Kumar Rocker

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Kumar Rocker
Rocker with the Vanderbilt Commodores
Texas Rangers – No. 80
Pitcher
Born: (1999-11-22) November 22, 1999 (age 25)
Watkinsville, Georgia, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 12, 2024, for the Texas Rangers
MLB statistics
(through March 31, 2025)
Win–loss record0–3
Earned run average6.75
Strikeouts17
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
U-18 Baseball World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2017 Thunder Bay Team

Kumar Rocker (born November 22, 1999) is an American professional

2022 MLB draft
. He signed with the Rangers and made his MLB debut in 2024.

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+2⁄3 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

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.

Tommy John surgery, ending his season.[25]

On September 12, 2024, the Rangers selected Rocker's contract and promoted him for his major league debut that night against the Seattle Mariners.[26]

Rocker made the Rangers' Opening Day roster out of spring training in 2025.[27]

Personal life

His father,

University of Maryland and his father was playing for the Washington Redskins.[31]

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". 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 (June 28, 2019). "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. ^ a b 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. May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  25. ^ "Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Will undergo Tommy John surgery". cbssports.com. May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  26. ^ Grant, Evan (September 9, 2024). "Kumar Rocker will make major league debut for Texas Rangers against Seattle". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  27. ^ "Jack Leiter, Kumar Rocker to fill out Rangers' starting rotation". ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 25, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  28. ^ "Rocker officially signs with Vanderbilt". Oconeeenterprise.com. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  29. ^ Sparks, Adam. "Kumar Rocker leads preseason No. 1 Vanderbilt in bid for repeat title at College World Series". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  30. ^ "Eagles add former Auburn star as defensive line coach". nbcsports.com. January 24, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  31. ^ 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.
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