Kumar Rocker

Last updated

Kumar Rocker
Kumar Rocker.jpg
Texas Rangers
Pitcher
Born: (1999-11-22) November 22, 1999 (age 24)
Watkinsville, Georgia, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Men's baseball
Representing Flag of the United States.svg  United States
U-18 Baseball World Cup
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2017 Thunder Bay Team

Kumar Rocker (born November 22, 1999) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Texas Rangers organization. He played college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores. He was selected with the 10th pick in the 2021 Major League Baseball draft by the New York Mets but was not signed. He was selected the following year by the Texas Rangers with the third overall pick.

Contents

Amateur career

Rocker attended North Oconee High School in Bogart, Georgia. As a junior in 2017, he had a 1.63 earned run average (ERA) with 68 strikeouts in 55+23 innings. [1] That year, he played in the Under Armour All-America Baseball Game and Perfect Game All-American Classic. [2] Later in the summer, he played for the USA Baseball 18U National Team. [3]

Rocker committed to Vanderbilt University to play college baseball. [4] [5] He was considered one of the top prospects for the 2018 Major League Baseball draft, [6] [7] but was not selected until the 38th round by the Colorado Rockies, [8] falling due to signability concerns. He did not sign with the Rockies and enrolled at Vanderbilt. [9]

On June 8, 2019, Rocker became the first pitcher ever to throw a no-hitter in the Super Regional round during the NCAA Division I baseball tournament. He recorded 19 strikeouts as Vanderbilt beat Duke 3–0. [10] Rocker was named the 2019 College World Series Most Outstanding Player after Vanderbilt captured the 2019 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship on June 26, 2019. Rocker won both his starts in the College World Series and finished his freshman season with a 12–5 record. He was also named the 2019 Baseball America Freshman of the Year. [11]

The New York Mets selected Rocker with the 10th pick in the first round of the 2021 MLB draft. Rocker and the Mets had verbally agreed on a $6 million signing bonus, $1.4 million above the slot value for the 10th pick, but the Mets decided not to make him an offer after reviewing his medical information. [12] Rocker had not participated in a program that would have made his medical information available pre-draft; this allowed the Mets not to make him an offer and receive a compensatory selection in the 2022 MLB draft. [13] Rocker's agent, Scott Boras, stated that Rocker "requires no medical attention." [13] However, Rocker had surgery on his shoulder in September. [14] Rocker did not return to Vanderbilt after going unsigned. [15]

Professional career

Tri-City ValleyCats

In advance of the 2022 MLB draft, on May 13, 2022, Rocker signed with the Tri-City ValleyCats of the Frontier League. [16] Prior to the draft, Rocker had a 1.35 ERA with 32 strikeouts and four walks in 20 innings pitched for Tri-City, reaching 99 miles per hour (159 km/h) with his fastball. [17]

Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers selected Rocker in the first round, with the third overall selection, reuniting him with his former Vanderbilt teammate Jack Leiter. [18] On July 26, 2022, Rocker signed with Texas for a $5.2 million signing bonus. [19] Rocker did not appear in a game after signing, instead working out at the Rangers’ spring training facility. [20] Following the 2022 season, Rocker played for the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League. [21] Over 6 games in the AFL, Rocker went 2–1 with a 4.50 ERA and 18 strikeouts over 14 innings. [22]

Rocker received a non-roster invitation to major league spring training in 2023. [23] He made 6 starts for the High-A Hickory Crawdads, posting a 2-2 record and 3.86 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 28.0 innings pitched. [24] On May 16, 2023, it was announced that Rocker would require Tommy John surgery, ending his season. [25]

Personal life

His father, Tracy Rocker, played in the National Football League (NFL), [26] is a College Football Hall of Famer [27] from Auburn University, and is the defensive line coach for the Tennessee Titans. [28] His maternal grandparents immigrated to the United States from Andhra Pradesh, India. His parents met when his mother, Lalitha, was a student at the University of Maryland and his father was playing for the Washington Redskins. [29]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Minor (baseball)</span> American baseball player (born 1987)

Michael David Minor is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, and Cincinnati Reds. Minor played college baseball at Vanderbilt University and was selected by the Braves with the seventh overall pick in the 2009 MLB draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Robertson (baseball)</span> American baseball player (born 1985)

David Alan Robertson, nicknamed "D-Rob", is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and Miami Marlins.

Below is a partial list of minor league baseball players in the Chicago White Sox organizations and rosters of their affiliates:

Below is a partial list of Minor League Baseball players in the Los Angeles Angels system.

Below are select minor league players and the rosters of the minor league affiliates of the Texas Rangers:

Below are some of the minor-league baseball players in the New York Mets organization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonny Gray</span> American baseball player (born 1989)

Sonny Douglas Gray is an American professional baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, and Minnesota Twins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Beede</span> American baseball player (born 1993)

Tyler Joseph Beede is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Cleveland Guardians organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carson Fulmer</span> American baseball player (born 1993)

Carson Springer Fulmer is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles, and Cincinnati Reds. He played college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores. He was drafted by the White Sox in the first round of the 2015 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut in 2016.

Below is a partial list of players in the St. Louis Cardinals minor league organization and rosters of their minor league affiliates. Players individually listed here have not yet played in Major League Baseball (MLB), but have reached an advanced level of achievement or notoriety. Some notable players in the minor leagues may have their own profile pages, such as first-round draft picks. Note that anyone with a past MLB appearance has their own profile page, even if they are currently playing in the minor leagues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dillon Tate</span> American baseball player (born 1994)

Dillon Michael Tate is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The Texas Rangers selected Tate in the first round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft and traded him to the New York Yankees during the 2016 season. He was traded to the Orioles close to the 2018 trade deadline. He made his MLB debut in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donny Everett</span> American baseball player (1997–2016)

Donald Edward Everett was an American baseball pitcher. He attended Vanderbilt University, where he played college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores. He was considered one of the top prospects for the 2015 Major League Baseball draft. Everett drowned during his freshman season at Vanderbilt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Braxton Garrett</span> American baseball player (born 1997)

Braxton L. Garrett is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Marlins selected him with the seventh overall selection of the 2016 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cole Ragans</span> American baseball player (born 1997)

Cole Gatlin Ragans is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Texas Rangers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Wright (baseball)</span> American baseball player (born 1995)

Kyle Hardy Wright is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Atlanta Braves. He played college baseball at Vanderbilt University. He was selected by the Braves with the fifth overall selection of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft, and made his MLB debut in 2018.

Jack Thomas Leiter is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores and was selected by the Rangers with the second overall pick of the 2021 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Selman</span> American baseball player (born 1990)

Samuel Ayres Selman is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels and Oakland Athletics. He played college baseball at Vanderbilt University. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the second round of the 2012 MLB draft.

William Penn Murfee is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Seattle Mariners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Solomon (baseball)</span> American baseball player (born 1996)

Peter Joseph Solomon is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Texas Rangers organization. He played college baseball at the University of Notre Dame. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Dylan Joseph Lesko is an American baseball pitcher in the San Diego Padres organization.

References

  1. Carter, Ivan (August 14, 2017). "Perfect Game participants get taste of majors". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  2. Sanchez, Jesse (January 15, 2018). "Big prospect soaks up wisdom at Dream Series". Mlb.com. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  3. "Rocker's summer full of travel, World Cup". Oconeeenterprise.com. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  4. Matthew Caldwell (November 8, 2017). "North Oconee's Kumar Rocker signs with Vanderbilt to play baseball". Onlineathens.com. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  5. "ALL-USA Watch: Top baseball prospect Kumar Rocker still weighing decision to go pro or go to Vanderbilt". Usatodayhss.com. May 1, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  6. "MLB.com 2018 Prospect Watch | MLB.com". M.mlb.com. May 24, 2013. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  7. "AOTW: Rocker pitching and hitting to help guide Titans to playoffs". Oconeeenterprise.com. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  8. "MLB Draft Tracker". MLB.com. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  9. Newman, Kyle (July 9, 2021). "Rockies have glaring needs at starting pitcher, shortstop entering 2021 MLB Draft". Denverpost.com. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  10. "Vanderbilt freshman Kumar Rocker pitches first no-hitter in NCAA Super Regional history". The Tennessean. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  11. Cahill, Teddy. "Kumar Rocker Named 2019 College Baseball Freshman Of The Year". www.baseballamerica.com. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  12. Passan, Jeff; McDaniel, Kiley (August 1, 2021). "Mets don't sign top pick Rocker before deadline". ESPN.com.
  13. 1 2 DiComo, Anthony (August 1, 2021). "Mets opt not to sign No. 10 pick Rocker". MLB.com. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  14. "How Rocker shoulder surgery impacts his Draft status". MLB.com.
  15. "Kumar Rocker does not sign with Mets before deadline, not returning to Vanderbilt". The Tennessean .
  16. Franco, Anthony (May 13, 2022). "Kumar Rocker Signs With Frontier League's Tri-City ValleyCats". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  17. "99 mph Fastball" . Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  18. "Rangers pick fireballer Rocker at No. 3 overall". MLB.com.
  19. Grant, Evan (July 26, 2022). "Texas Rangers announce signing of first-round selection Kumar Rocker". The Dallas Morning News . Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  20. Buchanan, Zach (October 4, 2022). "A year in the wilderness behind him, Kumar Rocker is finally ready to speak with his arm". The Athletic . Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  21. Pontes, Geoff (October 3, 2022). "Previewing 2022 Arizona Fall League Pitchers To Watch". Baseball America . Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  22. Callis, Jim (November 17, 2022). "Top 30 prospects from 2022 Fall League". MLB.com . Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  23. Postins, Matthew (January 28, 2023). "Rangers Invite Top Prospects to Spring Training". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  24. "Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Back on track at High-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  25. "Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Will undergo Tommy John surgery". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  26. "Rocker officially signs with Vanderbilt". Oconeeenterprise.com. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  27. Sparks, Adam. "Kumar Rocker leads preseason No. 1 Vanderbilt in bid for repeat title at College World Series". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  28. "Eagles add former Auburn star as defensive line coach". nbcsports.com. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  29. Sparks, Adam (June 8, 2019). "Vanderbilt baseball: Why Kumar Rocker listened to mom, chose Commodores over big MLB payday". The Tennessean . Retrieved June 9, 2019.