Kumar Rocker’s journey from college baseball’s most eclectic freshman to his MLB debut ended up being more eventful than anyone wanted, but the end result Thursday looked very impressive.
The No. 3 pick in the 2022 MLB draft (and the No. 10 pick in the 2021 draft) struck out seven for Texas Rangers allowing three hits, two walks and an earned run in four innings of work in a 5-4 win over Seattle Mariners on Thursday. Heats in the upper 90s and several wipeout throws were on display.
He also went down in history as First MLB player of Indian descent.
On a scale of 20 to 80, Rocker’s slider, which he scored a 70 on in MLB pipeline, was undoubtedly his most impressive move. According to Baseball Savant, Rocker threw 33 sliders in his 74 pitches and generated 13 strikeouts in 21 swings.
That’s it tied for the eighth most swings and misses on a slider in a game this season which, again, Rocker managed in just four innings. No player has thrown 10 sliders in fewer than 78 pitches all season.
It’s a loud debut for a player with plenty of background.
Kumar Rocker’s road to the MLB was a bumpy one
Rocker looked like a potential No. 1 overall pick in 2019, when he earned Vanderbilt’s College World Series Most Outstanding Player honor. That was after a 19-inning no-hitter against Duke in the Super Regional round.
Rocker’s stuff was enticing, but concerns about a dip in velocity his junior year, long-term durability concerns and questions about the depth of his arsenal led to a drop to Mets 10th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft. Then the Mets withdrew the $6 million upper offer after reviewing his medicals, which were not available prior to the draft.
Prior to the 2022 MLB Draft, Rocker signed with the independent Tri-City ValleyCats after working out independently instead of going back to Vanderbilt. The Rangers surprisingly selected him third overall and received a $5.2 million signing bonus .
The Mets quietly received validation in May 2023 when it was disclosed that Rocker was going to have Tommy John Surgery.
New York used its comp for the failure to sign Rocker in Georgia Tech’s Kevin Parada, a first baseman currently hitting .209 in Double-A.
Rocker made a quick comeback to Tommy John standards, returning to the mound in July and quickly moving up the Rangers’ organizational chart until the team announced that he is bound for the big leagues. Many people have been waiting years to see Rocker play in the MLB, and his first game was a good sign that the wait (and turbulence) will be worth it.