Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt. Despite having a higher ceiling than any other realistic target at #21 if they go the college route, Rocker is also likely closer to the major leagues than most other players in this draft. In his latest mock draft, Keith Law hypothesized that Rocker could see time on a major league mound in 2022. 3:59. (CBS Sports top 30 rank: Unranked), June 16 mock pick: RHP Blade Tidwell, Tennessee June 30 mock pick:OF Chase DeLauter, James Madison, Pick:SS Peyton Graham, Oklahoma ($2,620,400 slot value), A sluggish start to the spring had Graham on the outside of the first-round mix at one point, but by the end of the season he was back in first-round consideration because he does many things well. The Mariners' competitive window is just beginning to open as stars like Julio Rodriguez and Logan Gilbert reach the majors, so taking an advanced player would be in their best interest. The Associated Press contributed to this report. (CBS Sports top 30 rank: No. After not coming to terms with the Mets, Rockers future was uncertain after he announced he would not be returning to Nashville. 28. 2022 MLB Mock Draft: Orioles take Termarr Johnson at No. If things go wrong with his health down the line, you still get a potential lethal bullpen arm, and you rejuvenate a fan base that needs something to get excited about right now. The Rockies have been linked to a number of college bats at this pick, and Arizona catcher Daniel Susac could be a great fit for them at this spot. In Rockers final season at Vanderbilt, he was a unanimous All-American and finalist for the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Trophy. By Ryan Miller | May 9, 2022 | Share on Facebook (opens in a new tab) . 13. The media circus surrounding his negotiations with the Mets only heightened his profile. 4 overall, Tomase: Red Sox' thrilling wins vs. Yankees may have long-term benefits. Lesko was widely considered the best prep arm in the draft until he underwent Tommy John surgery this spring, but the ceiling remains incredibly lofty. College World Series gets underway in Omaha, Nebraska, and it'll be a hot start. If Jones is available, as he is in our mock draft, the Diamondbacks will take him. The perennial American League East cellar dwellers own the No. You could read a plethora of scouting reports on Rocker, talking about his professional athlete bloodline or about how his slider is one of the best pitches in the draft class, so I wont bore you with another one. (CBSSports.com). What Axisa said about Rocker: "Rocker in the big-league bullpen a few weeks after the draft a laChris Salein 2010 is a distinct possibility, regardless of whether he lands in San Diego or elsewhere." Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on Twitter @aria_gerson. 24. It is tough to gauge the stats in the Frontier League, although they have been impressive in his limited action. But it is never too early to look at the top prospects available in the draft, especially with the conclusion of the MLB regular season today. The 2021 MLB Draft was supposed to be a formality for former Vanderbilt baseball ace Kumar Rocker. Pittsburgh Pirates: Kumar Rocker, RHP, VanderbiltImmediately after 2020's draft, Kumar Rocker's name was atop everyone's list for the 2021 draft. 19. In addition, compensation picks were distributed for players who did not sign from the 2021 MLB Draft. 01:41. I didn't accidentally leave Tennessee reliever Ben Joyce or former Vanderbilt righty Kumar Rocker off this projection. 24. 17. 2022 MLB Mock Draft has Red Sox taking Kumar Rocker, ex-Vanderbilt star 2022 MLB Mock Draft has Red Sox taking Kumar Rocker, ex-Vanderbilt star 5 Darren Hartwell July 11,. Kumar Rocker : RHP: Vanderbilt : 6' 5" 250: 4 . (CBS Sports top 30 rank: No. Brandon Barriera is the best high-school pitcher left on the board, and would fit their mold of high-upside, young arms. 3 overall pick. It seems like the easiest call Jerry Dipoto will make this year if Kumar Rocker falls into Seattles lap. 1 overall, Prielipp had Tommy John surgery last May and recently began throwing showcases for scouts. Just about every pitcher with a chance to go in the first round has been connected to the Halos at one point or another. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) "My talent. Arent billionaires so cool and relatable? MORE: Humble Druw Jones looking more and more like father Andruw, 2. 16. -- @CaoChadTTV Rocker could quickly become a factor in earning one of those other rotation spots. Some footage from Kumar Rocker's outing today. 18. Despite only pitching three college seasons, Rocker opted not to return to Vanderbilt after going unsigned. He was selected by the New York Mets last year, but the two sides could not come to an agreement on a contract over concerns about his physical. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The problem is that the 21.4% K% doesn't really make us believe too vehemently in those numbers. PIT. 14. 2023 NFL Mock Draft 1 Chicago Bears DL Jalen Carter, Georgia. 5. 20. 23), June 16 mock pick:RHP Brock Porter, St. Mary's Prep (Michigan) June 30 mock pick:LHP Robby Snelling, McQueen HS (Nevada), Pick:SS Cole Young, North Allegheny HS (Pennsylvania) ($3,657,900 slot value), The Reds have extra picks at No. Instead, after being drafted 10th overall by the New York Mets, Rocker failed a physical and was not offered a contract, left with no recourse other than to re-enter the draft this year. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 5 min read 2022 MLB Mock Draft 2.0 As we stand on the precipice of what could be a very transformative offseason, it becomes obvious that this upcoming draft could be a lot. (CBS Sports top 30 rank: No. (The Athletic). 4. They'll take whoever they consider the best player and let him develop at his own pace. If things go right, Rocker is one of the most exciting young pitchers in baseball with borderline ace potential. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. 16 last year when Kahlil Watson slid down the board to them, and they could do that again with another middle-infielder sliding out of the top five. I think the hot spot is like 20 to 35, and hell probably go somewhere before pick 40 or 50, McDaniel said in a video posted to ESPN.com. Kumar Rocker, 96mph .I'm here. Kumar Rocker stats (2022): 1.80 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 32 strikeouts, 5.0 H/9 in 20 innings Rocker didn't return to Vanderbilt, instead preparing for the MLB Draft a year out. By Noah Wright. Could the Boston Red Sox gamble on a well-known, high-upside pitcher with their first-round pick in the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft? 1 pick for the third time in franchise history and the second time in three years. Draft Simulator. 15), June 16 mock pick: RHP Gabriel Hughes, Gonzaga June 30 mock pick: 2B Jace Jung, Texas Tech, Pick:3B Tucker Toman, Hammond HS (South Carolina) ($3,075,300 slot value), The Blue Jays are not afraid to take big swings in the first round (they selected projected top-10 pick Gunnar Hoglund with the No. To date, Rocker has made just three starts for the ValleyCats. VANDY BOYS IN THE MLB DRAFT:How well have the Commodores produced MLB Draft picks? PRODUCING MLB PLAYERS: Vanderbilt baseball recruiting: How well have the Commodores produced MLB Draft picks? It fits. Just Baseball's updated MLB mock draft after the first few months of the College baseball season. In the latest version of his MLB mock draft that was released on Tuesday, The Athletic 's Keith Law had the Phillies selecting former Vanderbilt right-hander Kumar Rocker with the 17th overall pick. Athletics Dylan Beavers, OF, California. With Kumar Rocker not getting signed by the Mets and reentering next year's MLB Draft, where would you rank him among [Draft] prospects heading into next year's [Draft]? Jim Callis talks Draft Combine. There was a time not long ago when Rocker was arguably the most popular player in college baseball and among those mentioned with regards to the No. The draft order is set in the reverse . A 6'5", 245-pound right-hander with prototypical power stuff, Kumar Rocker lights it up with a fastball that touches 99 mph, a wicked 70-grade slider and a plus curveball that keeps hitters from . 21. The . The 2022 MLB Mock Draft features stars such as Spencer Jones, Nate Savino, Bryce Osmond, Connor Prielipp, Hunter Barco and many more. Rays Robby Snelling, LHP, McQueen High (Reno, Nev.). Porter was the Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year. All rights reserved. (CBS Sports top 30 rank: Unranked), June 16 mock pick:LHP Cooper Hjerpe, Oregon State June 30 mock pick:LHP Carson Whisenhunt, East Carolina, Pick: LHP Cooper Hjerpe, Oregon State ($3,291,200 slot value) The Mariners have been tied to college hitters more than anything this spring, but the case can be made Hjerpe (pronounced "Jerpy") is the best healthy college pitcher in the draft class, and it doesn't make sense to pass on him to take a second-tier college bat. 1 prospect in baseball before the season. However, McDaniel said one of the biggest results of the shoulder injury was that those in the industry now believe he is more likely to wind up a reliever, which hurts his stock as durability was one of his hallmarks at Vanderbilt. Heres the Marinerss offseason, recapped, Kyle Lewis, Trevor Gott/The only stove that wasnt hot/We didnt start the fire, Your way-too-early-look at 2023 Mariners MLB Draft Targets, 2022 Mariners MLB Draft: Day 3 Draft Tracker, Seattle Mariners select RHP Ashton AJ Izzi in fourth round of 2022 MLB Draft, Seattle Mariners select Walter Ford with 74th pick in 2022 MLB Draft, Seattle Mariners select 1B/3B Tyler Locklear with 58th pick in 2022 MLB Draft. Jacob Berry could fall all the way to this pick and I think Colorado would pounce on him in that case. Law noted that, while there is the upside of a future second starter, Rockers potential as a quick riser, perhaps even reaching the majors this season, could be a selling point for the Phillies. Rocker looks no worse for wear with Tri-City, however: The 22-year-old owns a 1.35 ERA with 32 strikeouts over five starts for the ValleyCats and sat between 95 and 98 mph with his fastball in his first start, per Law. FILE - Vanderbilt pitcher Kumar Rocker, #80, throws during the first inning in Game 3 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals on June 30, 2021, in Omaha, Neb. ATTRITION RATE: Vanderbilt baseball recruiting: How much attrition is normal? . Mock Drafts Tool. I immediately place Rocker back on my list as the top RHP. 06:31. Take a look at The Sporting News' MLB mock draft. The next batch of future stars will hear their names called beginning on Sunday, July 17. Tigers . Baltimore tends to keep things very close to the vest and this year is no different. Elias says they've narrowed the list down to five players -- Cal Poly shortstop Brooks Lee, LSU slugger Jacob Berry, high school shortstop Jackson Holliday, and high school outfielders Druw Jones and Elijah Green are the most rumored names -- though there's been some smoke involving Johnson the last month or so. However, the recent signings of Eric Hosmer and Trey Mancini could delay his eventual debut. . 75 (compensation for losing Noah Syndergaard to free agency) and thus a very big bonus pool. pic.twitter.com/aVF2hv5eO7. (CBS Sports top 30 rank: No. The son of NFL tight end Eric Green has explosive power and speed, and has shown he can stick in center field. The thing is that, despite Kumar Rocker being older than most of the other players in this draft, he turns 23 in November, and he doesnt fit the mold of a typical college player that would be on the board at #21. White Sox Kumar Rocker, RHP, No school. Joe Doyle did a fantastic write-up leading up to last years draft. Termarr Johnson . The Yankees have been linked to several college hitters, and Sterlin Thompson would be one of the best college bats still left on the board. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. . 33, 42, and 67) and add multiple top talents to their farm system. 24 pick. Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. ESPNs Kiley McDaniel last week ranked Rocker as the No. (CBS Sports top 30 rank: No. 35 pick from the Royals for three prospects, Here are R.J. Anderson's top 30 draft prospects, Even with the news he had a shoulder cleanup procedure in September, The trade with the Royals earlier this week netted Atlanta an extra $2.2 million in bonus pool space, Report: Padres sign Rougned Odor to minor-league deal, 10 MLB positional battles ahead of Opening Day, How the Dodgers can replace Gavin Lux after injury, Fernando Tats Jr. returns to Padres lineup, Rhys Hoskins, Steven Kwan and more extension candidates, Padres, Manny Machado agree to 11-year, $350M deal, 2022 MLB Mock Draft: O's take HS bat at No. Jackson profiles as a true dynasty manager's dream, showing plus grades in contact . 3), June 16 mock pick:OF Elijah Green, IMG Academy (Florida) June 30 mock pick:Green, Pick:3B Cam Collier, Chipola JC (Florida) ($7,002,100 slot value), The Pirates have been connected to Collier, the son of former big leaguer Lou Collier, throughout the spring and the rumors have grown louder in recent weeks. The Mets have been connected to Williams all spring and putting him here is just me playing the odds. "They were serious about him last year until Marcelo Mayer fell into their laps at pick No. "I mean, maybe it's a million dollars or something like that less, but I think there's a ceiling there where somebody could just buy in and fall in love. I say most because Kumar Rocker is the clearest exception to the rule in recent memory. The Mets get the first one after failing to sign Kumar Rocker last season. Kumar Rocker's one-year wait to get another chance to join a MLB franchise is almost over. But any kind of shoulder issue, even a supposed minor one, is far more cause for concern than Tommy John surgery or another elbow issue. Prospects Live Staff. Prielipp missed all of the 2022 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2021, but the stuff he has shown when he's pitched is among the most electric in the college class. 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