Rangers Assign Kumar Rocker to First Minors Team

Kumar Rocker will begin his first full professional season in the Texas Rangers organization at High Class-A Hickory.

The Rangers announced the full minor-league assignments for their four affiliates — Triple-A Round Rock, Double-A Frisco, Hickory and Low Class-A Down East.

Rocker’s assignment was anticipated, since he hadn’t pitched in the organization yet and the Rangers’ 2021 first-round pick, former Vanderbilt teammate Jack Leiter, started his minor-league career at Frisco.

Rocker was the Rangers’ first-round pick in July (No. 3 overall) and didn’t play in the system after his selection. He did play in the Arizona Fall League and helped the Surprise Saguaros win the AFL title. He was also named an AFL All-Star.

In the AFL, Rocker went 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA in six starts, throwing 14 innings and giving up 12 hits with seven runs (all earned). He walked 12 and struck out 18.

Rocker was the New York Mets’ first-round pick in 2021, but he went unsigned after the club was uncertain about his medicals. He later had an arm surgery that was characterized as minor by agent Scott Boras. That left Rocker to train for any professional opportunity he could get.

He ended up in professional baseball with Tri-City in the Frontier League. He went 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA in five starts. He pitched 20 innings, gave up 11 hits, four runs (three earned), two home runs and four walks. He struck out 32 and had a .750 WHIP.

That led up to the Rangers selecting Rocker last year.

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