MLB draft prospect has question marks

Kumar Rocker was once considered a top pick for the MLB draft, but his dismal injury history had the pitcher concerned before Rangers drafted him.

It’s been a wild year for Kumar Rocker, who was once considered the best prospect available in 2021 MLB draft.

He dropped to the No. 10 Mets in last year’s draft due to uncertainty about his speed, then the team that drafted him had to be pulled out because of something in his post-draft physics.

He was back on the board for the 2022 MLB draft, where the Texas Rangers shocked everyone by taking him 3rd overall.

If Rangers were willing to take that risk, what injury worries had spooked others?

Kumar Rocker injury history

The Mets have never revealed exactly why they accepted a compensatory draft pick instead of trying to sign Rocker. The pitcher skipped the MLB combine process and associated physical strains after showing speed issues during his final season with Vanderbilt. It seemed like something was wrong, it’s just clear what it was.

Rocker had shoulder surgery in September, per MLB.com. Whatever ailed him appears to have been cleared up in appearances with the Frontier League’s Tri-City ValleyCats, he could throw 99 mph while maintaining a 1.35 ERA through 20 innings.

Before the draft, there were questions about whether he would go into the first round. Clearly, Rangers aren’t the least bit worried about his injury status.