Kumar Rocker, a 24-year-old right-handed pitcher and the Texas Rangers’ 1st-round pick (3rd overall) in the 2022 draft, is set to make his Double-A debut with the Frisco RoughRiders.
Jeff Wilson was the first to report this but I can confirm as I have a source that confirmed that Rocker is indeed in Frisco and he’s been there since Tuesday.
He is scheduled to start the game on Friday. His longest outing in the ACL was 3 innings which happened to be his last start on July 19, 2024. I wouldn’t expect him to pitch more than 3-4 innings.
This promotion marks an exciting milestone in Rocker’s journey, coming back from Tommy John surgery. According to MLB Pipeline, Rocker is the Texas Rangers no. 3 ranked prospect, the highest ranked pitching prospect.
College and Early Professional Career
Rocker first gained national attention during his time at Vanderbilt University, where he showcased his pitching prowess. In the 2021 season, Rocker had a stellar record, going 14-4 with a 2.73 ERA, striking out 179 batters, and walking 39 over 122 innings pitched.
After being drafted by the New York Mets in the 1st round (10th overall) of the 2021 MLB June Amateur Draft, Rocker did not sign due to concerns over the health of his right arm. He then chose to showcase his talents with the Tri-City ValleyCats of the independent Frontier League rather than return to Vanderbilt.
In 2022, Rocker posted a 1-0 record with a 1.35 ERA, striking out 32 batters and walking 4 over 20 innings pitched.
Setbacks and Recovery
Rocker underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2023, indeed a blow. However, his recovery has been promising, and he has returned to the mound, rehabbing in Arizona with the ACL Rangers.
Kumar Rocker’s Recent Performances with the ACL Rangers
Rocker’s current stats with the ACL Rangers include a 0-1 win-loss record, a 6.43 ERA over 7 innings pitched, 8 strikeouts, a 1.71 WHIP, and 1 walk.
Rocker’s outings with the ACL Rangers have shown potential:
- July 5, 2024: Rocker pitched 2 innings, allowing 1 run on 2 hits, striking out 3, and inducing 2 groundouts.
- July 12, 2024: He pitched 2 innings, allowing 1 run on 2 hits, striking out 1, with 4 groundouts and 1 flyout.
- July 19, 2024: In a more challenging outing, Rocker pitched 3 innings, allowing 6 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits, walking 1, striking out 4, with 1 wild pitch, 1 groundout, and 2 flyouts. His fastball velocity was reported between 97-99 mph, topping out at 100 mph.
During his last outing, despite being hit around, Rocker’s defense didn’t help him much. He touched 100 mph on the radar gun and, importantly, showed decent command by walking only one batter over 3 innings of work.
Set to Continue Rehab with the Frisco RoughRiders
He will now be promoted to Double-A Frisco for the first time to continue his rehab assignment.
The Texas Rangers are eager to see their pitching development efforts come to fruition with Rocker. They need to develop their own home-grown star, and Rocker’s promotion to Double-A is a significant step in that direction.
Kumar Rocker’s Draft History
Rocker has an extensive draft history:
- Drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 38th round of the 2018 MLB June Amateur Draft from North Oconee High School (Bogart, GA).
- Drafted by the New York Mets in the 1st round (10th overall) of the 2021 MLB June Amateur Draft from Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN), though he did not sign.
- Drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 1st round (3rd overall) of the 2022 MLB June Amateur Draft.
The Rangers have high hopes for Rocker as he prepares to make his Double-A debut at Riders Field against the Tulsa Drillers (Dodgers).
With his impressive track record and promising recovery, Kumar Rocker is a player to watch as he continues his journey towards becoming a key figure in the Rangers’ pitching rotation.
Tyler Mahle may also be rehabbing in Frisco. Josh Jung was also supposed to be in Frisco but it seems he may be playing against the Blue Jays in the Rangers lineup. Either way, it’s going to be an exciting time at Riders Field.
Stay tuned for more updates on his progress and future performances.
