As former Vanderbilt star pitcher Kumar Rocker prepares for the 2022 MLB Draft, it appears that there are still some health concerns.
According to ESPN baseball insider Kiley McDaniel, Rocker has undergone a recent shoulder surgery. It was deemed a “minor scope” though and MLB teams were recently informed.
Per the report, Rocker is now “healthy and looking good.” He’s apparently starting to rise on the MLB draft boards too.
The New York Mets famously did not sign Rocker over medical concerns. As a result, MLB fans largely feel that this news vindicates them for not signing him last year while a few others are joking that it would be hilarious if he became great:
I def hated the optics last year of back to back the bungled deadline and missing this signing, but it appears the Mets may have been right https://t.co/Lm0jKEuEC2
— Ed Wrynn (@jovialgentleman) July 3, 2022
Oh I thought nothing was wrong with him?
— FrankieT (@frankiet91175) July 3, 2022
How ‘Mets’ would it be for this guy to become an absolute stud? Soooo Mets lmao https://t.co/zvSTCbAAnS
— Anthony🥀 (@AnthonyAlesi3) July 3, 2022
“Minor scope” but nothing was wrong with him. 🤐 #Mets #LGM https://t.co/iGlxClHvR6
— Subway To Shea Podcast (@SubwayToShea) July 3, 2022
Kumar Rocker has been a top baseball prospect since he was a teenager. He rose to national prominence as the ace pitcher for the Vanderbilt Commodores.
In 2019, Rocker earned College World Series Most Outstanding Player as he helped the Commodores win the national title.
Two years later, the New York Mets made Rocker the No. 10 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. But despite reaching a verbal agreement on a contract, the Mets ultimately did not make him an offer due to medical information.
The Mets were panned for the decision at the time, but it’s becoming pretty clear that they were on to something.
When will Kumar Rocker make his debut in Major League Baseball?