For a guy who has not played a single MLB game, and has only six minor league appearances, Kumar Rocker made a huge splash on Twitter Saturday.
After the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported that the New York Mets had reached a deal to trade ace Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers (pending his approval), speculation began about what kind of return New York might get.
It didn’t take long before Rocker’s name went viral on Twitter as baseball fans speculated, joked and hoped that baseball karma would play out and the Rangers would send the young pitcher to the Mets.
For fans who don’t recognize Rocker’s name, he’s a 23-year-old right-hander in the Rangers minor league system. He’s most notable, however, for being the Mets No. 1 pick (No. 10 overall) in the 2021 MLB Draft. The Mets did not sign him because of concerns about the former Vanderbilt pitcher’s throwing arm.
A year later, the Rangers drafted Rocker No. 3 overall and signed him. He made six appearances for the club’s High-A affiliate this season before suffering a torn UCL ligament. Rocker underwent Tommy John surgery in late May and is not expected to return until mid-2024.
Despite his scant pro baseball experience and injury status, Rocker was a beast on Twitter Saturday, ranking up there with Scherzer in the viral category.
If Max Scherzer goes to the Rangers, who will the Mets get back? One possible name seems to be on the mind of baseball fans. pic.twitter.com/t40FOyKlay
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) July 29, 2023
As it turned out, Heyman reported the Rangers have offered the Mets shortstop Luisangel Acuña (Ronald’s brother), in the deal, if it goes through.
Luisangel Acuna, a SS and Ronald’s brother, will go to Mets in proposed Max Scherzer deal — if it is finalized. They are still working through things (there is no official word from Scherzer yet) so it us not final yet.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 29, 2023
That news probably disappointed countless baseball fans, who loved the karma that would have been unleashed if Rocker had gone to the Mets.
There wasn’t a bit of logic to the Rocker rumors. Let’s see, the Mets, who didn’t sign Rocker because of arm injury concerns, suddenly want him now that he’s had Tommy John surgery. Still, they were a lot of fun to read on Twitter.
Kumar Rocker hearing the Mets and Rangers are working on a trade pic.twitter.com/liX8iyK39g
— Greg Kaplan (@BlueshirtsBreak) July 29, 2023
If the Mets get Kumar Rocker in this trade, #MetsTwitter will be like… pic.twitter.com/9qjjrmxNyj
— D.J. Short (@djshort) July 29, 2023
Is Kumar Rocker available? If so, the Mets have the chance to do the funniest thing
— Christopher Weber (@shwebsi) July 29, 2023
Kumar Rocker! You are a New York Met!
— Stealymann (@StealyMann) July 29, 2023
I will die of laughter if this sends Kumar Rocker to the Mets https://t.co/wDKltAbxhI
— Tone (@tonemontana_) July 29, 2023
Please let me see
“Max Scherzer has waived his no-trade clause and will be traded to the Texas Rangers for RHP Kumar Rocker and other prospects.”
PLEASE
— Jack Gross (@JKG_4) July 29, 2023
🚨BREAKING🚨
I’m hearing Kumar Rocker is coming back in the Max Scherzer deal. He will decline and play his 5th year of college baseball instead. @NjTank99
— Chuck Naso (@ChuckNaso) July 29, 2023
If the Rangers want to do the funniest thing ever they should insist the Mets take Kumar Rocker https://t.co/W5a2q4nA53
— Trot (@HaloHangover) July 29, 2023