7 days agoTexas Rangers starting pitching prospect
Kumar Rocker has earned a role in the starting rotation. Rocker was competing for a spot during camp. During spring training, the Vanderbilt product tossed nine innings and held a 13.00 ERA with a 2.33 WHIP. However, over his final start, Rocker turned the corner as he tallied eight punchouts across four 2/3 innings of two-run ball. Fellow top prospect
Jack Leiter also earned a spot in the rotation with
Cody Bradford (elbow) and
Jon Gray (wrist) sidelined. Rocker made his brief MLB debut last summer and held a 3.86 ERA with a 1.54 WHIP across 11 2/3 innings. In the minor leagues, Rocker posted a strong 1.96 ERA and a stellar 0.79 WHIP across 36 2/3 cumulative innings across Double and Triple-A. Given his prospect pedigree and success in the upper levels of the minor leagues, Rocker is worth adding in all 12-team formats as a high-upside starting pitcher.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Evan Grant
2 weeks agoTexas Rangers pitching prospect
Kumar Rocker tossed 4 2/3 innings on Thursday, allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out eight in the 7-4 Cactus League loss to the Rockies. It was a step in the right direction after the 6-foot-5 hurler had given up 11 earned runs in 4 2/3 innings pitched while striking out just four batters over his first three starts. The former first-rounder threw 47 of 76 pitches for strikes and also recorded 12 whiffs and averaged 97.2 mph on his four-seamer. The final rotation spot is a competition between Rocker and
Jack Leiter. While Thursday's start helps Rocker's case, Leiter likely has the inside track with a better performance this spring and more MLB experience. Both are worthy of a roster spot in deeper fantasy leagues when they are in the rotation, but that might be later this year for one of them.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
3 weeks agoTexas Rangers right-handed pitching prospects
Jack Leiter and
Kumar Rocker, who were teammates at Vanderbilt, are both competing for the open spot in the starting rotation now that it's confirmed that left-hander
Cody Bradford (elbow) will open the year on the injured list. If we had to bet, Leiter would be the favorite -- not only because he's looked better this spring, but because he has more big-league experience. The 24-year-old has shown increased velocity in camp and has allowed only three runs on seven hits while walking six and striking out 13 in four games (one start) covering 10 2/3 innings. Although he had an ERA over 8.00 and a 1.71 WHIP, Leiter pitched in nine games (six starts) in the big leagues in 2024. Rocker, meanwhile, made three starts last year but has allowed eight earned runs while walking two and striking out only two in just two Cactus League innings in his two starts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
3 weeks agoTexas Rangers starting pitching prospect
Kumar Rocker tossed three shutout innings during an intrasquad contest. Rocker has gotten off to a rough start during spring training, allowing eight hits and eight earned runs across two innings. He has served up two free passes and only tallied two punchouts. Earlier in the week, Rocker also went to the Rangers pitching lab to find his footing. Rocker is competing for a spot at the back of the starting rotation. However, given his disappointing start to spring training, Rocker may be sent to Triple-A to begin the campaign. The Vanderbilt product has battled numerous injuries throughout his young career, which has limited his playing time. Last season, he received a brief taste of the majors and held a 3.36 ERA with a 1.54 WHIP across 11 2/3 innings. If Rocker were to open the season in the minor leagues,
Cody Bradford would likely claim the No. 5 spot.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Kennedi Landry
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