by | Sep 13, 2024 | FRONT STREET

Kumar Rocker pitched four innings of three-hit ball, surrendering one run and striking out seven Seattle Mariners batters in first career start.

‘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.

by | Sep 10, 2024 | FRONT STREET

Texas Rangers will be calling up Melanated Mound Marauder Kumar Rocker for his MLB debut on Thursday!

 

 

Texas Rangers Prospect Kumar Rocker Eyeing Mid-Summer Return To Mound Following Tommy John Surgery

Texas Rangers Prospect Kumar Rocker Eyeing Mid-Summer Return To Mound Following Tommy John Surgery

by | Apr 25, 2024 | THE THREE SPOT

Just five years ago, Texas Rangers prospect and former top-five pick Kumar Rocker was celebrating a College World Series win with his Vanderbilt Commodore teammates.

 

Rocker was the talk of the baseball world after pitching a no-hitter against Duke in the Super Regionals and allowing just two runs while striking out 17 in just over 12 innings pitched against Michigan in the CWS.

 

 

That type of play helped Rocker become the 10th overall pick of the New York Mets in the 2021 MLB Draft. Things with the Mets went up in smoke after the draft when the club expressed concern over Rocker’s elbow during a physical.

 

As a result, the Mets and Rocker ultimately decided not to continue their negotiations of a deal which also included a hefty $6 million signing bonus. That meant Rocker would be eligible to be drafted in the 2022 MLB Draft.

 

 

Rocker Goes No.3 To Rangers In 2022 MLB Draft

 

When you’re as talented as Rocker, teams will be chomping at the bit to draft you, and that’s exactly what happened the next year when the Texas Rangers made Rocker the No.3 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft.

 

Maybe the Rangers were onto something as the Rocker who despite his collegiate pedigree was a surprise pick by the Rangers at No.3 with his injury concerns. And the $5.3 million signing bonus he received was a bit under the $7.6 million allotted for that spot, but it showed that the Rangers believe Rocker has the “IT” factor.

 

In many ways, the Mets were correct to scale back the big signing bonus as test indicated there was definitely something wrong with Rocker’s arm.

 

Rocker’s injury last season which occurred after six solid starts in High-A (3.86 ERA, 42 strikeouts and just seven walks) in 28 total innings at the time was described as acute meaning he tore a ligament in his elbow on a specific pitch. In other words, he needed Tommy John Surgery.

 

Another Setback For Melanated Mound Marauder Kumar Rocker | Tommy John Surgery Will Push His Texas Rangers Debut To 2024

 

As Rucker continues to work his way back the talented hurler knows it’s a slight chance he’ll be back by mid-summer, but he won’t see his first full season of professional ball until 2025, when he’ll be 25-years-old.

 

 

Rocker In Last Stage Of Rehabilitation

 

The 6-foot-5 and 245 pounder is set to pick up his mound activity with the hope of returning to the diamond this summer. An excited Rangers assistant general manager Ross Fenstermaker recently told reporters at The Dallas News this about Rocker’s prognosis.

 

“We are really excited. It’s coming out so free and easy when the ball leaves his hand.”

 

Good news for the Rangers — the defending World Series champions — who can’t wait to team Rocker with his former Commodores teammate Jack Leiter, taken No.2 overall in the 2021 MLB Draft.