The Texas Rangers have promoted several notable prospects for their MLB debuts in 2024, including Wyatt Langford and Jack Leiter. Both Langford (2023) and Leiter (2021) were first-round picks, and now their 2022 first-rounder will get his first taste of Major League action. Kumar Rocker, the former Vanderbilt ace and third-overall pick, will make his MLB debut for the Rangers on September 12 after he breezed through the Minors.
A Look at Rocker
The Rangers landed Kumar Rocker with the third overall pick in 2022 MLB Draft, the third time the 24-year-old was drafted. Rocker didn’t sign as a 38th-round pick out of high school in 2018, then went 10th overall to the Mets after a standout college career at Vanderbilt. Rocker helped the Commodores win the 2019 NCAA title, then struck out 179 over 122 frames in 2021. However, the Mets didn’t sign Rocker in 2021 after post-draft concerns regarding his elbow.
After a stint in independent ball, the Rangers picked Rocker a year later. Rocker wouldn’t pitch in the Rangers organization in 2022, then underwent Tommy John in 2023. He returned to game action in July 2023 and quickly rose to Triple-A. Across three levels (R, AA, AAA), Rocker struck out 55 over 36.2 IP and walked just five. Opposing batters hit just .180 off Rocker.
Rocker has more of a traditional delivery with his hands over his head. The 24-year-old is incredibly strong and will fire at the plate with great effectiveness. His fastball sat in the high-90s with Round Rock (AAA) and touched 100 MPH. Rocker will pair that with a nasty slider that sat in the mid-80s. It’s a devastating pitch with depth and just runs away from right-handed hitters, as seen below.
How effective was his slider at Triple-A? Out of the 31 swings he induced with it at Round Rock, 23 of them were whiffs.
Both his four-seamer and slider project as plus pitches. Rocker will also utilize a two-seamer, along with a changeup. His changeup was used less than 10% of the time with the Express.
Given his experience at the collegiate level and stuff, Rocker was one of the most polished pitchers in the 2021 and 2022 MLB Drafts. He projects to be at least a #2 starter, with ace upside. Now, the Rangers will get to see what he can do at the MLB level when he makes his debut on September 12.
Analysis
The promotion ends a two-year wait for Rocker. He left college in 2021 as one of the most polished pitchers not in affiliated baseball and Rocker’s flashed that as a Minor Leaguer. The statistical results from Rocker between now and the end of the season won’t matter too much but he can make a significant, early play for a spot on the 2025 Rangers.
Texas is getting Jacob deGrom back on September 12, and deGrom is poised to be the team’s ace assuming he’s healthy. The Rangers have Jon Gray, Nathan Eovaldi (technically, as he has a $20MM vested player option), and Tyler Mahle under contract for next season, while Cody Bradford and Jack Leiter — his Vandy teammate, who made his MLB debut this season, as well — are among the back-end options. Right now, Bradford looks to be the best option, as Leiter’s struggled with command over his brief MLB career. However, Rocker can quickly change that.
If Rocker can prove his stuff and mechanics are MLB-ready — and by all counts, they are — the 24-year-old should be a candidate for next season. And, he’ll get a somewhat favorable matchup in his debut against a Mariners team that’s hit the doldrums offensively. Seattle ranked 25th in runs scored as of September 11.
Fantasy Outlook
Fantasy players have been excited to pick up Rocker. In Yahoo! leagues, Rocker has been claimed in 22% of leagues, and expect that number to rise. The issue with Rocker, though, is that his innings have been heavily restricted this season. He’s only thrown five or more innings in two starts this season (both in Triple-A). Both those outings came within the last two weeks.
Don’t expect him to go long in games and he’s far from a sure bet to net wins. However, his elite stuff means an opportunity for plenty of strikeouts, which might be worth it for those who need Ks over the next few weeks.