Scouting Report - Mack Pick 1.1 - RHP - Kumar Rocker

 

Mack's spin and pick at 1.1 - 

There is no doubt that Rocker won't be the first pick in this draft.

There is no one at any position remotely more talented than this kid.

And... he's projected to spend less than two years in the minors.

Bet on it. He's #1.

Kumar Rocker

 

RHP 6-5 255 Vanderbilt 

 

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

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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 

 

1-20-21 - prospect live -

 

#1

Pittsburgh Pirates

Kumar Rocker

RHP, Vanderbilt

 

At this stage in the game, the Vanderbilt Commodore celebrity hurler has done nothing to suggest he's not worthy of being the no. 1 pick in the draft. Rocker has a great starter body with proven durability and has showcased his ability to go extremely deep into ball games. Rocker deploys a plus fastball that could ultimately be double-plus at the next level. He compliments the heater with an excellent slider and a changeup that's really taken strides during his two years on campus. Fastball command will be key if Rocker is to ultimately hold down the top spot next July. He's already a professional on and off the field. At this point it's just about the polish. 

 

1-14-21  -  Baseball America

 

Kumar Rocker

 

Vanderbilt RHP

 

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 255 | B-T: R-R

Commit/Drafted: Rockies 2018 (38)

Age At Draft: 21.6

 

In a 2021 college class filled with uncertainty, Rocker is the top prospect of the group thanks to his combination of stuff, physicality and track record. The highest-ranked prep prospect of a loaded 2018 high school pitching class to make it to campus, no one has ever questioned the 6-foot-4, 255-pound righty’s raw stuff. He is regularly in the mid 90s with his fastball and can touch the upper 90s when he wants more, with a power breaking ball and tumbling changeup that both have plus potential. Additionally, Rocker has logged 114.2 innings with Vanderbilt—all in a starting role—and has posted a 3.06 ERA with 11.1 strikeouts per nine and just 2.3 walks per nine. His 11-strikeout game against Michigan in the 2019 College World Series made him one of college baseball’s most prominent names, and he should be one of the first names called in the draft next summer. 

 

1-5-21 - PG - College Pre Season All Americans -

 

Starting Pitcher - Kumar Rocker, Vanderbilt

 

Possibly the most famous college prospect in terms of notoriety, Rocker’s story is well-known as he bypassed the MLB Draft in favor of suiting up for Tim Corbin and the Commodores. He’s the current favorite to go 1:1 in July’s draft and there’s good reason for it. Rocker’s a massive and physical righthanded pitcher who routinely works into the upper-90s and is one of the sports most accomplished pitchers. He pounds the zone and has a power slider, along with a changeup, that give him numerous ways to attack a lineup. There’s not much more to say other than to buckle up as Rocker’s season could be one of the better from a statistical standpoint in recent memory.

  

1-4-21 - Baseball News -

 

The first team All-Americans include Collegiate Baseball’s projected 2021 National Player Of The Year in RHP Kumar Rocker of Vanderbilt. The 6-foot-6, 255-pounder could easily be the first pick in the 2021 MLB Draft next June.

 

Last season, he posted a 2-1 record, 1.80 ERA and struck out 28 batters in only 15 innings before the COVID-19 pandemic halted play.

 

The year prior, Rocker struck out 114 batters with 21 walks over 22 games as a freshman. During a regional game against Duke, he struck out 19 batters and tossed Vanderbilt’s first no-hitter since 1971.

 

12-26-20  -  Baseball Prospect Journal Mock Draft 1.0 - 

 

1. Pittsburgh Pirates: Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt

 

Rocker will enter the spring season as the favorite to go first overall to the Pirates in July. The right-hander had a notable freshman season, which included winning the College World Series Most Outstanding Player award, and was off to another strong year last spring until the pandemic caused college baseball to seize play.

 

Rocker has the makeup, size and intangibles to thrive as a starting pitcher at the major-league level. He has a low-effort delivery and a four-pitch repertoire that’s headlined by his mid-90s fastball.

  

12-23-20 - MLB - College prospects that wre High School prospects -

 

 Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt

 

2021: No. 1 | 2018: No. 23

 

Then: "Rocker usually pitches at 92-96 mph with his fastball and can reach 98, showing hard sink on occasion and generally commanding it well ... Rocker generates power with a quick arm and little effort, something that's also evident when he snaps off a wipeout slider in the mid-80s."

 

Now: Rocker's scouting report reads very similar to how it did three years ago, when he flashed first-round talent but dropped to the Rockies in the 38th round. He's still a physical 250-pounder with a high-octane fastball and slider who's seeking more consistency with his changeup and control. 

 

12-25-20 - https://medium.com/minor-league-madhouse/2021-mlb-mock-draft-3

 

Pittsburgh Pirates

 

Though there has been some uncertainty as of12-25-20 - late, Kumar Rocker is the de-facto 1–1 pick for the Pirates thanks to an impressive freshman campaign with Vanderbilt capped off with the College World Series Most Outstanding player. Rocker’s floor is a 2–3 pitch 4th starter, but his build, athletic pedigree, and wipeout slider, which carried his 19 strikeout Super Regional no-hitter make him more of a high potential developmental 1–1 pick. His positioning in the draft is all contingent upon his junior season, as he finds himself competing with the likes of Jordan Lawlar and his college teammate Jack Leiter for the top spot, among others.

 

 

12-18-20 - Future Sox Mock Draft -

 

2. Texas Rangers: Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt

 

The Rangers are right in Lawler’s backyard and he could be the pick if Pittsburgh goes a different direction but Rocker is the favorite to be the first college player off the board. The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder was tremendous as a freshman for the Commodores in 2019, but he’ll need to be even more consistent next season. Rocker is a physical and overpowering right-hander with a plus fastball and plus-plus slider at its best.

 

 

12-15-20 - Jim Callis's Top 10  -

 

1. Pirates: Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt

 

Rocker would join David Price (2007) and Dansby Swanson (2015) to give Vanderbilt three No. 1 overall picks, second in Draft history behind only Arizona State's four. His fastball and slider can be wipeout pitches, though he still can polish his changeup, command and delivery. 

 

12-6-20  -  college baseball info -

 

3. Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt: A 6-04, 255-pound man-child, Rocker has been on scouts’ radar since his early high school days. As impressive as Rocker’s mid-90’s fastball is, it’s his high-80’s slider and its gyro-like qualities that have scouts excited.

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