The third time actually does appear to be the attraction for Kumar Rocker after being chosen because the third general choose within the 2022 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers.
Rocker was beforehand drafted out of highschool within the thirty eighth spherical in 2018 by the Colorado Rockies and out of Vanderbilt College within the 1st spherical (tenth general) by the New York Mets final yr however didn’t signal both time.
The Mets finally determined to not supply him a contract citing medical issues.
These medical issues have been by no means totally acknowledged or understood – each Rocker’s agent, Scott Boras, and Vanderbilt coach, Tim Corbin, denied that there have been any medical issues surrounding the right-handed pitcher who compiled a 28-10 file with a 2.89 ERA general in his three seasons with Vanderbilt.
Nonetheless, Rocker did have minor shoulder surgical procedure this previous off season.
Rocker’s agent, Scott Boras, advised ESPN that, “We have now a really clear understanding, after a minor scope, of Kumar’s medically documented well being, which has allowed him to carry out on the highest ranges.” Boras advised ESPN that the surgical procedure didn’t contain Rocker’s rotator cuff or labrum.
Rocker’s crew knowledgeable MLB golf equipment of the process previous to this yr’s MLB Draft.
As an alternative of returning to Vanderbilt for his senior season, Rocker elected to play skilled baseball with the Tri-Metropolis ValleyCats within the Frontier League.
Rocker had 5 begins with the ValleyCats and ended his stint with a 1-0 file and a 1.35 ERA over 20 innings.
Whereas with the ValleyCats, he constructed up from 40 to a excessive of 69 pitches over his 5 begins. In his final begin, Rocker threw about 12 pitches at 98 mph and confirmed command of his secondary pitches. “We simply wanted for example he was Kumar being Kumar and that’s form of what the aim of being with the ‘Cats was and he completed all that” stated Boras.
After his remaining begin with the ValleyCats, Rocker mirrored a bit on indy ball: “That is the purpose the place gamers make a distinction,” Rocker stated. “That is the blokes who keep within the recreation a very long time. There’s loads of baseball-for-lifers right here and it’s particular to be round these guys within the locker room and issues like that.”
In accordance with Jon Heyman of the New York Put up, The Texas Rangers and Kumar Rocker have agreed to phrases on a $5.2MM deal, which is properly under slot worth however nonetheless $460,000+ greater than final yr’s No. 10 slot with the Mets final yr.