The Phillies have gone back-to-back with prep arms in the first round in the past two years with Mick Abel and Andrew Painter. "It wouldn't shock me if somebody had given him pretty close to what he was expecting to get last year ($6 million)," said Geoff Pontes, an MLB Draft and prospects writer for Baseball America. FILE - Vanderbilt pitcher Kumar Rocker, #80, throws during the first inning in Game 3 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals on June 30, 2021, in Omaha, Neb. MLB. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. A 6'5", 245-pound right-hander with prototypical power stuff, Kumar Rocker lights it up with a fastball that touches 99 mph, a wicked 70-grade slider and a plus curveball that keeps hitters from . (CBS Sports top 30 rank: No. Signs point to the Rangers preferring Holliday over Green, so we have them taking Matt's son. He was the hero of the super regionals in 2019 when he struck out 19 Blue Devils in a no-hitter as a freshman. Yes, 7Ks in 2 innings.And the hat tip. they were thinking about taking at No. Despite having a higher ceiling than any other realistic target at #21 if they go the college route, Rocker is also likely closer to the major leagues than most other players in this draft. You could read a plethora of scouting reports on Rocker, talking about his professional athlete bloodline or about how his slider is one of the best pitches in the draft class, so I wont bore you with another one. Law noted that, while there is the upside of a future second starter, Rockers potential as a quick riser, perhaps even reaching the majors this season, could be a selling point for the Phillies. I think theres interest in the 10 to 20 range. So how high could Rocker go? The Cubs feel likely to target a college bat, and there might not be a better pure hitter than Jacob Berry. The thing is that, despite Kumar Rocker being older than most of the other players in this draft, he turns 23 in November, and he doesnt fit the mold of a typical college player that would be on the board at #21. He eventually. DECISIONS TO MAKE:Can Vanderbilt baseball keep top recruits after MLB Draft 2022? Colorado Rockies - RHP Kumar Rocker, No School. With so many good bats on the board, the bet here is the Royals will go that route, and Neto fits their M.O. Chicago's not afraid to take risks and Beck is one of the riskiest college bats in the draft class, but the potential reward is enormous. He's a better defensive catcher than Parada, and while his bat isn't on Parada's level, it is still an above-average bat both in hitting and power. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on Twitter @aria_gerson. Rocker since has pitched for the Tri-City ValleyCats of the independent Frontier League, and hell reenter the MLB draft this Sunday as one of the most intriguing prospects available. Rocker pitched for the Tri-City ValleyCats, an independent team in New York, to showcase for scouts this summer. Gavin Cross makes sense here too. The Athletic has comprehensive live coverage of the 20-round, three-day event, including top-100 prospect rankings, mock . I immediately place Rocker back on my list as the top RHP. Holliday and to a lesser extent Elijah Green are said to be high on their board as well, and given how college heavy Texas has gone in the last few first rounds, I wouldn't rule out Brooks Lee or Georgia Tech catcher Kevin Parada either. By going third to the Texas Rangers, ex-Vanderbilt ace Kumar Rocker became surprise winner on first night of 2022 MLB Draft - at expense of the Mets. Tony Spinelli for ESPN It was about this time last summer that the . Look at what Edwin Arroyo and Harry Ford are doing in Modesto right now as teenagers. (CBS Sports top 30 rank: Unranked), June 16 mock pick:LHP Cooper Hjerpe, Oregon State June 30 mock pick:LHP Carson Whisenhunt, East Carolina, Pick: LHP Cooper Hjerpe, Oregon State ($3,291,200 slot value) The Mariners have been tied to college hitters more than anything this spring, but the case can be made Hjerpe (pronounced "Jerpy") is the best healthy college pitcher in the draft class, and it doesn't make sense to pass on him to take a second-tier college bat. Rocker could quickly become a factor in earning one of those other rotation spots. This weather is conducive to high-scoring games, and it'll be . Less important than the actual results, though, is that Rocker showed the same stuff as when he was at his best with the Commodores. (CBS Sports top 30 rank: No. (CBS Sports top 30 rank: No. Who will go in the first round of July's MLB Draft? Twins Cam Collier, 3B, Chipola Junior College. How Kumar Rocker went from top-10 pick in 2021 to one of MLB draft's biggest mysteries in 2022 Rocker failed to sign with the Mets after being selected 10th overall last year; where. Draft Simulator. Porter can reach triple-digits and has an electrifying arsenal, and has among the highest upside of any prep arm in the class. 2022 MLB Mock Draft: Orioles take Termarr Johnson at No. 4 overall last year. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) "My talent. The first round of this years draft will take place on July 17 in Los Angeles. The 2022 college baseball season is now underway, which is an exciting time for prospectors everywhere. Just getting back? . 2022 MLB Mock Draft has Red Sox taking Kumar Rocker, ex-Vanderbilt star 2022 MLB Mock Draft has Red Sox taking Kumar Rocker, ex-Vanderbilt star 5 Darren Hartwell July 11,. 38, Prospects Live No. Heres the Marinerss offseason, recapped, Kyle Lewis, Trevor Gott/The only stove that wasnt hot/We didnt start the fire, Your way-too-early-look at 2023 Mariners MLB Draft Targets, 2022 Mariners MLB Draft: Day 3 Draft Tracker, Seattle Mariners select RHP Ashton AJ Izzi in fourth round of 2022 MLB Draft, Seattle Mariners select Walter Ford with 74th pick in 2022 MLB Draft, Seattle Mariners select 1B/3B Tyler Locklear with 58th pick in 2022 MLB Draft. Just about every pitcher with a chance to go in the first round has been connected to the Halos at one point or another. Rajai Davis on MLB Draft Combine. ESPN's Kiley McDaniel last week ranked Rocker as the No. or redistributed. (CBSSports.com). 14), June 16 mock pick:OF Justin Crawford, Bishop Gorman HS (Nevada) June 30 mock pick:RHP Brock Porter, St. Mary's Prep (Michigan), Pick:OF Gavin Cross, Virginia Tech ($4,980,400 slot value), The Rockies have been connected to college bats most of the spring -- for what it's worth, there have been rumblings they'll grab one of the top high school pitchers -- and Cross is the best, most well-rounded college position player still on the board. After not coming to terms with the Mets, Rockers future was uncertain after he announced he would not be returning to Nashville. 2022 MLB Mock Draft 2.0; List 2022 MLB Mock Draft 2.0. The fit: Like the rest of these teams, the Red Sox are in contention for a playoff spot and could use Rocker in the bullpen. The Reds could then use the No. We know more about NBA (and NFL, WNBA, NHL, MLS, NWSL) draft prospects than most MLB draft entries. Royals Gavin Cross, OF, Virginia Tech. Last year MLB pushed the draft back to the All-Star break in an effort to better market the event, and that will be the norm moving forward even though many. Prielipp missed all of the 2022 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2021, but the stuff he has shown when he's pitched is among the most electric in the college class. Below is our second 2022 MLB mock draft based on the latest chatter, speculation, and rumors. FINAL 2021 MLB Mock Draft-- V 7. . He was selected by the New York Mets last year, but the two sides could not come to an agreement on a contract over concerns about his physical. There are other college players available in our mock draft with more upside than Susac, particularly on the mound, but position scarcity always leads to catchers coming off the board earlier than expected. Law also noted the Red Sox were serious about Rocker leading up to the 2021 MLB Draft before choosing shortstop Marcelo Mayer with the No. 2), June 16 mock pick:3B Cam Collier, Chipola JC (Florida) June 30 mock pick:Collier, Pick:C Kevin Parada, Georgia Tech ($5,439,500 slot value), The Twins are an analytics model-driven team and they have been linked to Cam Collier a bunch because his age relative to competition makes him a model favorite. 1 prospect in baseball before the season, O's GM Mike Elias told MLB.com earlier this month, Braves acquiring the No. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Kumar Rocker Overview College, Fall & Independent Lg Stats More Kumar Rocker Pages at Baseball Reference For the O's, cutting a deal with Johnson at No. Let's take a look at some recent mock drafts. (CBS Sports top 30 rank: Unranked), June 16 mock pick: RHP Jacob Miller, Liberty Union HS (Ohio) June 30 mock pick:OF Sterlin Thompson, Florida, Pick:OF Jordan Beck, Tennessee ($2,788,000 slot value), The White Sox tend to seek out elite tools in the first round, such as Nick Madrigal's contact ability andGarrett Crochet's fastball. Lesko was widely considered the best prep arm in the draft until he underwent Tommy John surgery this spring, but the ceiling remains incredibly lofty. In his latest mock draft, Keith Law hypothesized that Rocker could see time on a major league mound in 2022. 6:54 pm ET, Our R.J. Anderson ranked Rutschman the No. The hulking build is impressive, yes, and he knows how to use it The Baltimore Orioles have the No. Baltimore could look to cut a deal at this top spot, but we've got them taking the best player in the draft. Here's the lowdown on 23 players expected to go that high. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, left, announces the selection of Kumar Rocker by the Texas Rangers with the third pick of the 2022 MLB baseball draft, Sunday, July 17, 2022, in Los Angeles. Cincinnati has a lot of bonus pool money and could use that to help land a highly valued prospect like Cole Young in this spot. More Prospects Highlights . 24. Kumar Rocker is likely one of the most famous prospects in the 2022 class. 25), June 16 mock pick:LHP Connor Prielipp, Alabama June 30 mock pick:RHP Dylan Lesko, Buford HS (Georgia), Pick:RHP Dylan Lesko, Buford HS (Georgia) ($3,935,500 slot value), The Guardians are one of the few teams with a discernible "type" in the first round and it is high school hitters who are younger than their peers and pitchers with advanced command and pitchability. 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