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Reunion of college teammates could set up Rangers for 2025 postseason return
The Texas Rangers' 2024 season may be winding down, but the excitement is only heating up for their fans.
Kumar Rocker, the team's top pitching prospect, will make his highly anticipated MLB debut Thursday in Seattle, reuniting with former Vanderbilt teammate Jack Leiter.
On Thursday, we Rock. pic.twitter.com/DmTSivC4Hi
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) September 9, 2024
Selected 10th overall by the Mets in the 2021 MLB Draft, Rocker had a history of medical concerns that led to New York passing on signing him.
Undeterred, Rocker took an unusual route, signing with the independent Tri-City ValleyCats and maintaining his draft eligibility. His comeback story gained new life when the Rangers stunned the baseball world by picking him third overall in 2022.
However, his debut was delayed yet again when he needed Tommy John surgery, shelving him until July of this season.
But since returning to action, Rocker has dominated. In seven starts split between Double-A and Triple-A, he has a microscopic 0.91 ERA and held hitters to a .128 average. Rocker has a blazing fastball (98.7 mph average) and his command is sharper than ever (47 strikeouts to just three walks).
Eight more K's for Kumar Rocker at Triple-A
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 7, 2024
The @Rangers' No. 2 prospect has racked up 18 punchouts, while allowing just 4 hits over his first two starts for the @RRExpress. @MLBDevelops | @VandyBoys | @TEXPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/w26WihbA6B
Rocker’s debut is pivotal for the reigning World Series champion Rangers, who are 70-74 heading into Tuesday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. FanGraphs gives Texas just a 0.7 percent chance to make the playoffs, but Rocker’s presence gives the Rangers hope that this season could be a one-year blip.
With veteran pitchers Max Scherzer, Andrew Heaney and potentially Nathan Eovaldi set to enter free agency, the Rangers will need a fresh arm to boost their rotation. Rocker fits the bill.
Thursday's start in Seattle will mark just Rocker’s 17th appearance since being drafted. The immediate spotlight will be on his performance, but Rangers fans should focus on the big picture.
As Rangers GM Chris Young told Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, “He’s earned the opportunity... the ability to get major league experience will serve him well for next season.”
Adding to the excitement is Rocker’s reunion with Leiter, another top Rangers right-handed pitching prospect. The Vandy Boys, once collegiate superstars, have the chance to be a fabulous duo in the majors.
It’s not just a nice storyline — it’s a glimpse of the future for the Rangers, who are positioning themselves for a serious run in 2025.
As Texas looks to rebound next season, Rocker’s emergence could be the spark that ignites a turnaround. With electric stuff, sharp command and the hunger to prove himself, he is a name to watch for Thursday and beyond.
More must-reads:
- The 25 best Canadian MLB players
- Brewers place All-Star righty Jacob Misiorowski on 15-day injured list
- The 'Final at-bat from the World Series' quiz
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White Sox release former All-Star pitcher
The White Sox have released right-handers Noah Syndergaard and Penn Murfee. Syndergaard’s release was announced on Sunday, while Murfee’s MLB.com profile page indicates he was let go on Friday. Syndergaard signed a minor league deal with Chicago in late June, which marked his first contract with any team since he was released by the Guardians in August 2023. Despite some interest from teams during the 2023-24 offseason, Syndergaard ended up not pitching anywhere in 2024, so the Sox started him off with some rookie ball outings just to get acclimated back to game action before reporting to Triple-A Charlotte. Syndergaard had a 2.93 ERA over his 15 1/3 frames of Rookie League work, but then was hit hard for a 10.13 ERA over two outings and eight innings at the Triple-A level. The ugly numbers in Charlotte included only two strikeouts and a rather incredible five homers allowed. While eight innings is obviously a small sample size, it was enough for the White Sox to decide to move on from Syndergaard, putting the former All-Star at yet another career crossroads. Syndergaard turns 33 later this month, and it is fair to wonder if retirement could be a possibility. Despite his past pedigree, the amount of time it took for him to land even a minor league contract could indicate that evaluators simply doubt he can ever regain any of his past effectiveness. A frontline member of the Mets’ pitching staff during his prime years, Syndergaard has never really recovered from a Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for virtually all of the 2020-21 season. He pitched decently well in posting a 3.94 ERA over 134 2/3 innings for the Angels and Phillies in 2022, but rather than approach his old form or at least settle in at a mid-rotation arm, Syndergaard regressed in the form of a 6.50 ERA in 88 2/3 frames with the Dodgers and Guardians in 2023. Murfee is another pitcher whose career was interrupted by a major arm injury. After posting a 2.70 ERA for the Mariners in his first 83 1/3 career big league innings, he underwent UCL surgery in June 2023, and some elbow discomfort kept him from making his return late in the 2024 season as a member of the Astros. The White Sox claimed Murfee off waivers from Houston last November, marking the fourth time in a 13-month period that the right-hander had changed teams on the waiver wire. Murfee made his return to the Show in the form of 12 2/3 innings of 7.82 ball for the White Sox earlier this season. Chicago outrighted the hurler to Triple-A in early May, and while Murfee had a respectable 4.09 ERA over 22 innings for Charlotte, he has recorded more walks (18) than strikeouts (16).
Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love’s ‘Fiery’ Response to Wife’s Take on Franchise’s Timeless Tradition
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25-time Grammy winner's sports agency blasts Jerry Jones for 'comical' comment
The Dallas Cowboys may have 99 problems, and the way owner Jerry Jones handles contract negotiations could be considered a big one. Jones spoke with the media Saturday regarding Micah Parsons' contract situation. The EDGE, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, has requested a trade. The 82-year-old owner clarified the Cowboys have no plans to trade Parsons. While discussing negotiations, Jones took an unprovoked jab at former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant and his agent, rapper Jay-Z. "When we have a problem within the team and a player, I don't ever find the agent. He's nowhere to be found," Jones said. "...Jay-Z and I negotiated [Bryant's contract in 2015], spent hours. He said, 'Anybody in my organization is on time.' He said, 'My office used to be on the street corner, and I've always been early. So, they will be on time.' And I said, 'Where do I sign? But I'm going to call you.' Finally, he quit taking my call." The 25-time Grammy winner's sports agency, Roc Nation, took issue with Jones' comment. In a statement released on X Sunday, it denied his claim, calling it "comical." This is yet another example of Jones prioritizing attention when he should be focused on extending two-time first-team All-Pro Parsons. The Cowboys often delay deals for their stars. The team signed Bryant to a five-year, $70M deal in July 2015, just before the deadline to extend players with a franchise tag. Last season, Dallas signed quarterback Dak Prescott to a four-year, $240M contract ahead of its season opener against the Cleveland Browns. The team's procrastination often leaves it paying even more for star players and wastes valuable time. Parsons is still with the team at training camp in Oxnard, Calif., but isn't participating. He likely wants a contract that's similar to that of Pittsburgh Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt (three years, $123M). The pass-rusher is the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. Jones' methods are one reason the Cowboys haven't won a Super Bowl since the 1995 season. Jay-Z should mention that if he wants to write a single that includes a lyric about the owner.
Braves star injured in Speedway Classic at Bristol
In a season full of hard luck for the Atlanta Braves, Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Reds brought more. Star third baseman Austin Riley exited the Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway after tagging out Elly De La Cruz at home plate and saving a run in the bottom of the first inning. Riley fielded a ball that was smoked to third base off the bat of Miguel Andujar and chased Cruz down at the plate to keep Cincinnati's lead at one run. The next time Riley came up in the batting order, however, it was 28-year-old Luke Williams who stepped into the batter's box. The official reason given for Riley's departure from the contest was lower abdominal pain. Riley struck out in his lone plate appearance on Sunday. Riley, 28, is hitting .260 for Atlanta in 415 at-bats this season. He's hit 16 home runs with a .309 on-base percentage in 101 games. Riley strained an abdominal muscle on July 11 in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals, which led to the Memphis, Tenn., native being on the injured list until July 25. Atlanta is hoping that the pain he suffered on Sunday doesn't lead to a long-term injury.
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