Mack's spin -
It's amazing what can happen in a couple of weeks. Both Rocker and his teammate, Jack Leiter, show they are human, and two other top righties, Jaden Hill and Gunnar Hoglund, go under the knife for TJS.
The draft is still very deep on pitching and, in my opinion, Rocker trumps Leiter as the top gun.
Still, I can't rank him above the three top, consistent, bats I ranked before him.
RHP 6-5 255 Vanderbilt
2020 stat line: 3-Starts, 2-1, 1.80, 15-IP, 28-K
5-6-21 - MLB - 5-6 Mock Draft-
4. Red Sox: Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt
Rocker's velocity dipped into the low 90s for three weeks early in the season but the Draft's most physical pitcher has performed consistently well and outperformed Leiter.
4-29-21 - Baseball Prospect Report mock 3.0 -
3. Detroit Tigers: Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt
If Leiter and Lawlar go with the first two picks, the Tigers will have their choice between Rocker, Mayer or someone else they value highly. Right now, this pick likely comes down to Rocker or Mayer. While Mayer has enhanced his value this spring, Rocker also has had an outstanding season, minus some inconsistencies with his velocity. Rocker was the top prospect before the season started and has ace potential.
4-26-21 - mlb.com mock draft -
3) Tigers: Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt
After scuffling very briefly, Rocker has gone back to dominating the SEC, and it’s fun imagining him joining Mize, Skubal, Manning et al.
4-22-21 - pipeline podcast mock -
4) Red Sox (Mayo): Kumar Rocker, Vanderbilt -- No way I was going to let Rocker go further than this, not with that ridiculous fastball-slider combination that comes from his intimidating 6-foot-5 frame.
4-19-21 - TTF - Mock 2.0 -
Pittsburgh Pirates: Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt
Immediately after 2020’s draft, Kumar Rocker’s name was atop everyone’s list for the 2021 draft. The hulking build is impressive, yes, and he knows how to use it to maximize his throws, but to me what’s most impressive is that his command has improved since he was first drafted a couple years back. He’s not a magician or even a technical pitcher. He’s a work horse. The one concern is if he will only rely on his velocity to get batters out. Because, if so, he’ll be on a fast track to the bullpen rather than a starting role. If I were him, I’d study what CC Sabathia did in his 19 years in baseball. The two are an easy comparison. It might be the key to Rocker’s longevity.
4-2-21 - Through The Fence -
Pittsburgh Pirates: Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt
Immediately after 2020’s draft, Kumar Rocker’s name was atop everyone’s list for the 2021 draft. The hulking build is impressive, yes, and he knows how to use it to maximize his throws, but to me what’s most impressive is that his command has improved since he was first drafted a couple years back. He’s not a magician or even a technical pitcher. He’s a work horse. The one concern is if he will only rely on his velocity to get batters out. Because, if so, he’ll be on a fast track to the bullpen rather than a starting role. If I were him, I’d study what CC Sabathia did in his 19 years in baseball. The two are an easy comparison. It might be the key to Rocker’s longevity.
3-30-21 - Prospects Worldwide -
3. RHP Kumar Rocker | School: Vanderbilt | B / T: R / R | Ht: 6’4 | Wt: 255 | Age: 21.6
Ever since he stepped foot on Vanderbilt’s campus, Kumar Rocker has been in discussion for the top spot of the 2021 Class. A strong, workhorse type (6’4 255lbs) with a bulldog mentality, capable of working 200+ IP per season. Despite that size, he works with an athletic delivery. Rocker has used his Fastball/Slider combo over 90% of the time, and for good reason. Pounding the zone with his mid-90s Plus Fastball with 2300 RPM. The best pitch he brings to the table (and on the shortlist for best pitches in the draft) is a true wipeout, knee-buckling Double-plus Curveball with vertical depth that has picked up an outstanding amount of swing and miss and hitters walking back to the dugout in disgust. Kumar has been working on a new Cutter this season and could advance his arsenal that much more as he starts to work it in, as well as more usage of the Changeup which flashes Above-average potential, although has been seldom used.
2-22-21 - First Round Arms -
Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt (No. 1)
4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 K (67 pitches)
Rocker’s debut start of the 2021 season got delayed repeatedly last weekend due to inclement weather. Eventually, Rocker and the Vandy Boys got their series going against Wright State on Monday afternoon, with the No. 1 prospect in the 2021 class showing all the stuff that has had scouts intrigued since his prep days.
Rocker showcased a mid-90s fastball and a biting slider that generated whiffs throughout his four-inning outing and the two-pitch combination is loud enough to get whiffs inside and outside of the strike zone. He got six whiffs on his fastball and five on his slider in this outing, and also added whiffs with a newly developed cutter and a changeup that dove out of his hand with solid tumbling action.
2-19-21 - Top 10 SEC Prospects -
1. Kumar Rocker, Vanderbilt, P
There’s not a ton to learn about Rocker’s on-field game. We know he’s huge (6-4, 255 pounds), he throws hard (98 mph or so), he threw a no-hitter in the 2019 NCAA Tournament, he’s the son of former Auburn and NFL standout Tracy Rocker and he’s been projected as a can’t-miss star since he arrived in Nashville. But the guy ranked as the nation’s top prospect for 2021 does have an interesting back story. His name is Indian — but so is Rocker’s mother, Lalitha, whose parents came to America in 1965. Rocker’s mother chose the Indian first name “to honor her Indian roots and as a reminder that [Kumar] comes from two cultures.” Kumar did follow his dad’s footsteps in playing 2 years of high school football. Guess we’re lucky he didn’t choose cricket.
2-15-21 - CBS - Top 50 -
4. Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt
Rocker established himself as a household name (or as close to one as a college baseball player can get, anyway) during the 2019 super regionals, when he struck out 19 batters in a no-hitter against Duke. Since (and even before) then he's been considered a candidate to go near the top of this draft. Rocker has some tantalizing qualities. His fastball sits in the mid-90s, and his slider is one of the most aesthetically pleasing chase pitches in the class. He already possesses big-league physicality, with a height-weight combination (6-foot-5, 245 pounds) that resembles those of Lance Lynn and Brad Keller. The downside to him already looking the part is that teams have concern about his long-term body maintenance. There are other, more pressing considerations to navigate here as well. Despite the raw velocity and improving metrics, his fastball's results have underwhelmed dating back to his high-school days. Some scouts have concerns that his slider won't be an effective in-zone pitch for him at the big-league level because of its movement patterns. There's also the matter of his mechanics: a high back elbow and an oft-late arm rob him of precision and could contribute to additional wear and tear on his joints. Some of this criticism is a product of Rocker's celebrity; some of it is genuine worry that teams have to balance. He's still all but certain to go early on, but don't be surprised if he's the second or the third college pitcher to come off the board.
2-5-21 - SEC preview -
Pitcher of the Year: Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt.
Rocker lived up to the hype as a freshman in 2019, helping lead the Commodores to the national championship and being named Freshman of the Year and College World Series Most Outstanding Player along the way. He was again excellent in 2020, going 2-1, 1.80 with 28 strikeouts in 15 innings. Now, the hype train is rolling again as Rocker enters the 2021 season as the top-ranked player in the draft class. He’s sure to be appointment viewing this spring.
1-26-21 - BA -
1. Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt
Areas To Improve: changeup development, prove health, sharpen command, maintain body, start full season
In 2019 and 2020 the top prospects in the draft (Adley Rutschman and Spencer Torkelson) had virtually no holes in their game to speak of and limited areas to improve. That is not the case this year, though Rocker is the most big league-ready player in the class. Still, let’s get into the weeds of his profile. Rocker has shown an above-average changeup in the past, but scouts want to see it improved this spring and like many college pitchers he doesn’t use it frequently, instead opting for his fastball or slider. After missing a start last spring scouts will want to see him fully healthy and starting over the full season. He could also stand to sharpen his command and be more precise with his pitch location. Lastly, as a big-bodied pitcher he’ll need to maintain his body and physique.
1-20-21 - D1 Baseball's top 100 College Prospects -
1 Kumar Rocker RHP P Vanderbilt SEC
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