Mets Pick - 1.10 - RHP - Kumar Rocker

 

Kumar Rocker

 

RHP 6-5 255 Vanderbilt

 

2020 stat line:  3-Starts, 2-1, 1.80, 15-IP, 28-K 

😮 @KumarRocker 🔥 pic.twitter.com/izxKWIthdX

— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) July 12, 2021

.@CC_Sabathia breaks down the 10th overall pick and the newest member of the @Mets, @kumarrocker!#MLBDraft | #MLBTonight pic.twitter.com/9K7Dgu9ovH

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 12, 2021

5-6-21 - mlb - MLB Mock Draft

 

7. Royals: Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt

There’s no way the Royals thought Rocker would be available here when the spring season began, but they’d have to seriously consider him against whatever high school bats are available.

 

 

 

6-12-21 - CBS Sports - CBS Mock Draft

 

7  Royals

 

Pick: RHP Kumar Rocker, Vanderbilt ($5,432,400 slot value)

 

With Witt the notable exception, the Royals have been very pitching-heavy early in the last few drafts. They've been connected to Watson and fellow high school shortstop Brady House the last few weeks, but I have a hard time believing Rocker will fall any further than this. If nothing else, he's the most well-known player in the draft, and his pure upside may be the highest in the draft as well. With the No. 7 pick, you don't worry about organizational need, and you simply take the best player. That's Rocker.

 

 

 

6-12-21 - Baseball Prospect Journal- 2021 MLB Draft: Mock Draft 4.0

 

#7 - Kansas City Royals: Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt

Rocker was the top player in this year’s draft entering the spring. While his status is still high, he may not be a top-five pick. Scouts are concerned about his fastball potential and command. Despite the questions, he has more upside than his teammate Leiter.

 

 

 

5-28-21 - NCAA - Top College Players By Position -

 

STARTING PITCHERS:

 

RHP: Kumar Rocker, Vanderbilt — Most people will have Rocker's teammate Jack Leiter here, and deservedly so. When it comes to stats, the duo is pretty much inseparable:

 

Jack Leiter: 8-2, 2.12 ERA, 127 strikeouts in 76.1 innings, .128 batting average against (BAA)

 

Kumar Rocker: 11-2, 2.45 ERA, 129 strikeouts in 88 innings, .16 BAA

 

So, why Rocker over Leiter? If history repeats itself, which it tends to do, we are getting to the part of the year where Rocker is at his best. He has an ideal pitcher's frame, and while he's listed at 6'4 and 255 pounds, that may be an understatement as he looks larger than life in person. A dominating force on the mound, Rocker does have four pitches — although like Leiter, his change is seldom used — and simply overpowers with near-triple digit heat.

 

 

 

5-20-21 - mlb 

 

6. D-backs: Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt

 

The D-backs likely didn’t think they’d have the chance to get either Vandy pitcher here, and Rocker’s name is all over the top five, but it would be hard to pass up on his arm strength here.

 

 

 

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.