Kumar Rocker Feb 21, 2023; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Kumar Rocker (80) poses for a photo during photo day at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

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.

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.

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.

[Jon Heyman]

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.