospect Kumar Rocker To Make MLB Debut Just 16 Months After Tommy John Surgery

‘He’s Really Built To Handle Adversity In A Very High Capacity’ | Texas Rangers Prospect Kumar Rocker To Make MLB Debut Just 16 Months After Tommy John Surgery

by | Sep 12, 2024 | THE LEAD OFF

Not too long ago, Texas Rangers pitcher Kumar Rocker was considered a can’t miss prospect.

That was in 2019 when he tossed a 19-strikeout, no-hitter against the Duke Blue Devils as a member of the Vanderbilt Commodores. That outing came in an elimination game of the NCAA Super Regionals. Rocker then one-upped himself by winning two games in the College World Series to lead Vandy to the 2019 CWS national championship. For his efforts he was named Most Outstanding Player.

From that point on Rocker was in many ways considered one of the two top pitching prospects, along with teammate Jack Leiter, (the top pick in the 2021 MLB Draft). In that same draft Rocker was taken 10th overall, but because of his arm issues the New York Mets opted against signing him and suffered their share of criticism.

Rocker re-entered the draft in 2022 and was taken No.3 overall by the Rangers.

 

 

Another Man’s Trash Is Another’s Man Treasure

Just over 16 months ago Rocker blew out his elbow. Because of that unfortunate circumstance there were major questions about Rocker following Tommy John Surgery. Upon his return to both Double-A and Triple-A Rocker has been his usual overpowering self. In just over 29 2/3 combined innings Rocker fanned 47 while allowing just 17 base runners, three runs and a paltry 0.91 ERA. Rocker’s grit and perseverance is something that ultimately helped the Rangers to make a decision on drafting him.

 

 

“He’s been dealt some challenging circumstances with things that were out of is control, Rangers assistant GM Ross Fenstermaker recently told reporters. “But I think the biggest takeaway the Rock is he’s just so strong-willed and determined to achieve what he wants to achieve. He’s really built to handle adversity in a very high capacity. It’s impressive what he does and how he goes about it.”

 

Rocker Has The Stuff Of An Ace

 

When this Melanated Mound Marauder is right, he’s got the stuff that managers and pitching coaches look for in an ace. The two pitches the burly 6-foot-5 and 245-pound hurler rely on most is a blessed high-end fastball (97-98 MPH) and slider, Rocker has also added a very solid change-up to his repertoire of pitches. That pitch tops off in the low-90s with some fade.

With the Rangers playoff hopes very slim, bringing Rocker up for his first start in mid-September is more about next year. That’s when team brass in expecting the talented MLBbro to be a part of a rotation that also features Jacob DeGrom, Cody Bradford, Jon Gray and Tyler Mable.

And while all of them bring different things to the mound, none of them have the talent that Rocker does.

He was ready to cook in 2023 and spoke to MLBbro.com reporter Malik Wright about it in a “Live On Tape At The Ballpark” segment.

 

Tonight, we finally get to see the healthy version of Rocker for the first time on an MLB mound. That’s a scary thought, with the same high expectations he had a few years back.