The Texas Rangers have executed a significant roster change, promoting top prospect Kumar Rocker as their new addition. The debut of the pitcher is scheduled for Thursday night, facing off against the Seattle Mariners. In a corresponding move, pitcher Chase Anderson was designated for assignment, as reported by MLB.com.
Having excelled for Vanderbilt during 2018-2021, Rocker boasted a 2.89 ERA across 47 games. Although drafted tenth overall by the Mets in 2021, they refrained from extending an offer due to injury concerns. Following this, Rocker showcased his skills in independent baseball within the Frontier League prior to the 2022 draft, where the Rangers selected him third overall. Since then, he has been a standout performer in the minors.
Rocker has participated in 16 games for the Rangers’ minor-league affiliates, maintaining a 2.78 ERA. He is aiming to secure a spot in the Rangers’ rotation for the coming year, which promises to be a formidable lineup. With Jacob deGrom returning from a UCL injury as their ace, alongside Jon Gray, Nathan Eovaldi, and Jack Flaherty, the rotation looks solid.
If Rocker can deliver a series of stellar performances before the season concludes, the Rangers may stand a better chance of recovering from their disappointing 2024 season. Despite clinching their first World Series victory the previous year, they are far from playoff contention with only 16 games remaining. Once their elimination is confirmed, they would become the first defending champions to miss the playoffs since the 2011 Giants – a team managed by Bruce Bochy, the current Rangers manager.
Rocker family set to attend Rangers versus Mariners match
The major league debut of Kumar Rocker is expected to be a touching moment for his family. After facing uncertainty following the Mets’ decision, he persevered and earned his place in the major leagues. His father, Tracy Rocker, is making a concerted effort to attend the game in Seattle ahead of Thursday, as per information from Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com.
Following today’s practice, “Titans DL coach Tracy Rocker plans to travel to Seattle to witness his son, former [Vanderbilt baseball] star Kumar Rocker, make his MLB debut tonight for the Rangers,” Wyatt shared on social media. “He will return overnight to attend Friday’s practice in Nashville.”
The gesture did not go unnoticed by Tracy Rocker’s players on the Titans, as they shared a video extending their best wishes to Kumar.
Max Scherzer and deGrom will take the mound after Rocker in the Rangers’ rotation. Watching two former Mets pitchers following the ex-Mets draft pick may be a challenging sight for their fans. Nevertheless, with the team currently in a playoff push and demonstrating their best form of the season, it will be a tough time for New York supporters to mock them while they battle the Braves, all while the Rangers play out the rest of their fixtures.
The Mariners present an excellent opportunity for a major league debut. Although they boast notable players like Julio Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena, they struggle offensively. Seattle holds the lowest team batting average in the league at .219, just a tad below the White Sox. Only time will tell what Kumar Rocker brings to his debut against the Mariners on Thursday night.
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