7/11/21

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 




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.

9 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

How the mighty have fallen…to the Mets?

Eddie from Corona said...

Mack please tell me your happy with this pick

Mack Ade said...

Eddie has the hiccups.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?????

TexasGusCC said...

I woke up from my Sunday nap (later than usual but just as gratifying) and wanted to watch the ticker on ESPN to see who the Mets got and the order. I understood the Pirates pick, but then as the names were put up, I couldn’t believe it. When I saw the ninth pick, I said they better not pass him up! They didn’t! I can’t believe it. I put him at #3 right now behind our Futures stars participants and I want two more good pitchers tomorrow.

Niiiiiiiiiiiiice start to the draft.

John From Albany said...

Agree Gus. I was surprised Ty Madden went at 32. Many thought he might go to the Mets at #10 at one point.

Hate the competitive balance picks. Especially when the small market teams don't draft the top players because they don't want to pay them.

Zozo said...

JFA it worked in our favor this year!!! Woo Hoo you gotta live the pick

John From Albany said...

Very true Zozo. I will take it.

Anonymous said...

KUMAR, KUMAR, KUMAR!

Could be one of the best Mets' draft selections ever!

KUMAR Rocker

Saw him pitch already at Vandy. My advice is this. This kid is the real deal. He could "conceivably" be ready for here in three MiLB games. Not kidding. He's that good. Has everything it takes to excel in bigs. Born to pitch MLB. Could be worth a shot. Would eliminate the need to add in here another top end starter from outside. But I still might get a really good, top level AAA starter from another team anyway, just in case. Perhaps a lefty starter type like MacKenzie Gore from the Padres for instance. The Pods might consider doing that because their five man rotation is already set without Gore rigth now. Then the Mets would have that special lefty starter kid in the pipeline with Kumar Rocker and Tylor Megill both righties. This would be the next generation a team always wants to be developing now.

So where was Tylor Megill all this weekend?

Why did he not start a game?

What's up with that?

Tylor Megill, the 25 year old NY Mets starting pitcher is excellent. The whole idea right now should be to win games, cushion the lead over Philly and Atlanta. Tyler should be a big part of that. Just get him the innings he needs to get full developed at this level.

Mets are batting better overall the last four games or so. BNimmo is "on fire" and did you all see that gorgeous outfield wall catch? Not surprised here.

This endless wasted JD Davis "baloney banter" is ridiculous. JD's hitting just under .400 BA at Syracuse and with homeruns in tally, and looks pretty darn close to returning to me. J. Villar holds the fort at third until then.

This Pirates Adam Frazier guy can hit for averahe but has almost no power game to him. And he's in his "over 30 years old" walk season and looking to extend his career with his best stats year ever right now. Adam's a second baseman really, and we have how many second baseman here already? How many do we actually need? And Carlos Cortes getting ready in MiLB.

What I would do is stick with Jeff McNeil at second base.

Be patient because he had a lat muscle strain recently and them things can bark time to time. Jeff has added serious upper body strength this off season as well. His whole style of hitting is he can both hit for power, and place the ball anywhere on the field. Best I have seen in quite sometime really. Stick with the man. Perhaps get him some games in right or left field as well, when Dom or Michael need a restage, since outfield is Jeff's original position.

Brandon Nimmo CF All Star

Taijuan Walker SP All Star

Jake deGrom SP Perennial All Star

Francisco Lindor SS All Star

Pete Alonso 1B All Star

Edwin Diaz RP All Star

Aaron Loup RP All Star

More to come!

Let's Go Mets!!

You need to add in another left handed starter!!!!! Soon!!!!!







Anonymous said...

Tylor did start a game.

Did well over 3.5 innings.

Stretch him out second half.

Imagine for a moment having both Tylor Megill and Kumar Rocker in your rotation and doing really well come playoff time.

What's another big advantage to this?

Normally the League does not know them so well yet. Ditto if the Mets could land a AAA left starter from another team.

1. deGrom 2. Walker 3. Carrasco 4. Megill 5. KRock

Maybe something like SP Stroman and someone else to the Pods for M. Gore? Mets need a top end lefty starter in the making here.