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Kumar Rocker has promising first start for Tri-City ValleyCats

By David Hill

Jun 30, 2021; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores pitcher Kumar Rocker (80) pitches in the fourth inning against the Mississippi St. Bulldogs at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 30, 2021; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores pitcher Kumar Rocker (80) pitches in the fourth inning against the Mississippi St. Bulldogs at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kumar Rocker may be one of the biggest wild cards in the 2022 MLB Draft. The former Vanderbilt star had been selected with the tenth overall selection by the Mets in the draft last year, only not to sign after there were questions about his health due to his medicals. As Rocker stated that he was not returning to college, there were questions about what he would be doing prior to the draft.

Some of those questions were answered when he announced that he was signing with the Tri-City ValleyCats in the Frontier League. Rocker would get approximately a month to prove himself all over again before the upcoming draft in what could be a more competitive environment than college.

Kumar Rocker may be improving draft stock

Rocker made his much anticipated debut on Saturday. He lasted for four innings, striking out six while allowing two runs on three hits. After holding Trois-Rivieres Aigles scoreless over the first three innings, he began to tire, allowing a two run homer to former Braves farmhand Carlos Martinez.

However, the outing could be considered an overall positive for Rocker. His fastball sat between 95 and 97 MPH, reaching as high as 99 MPH on the radar gun. His slider showed plenty of life and was in the mid to upper 80s. It was as strong an outing as could have been hoped for.

Right now, Rocker is regarded as the 39th best prospect for the upcoming draft by MLB.com. Their most recent mock draft does not have him being selected in the first round at all, a disappointing development for a player who had been looking at a $6 million signing bonus before the Mets backed away.

Rocker has a prime chance to improve his draft stock. Several of the top pitching prospects have battled injuries this season, opening the door for a player to rocket up draft boards. As Rocker does have three pitches that are considered to be plus offerings, he could do just that if he continues to pitch well for the ValleyCats. It would not be a surprise to see him work his way back into the first round.

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Kumar Rocker had an impressive first outing for the Tri-City ValleyCats. It was the type of showing he needed as he establishes his draft stock.

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