Kumar Rocker 2022 MLB mock draft roundup: Where will former Vanderbilt baseball star go?
Kumar Rocker's one-year wait to get another chance to join a MLB franchise is almost over.
The former Vanderbilt baseball star pitcher is again eligible to be drafted in Sunday's MLB Draft, with many mock drafts slotting him into the second half of the first round.
Rocker was selected 10th overall by the New York Mets in the 2021 draft but was not signed by the team after concerns about the health of his throwing arm. He was pitching this summer in the Independent Frontier League, and his performance was good enough to push him into contention to become a first round pick — again.
So how high could Rocker go? Let's take a look at some recent mock drafts.
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Philadelphia Phillies, No. 17 overall —Keith Law, The Athletic
What Law said about Rocker: "He has No. 2 starter upside, if healthy, but the risk associated with his medicals may make him a better bet for some team’s second pick." (The Athletic)
The fit: Zack Wheeler (two more seasons) and Aaron Nola (three more seasons) are locked up through 2024. Rocker could quickly become a factor in earning one of those other rotation spots. If Rocker's camp is open to having the former Commodores pitcher fast-tracked to the majors, there are few contending teams in need of bullpen help more than Philadelphia.
Tampa Bay Rays, No. 29 overall — Jonathan Mayo, MLB.com
What Mayo said about Rocker: "Rocker is still the Draft's biggest wild card because of his injury history, but I could see a team hoping to contend this year (Padres, Phillies, Giants, other possibilities) rolling the dice on the 22-year-old and getting him up to the big leagues in September or October as a multiple-inning leverage type of reliever." (MLB.com)
The fit: The Rays have a young MLB pitching staff, which means opportunity. Rocker would enter an organization that includes former top picks Brendan McKay, Shane Baz (acquired via trade from Pittsburgh) and Shane McClanahan, and budding top prospect Taj Bradley.
Boston Red Sox, No. 24 overall — Kiley McDaniel, ESPN.com
What McDaniel said about Rocker: "It seems like Rocker's range starts around 13 and ends around 40, with bigger budget contending-type teams mentioned almost exclusively." (ESPN.com)
The fit: Like the rest of these teams, the Red Sox are in contention for a playoff spot and could use Rocker in the bullpen. Long term, the Red Sox are paying a lot of money to pitchers who have been injured throughout 2022. Boston has Chris Sale and Garrett Whitlock signed through 2024, and Nick Pivetta under club control for three more seasons. So opportunities would be there for Rocker in the future, but it wouldn't be a make-or-break for the Red Sox.
San Diego Padres, No. 15 overall — Mike Axisa, CBSSports.com
What Axisa said about Rocker: "Rocker in the big-league bullpen a few weeks after the draft a la Chris Sale in 2010 is a distinct possibility, regardless of whether he lands in San Diego or elsewhere." (CBSSports.com)
The fit: In MLB.com's top 30 prospect lists by team, the Padres have just two pitchers in their top 30. Rocker would be San Diego's best young pitching prospect.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Kumar Rocker 2022 MLB mock draft roundup: Where will ex-Vanderbilt star go?
