PHOENIX — Just two months ago, Kumar Rocker was rehabbing his right arm, recovering from Tommy John surgery and hoping just to stay healthy while making a good impression in minor league games.
Well, after soaring through three minor-league stops, making just 10 appearances, Rocker left the Texas Rangers so awe-struck that he now will be making his major-league debut Thursday night at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
Three years, two arm surgeries, and two teams later, he has arrived.
“He’s been through a tough road with this rehab,’ Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said, “but he’s worked hard and he’s earned this the way he’s thrown the ball. The numbers are really impressive.
“That’s why we wanted to bring him up, reward him, and let him get a feel what it’s like up here.’’
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Rocker, 24, the son of an Indian mother and Black father, will also make major-league history when he steps on the mound as the first player of Indian descent to appear in the big leagues. His mother Lalitha’s parents immigrated to the United States in 1965. His father, Tracy, is a College Football Hall of Famer who won the 1988 Outland Trophy and Lombardi awards for Auburn and is now a defensive line coach for the Tennessee Titans.
“It definitely means a lot to me,’ Rocker told USA TODAY Sports. “I think it means more to my mom. She always let me know that I was Indian growing up, being half and half. And I think she’s going to be really happy about it.’
Rocker, whose first name means ‘prince’ or ‘young son’ in Hindi, will have his parents, grandparents, friends and agent all making the trip to Seattle to see his long-awaited debut.
“Hopefully,’ Rocker said, “I can give them a show to watch.’
Certainly, Rocker, 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, been a show-stopper in the minors this season. He yielded a 0.91 ERA in his last seven starts at AAA Round Rock and Class AA Frisco, striking out 47 batters while walking just three batters in 29 ⅔ innings.
“I’m excited, I’m just happy to be here,’ said Rocker, who will wear No. 80, the same number he wore in college and minors. “I found my rhythm. Hope to keep it.’’
Rocker, an All-America pitcher at Vanderbilt, led the nation with a 14-4 record while striking out a Division I leading 179 batters in 122 innings – 13.2 batters per nine innings – as a junior and was drafted by the New York Mets with the 10th pick in 2021. He agreed to a $6 million signing bonus, but when he took his physical, the Mets balked at the results, and rescinded the original offer.
Two months later, he was undergoing shoulder surgery, pitching the following spring in independent ball for the TriCity ValleyCats, ultimately selected by the Rangers with the third pick in the 2022 draft. After making six starts in Class A, underwent Tommy John surgery.
Now, here he is, ready to make his mark as one of the most talented pitching prospects in all of baseball.
“Any time I get a new challenge in front of me,’ Rocker said, “I’m excited for it. “Whether I conquer it immediately or it takes time, I’m always looking forward to the next one, especially in this game.’’
Certainly, Rocker gives the Rangers (70-76) hope that this year was simply an aberration, and the reigning World Series champions will be back in 2025.
They’ll have two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom pitching in the big leagues Friday for the first time since April 2023 and three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer returning Saturday for the first time since July 30 after his thumb injury.
“I’m very excited, it’s a fun week,” Rangers GM Chris Young said. “(It’s great) any time you debut one of your top prospects and you get one of the best pitchers in the game back – and really two of the best pitchers in the game.”
Said Rocker: “Two legends you grew up watching.’
Now, even with deGrom and Scherzer and their Cy Young awards back in the rotation, all eyes will be on Rocker, reminding Bochy of the days when the San Francisco Giants called up Tim Lincecum and Madison Bumgarner. Rocker soared through the minors this year, making three rehab starts with the Rangers in the Arizona Complex League, five starts at Class AA Frisco where he yielded a 0.46 ERA, and just two starts at Triple-A Round Rock where he had a 1.80 ERA and struck out 18 in 10 innings.
He has arrived with his electric 99-mph fastball, devastating slider, hard curveball and changeup, ready to make a statement.
“I can’t ask for much more,’’ Rocker said. “The game is what it is. I know you got to ride the wave to get here, so I’m really happy about it.’’
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