The 2022 MLB Draft took place on Sunday featuring a number of interesting storylines, but there was perhaps no more talked-about development than the third-overall selection of former Vanderbilt pitcher Kumar Rocker.
Rocker was previously selected by the New York Mets with the 10th pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. But he didn’t sign with the Mets after the team cited some medical concerns that emerged following the draft.
He re-declared for the 2022 MLB Draft after a brief stint with the Tri-City Valleycats of the Frontier League back in May.
Many thought that Rocker’s injury concerns in last year’s draft would impact his draft stock in the 2022 MLB Draft, but it did quite the opposite.
Rocker was selected by the Texas Rangers on Sunday night with the third pick in the draft, which was seen by most as an extremely shocking move. That move got the attention of many around the MLB world.
[five hours later, slightly different intonation]
Holy crap, the Rangers just… drafted Kumar Rocker
— Levi Weaver (@ThreeTwoEephus) July 18, 2022
I loved this team and I’m a huge Kumar Rocker fan. I hope it works out for him! https://t.co/m2BkI0B5Dd
— SportsAngle (@SportsAngle) July 18, 2022
Less than two years ago Kumar Rocker was seen as a lock to be the number one overall pick. He’s seemingly throwing better now than he was then. Surprising pick but maybe it shouldn’t be.
— Jared Sandler (@JaredSandler) July 18, 2022
Rocker will now join Vanderbilt teammate Jack Leiter in Texas. Leiter went second overall to the Rangers in last year’s draft.
While some questioned the Rangers for their decision to invest heavy draft capital into a player like Rocker with notable injury concerns, others took to social media to express their congratulations for Rocker.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes gave his thoughts on the draft pick, appreciating the grind that it took for Rocker to get back into the top 10 of the MLB Draft in back-to-back years.
“So awesome to watch man! Glad this dude kept grinding and ended up top 10 again!”
So awesome to watch man! Glad this dude kept grinding and ended up top 10 again! 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 @KumarRocker https://t.co/5mwhW2dbXB
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) July 17, 2022
It appears that Rocker’s medical examinations went without issue this time around, as he has signed with the Rangers organization with a $5.2 million signing bonus.
A year after the Mets offered Kumar Rocker no deal following a medical evaluation, Rocker is getting a $5.2M deal with the Rangers, who picked him 3rd. That’s nearly a half million dollars more than last year’s Mets slot at 10. @GJoyce9 https://t.co/zo57SHI4ra
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 18, 2022
Rocker’s story was initially a sad one, with a player with a ton of potential having his baseball career called into question due to unfortunate injury concerns.
Now, the work he’s put in this past year has paid off in the eyes of the Texas Rangers.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.