In the first game of a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park, the Texas Rangers are scheduled to start Kumar Rocker, a 25-year-old right-hander who was the third overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft.
The New York Mets drafted Rocker 10th overall in 2021, but didn't sign him, citing medical concerns.
Rocker did undergo shoulder and elbow surgeries that limited him to 17 starts over two minor-league seasons in 2022 and 2023. But he dominated last season at Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock before the Rangers called him up to make three September starts.
What to know about Rocker, the first 2022 first-round pitcher to reach the big-leagues:
Rocker is making his fourth big-league start, first against a National League opponent.
Rocker posted a 3.86 ERA, striking out 14 while allowing just one home run in starts against Seattle, Toronto and Oakland last September.
But he didn't pitch into the sixth inning in any of those starts. He threw 74 pitches in four innings in his first start; 71 in three innings in his second; and 73 in 4 2/3 innings in his third.
Kumar's father, Tracy Rocker, was a Cincinnati Bearcats coach.
Tracy Rocker, a two-time All-American at Auburn, has had a long career as a defensive line coach in college and the NFL.
Tracy was the UC Bearcats' defensive-line coach in 2002, under head coach Rick Minter.
Tracy is entering the second season of his second stint as the Tennessee Titans' D-line coach. Former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan hired him in February 2023.
Kumar starred at Vanderbilt, where Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson worked from 2002 to 2012.
Kumar pitched three seasons for the Commodores, from 2019 to 2021.
As a freshman, he allowed just two home runs in 99 2/3 innings. As a junior, he struck out 179 in 122 innings and posted a 2.73 ERA in 20 starts.
Jack Leiter, who also starred at Vanderbilt and was selected second overall by the Rangers in the 2021 draft, is scheduled to oppose Hunter Greene in Wednesday's series finale.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Kumar Rocker, Rangers' 2022 draft third overall pick, faces Reds, GABP
