MLB’s race to the bottom for Kumar Rocker is heating up

Four different MLB teams have a shot at Kumar Rocker.

The Vanderbilt Commodores regularly churn out some of the MLB Draft’s most hyped prospects. including Toronto Blue Jays 2020 draftee Austin Martin. Some MLB teams have already resigned themselves to the fact they won’t win a title this season, and now they’ve turned their attention towards the next great Vanderbilt star in right-handed starter and projected 2021 No. 1 overall pick Kumar Rocker.

As it stands right now, the Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, and the struggling Texas Rangers are tied for the worst record in the game, with the Pittsburgh Pirates just a half-game ahead of that trio. Someone has to win this race to the bottom, and the “winner” of this pursuit will end up in possession of one of the most pro-ready college starters we’ve seen in years.

Kumar Rocker is worth all the hype he’s getting

Rocker, who has posted a 3.06 ERA in 19 college starts, is a three-pitch pitcher at this stage, but all three of those pitchers are well above-average. His fastball sits around 95 mph but will regularly go near 98 and will occasionally touch 100. His gyroscopic slider sits in the high 80s and his insane break. He started to develop a greater feel for his changeup, which will serve him well in the major leagues.

Rocker’s name really started to gain traction when he no-hit the Duke Blue Devils last year, striking out 19 batters along the way. If a performance like that against a quality Blue Devils team doesn’t scream future MLB star, we don’t know what will.

Ending the season with a championship is always the main goal, but whoever ends up with Rocker might be equipped to dominate the game for the next decade if Rocker speeds through the minor leagues and makes good on his immense potential.