Megan Turner
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The New York Mets do not plan to sign right-hander Kumar Rocker, the 10th overall pick in the amateur draft.
ESPN reports that unless there is a drastic change between now and the 5 p.m. ET signing deadline, 21-year-old Rocker — whose dominance at Vanderbilt made him the most well-known college player in perhaps a decade — had an agreement in place to sign for $6 million after he slipped down draft boards earlier this month.
MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo reports the deal fell apart following Rocker’s physical examination, where an elbow issue popped up on his post-draft physical. If Rocker does not sign, the Mets would receive the 11th pick in the 2022 draft as compensation.
The possibility of the Mets and Rocker coming to an 11th-hour agreement always exists, unclear whether Rocker will return to Vanderbilt or pursue an alternate path, ESPN reports.
Rocker’s agent Scott Boras insists he is healthy, pointing to the 122 innings he threw over 20 starts in which he struck out 179 batters with a 2.73 ERA this year.
Further, sources familiar with Rocker’s situation said, outside orthopedists disagreed with the Mets’ assessment of Rocker’s health. ESPN reports the team expressed concerns over the health of Rocker’s arm following the physical last week.
Kumar lol
Too much White Castle?
If his arm was okay then Boras needs to explain why he dropped 2-3 mph this year at an age when he should be adding 2-3 mph. You could tell something was off this year.
Last season, the Mets drafted MSState pitcher JT Ginn who has ALREADY had TJ surgery. He was picked at #52. He was signed and he’s pitched well at High A this season.
I know the dollars at #10 and #52 are vastly different. Given the success that physicians have had providing that procedure to high level athletes, you’ve got to wonder why the Met’s have just dropped him.
Another take on Rocker. If he’s got an elbow problem, does he have a repair done now or wait until there’s a failure in the joint.
Not everyone bounces back from TJ like Yu Darvish or Jacob deGrom.
Dylan Bundy threw 100+ in high school and the Orioles took him #4 overall. He got hurt and had a TJ in the minors. He showed some flashes for Baltimore but never put it together. Right now he’s 28 and was dropped from the Angels rotation with a 1-8 record and an ERA around 7. Last time I watched him pitch his fastball topped out at 91 mph.
I wouldn’t sign him if I was the Mets. They get a compensatory pick at #11 in next years draft if he goes back to Vandy.
I hope the young man recovers and has a long, productive career.
True, though a lot of the bounce back you have has to do with the work you put in, sticking to the rehab plan, and doing what the doctor and trainers tell you to do. I can tell you not all guys work hard or listen, so results vary. It’s a butt load of rehab work to get your arm back in shape, including getting your lower half stronger, so if you cut corners or don’t take it seriously your arm won’t be what it was.
With a name like Rocker maybe they had a change of heart. Remember John Rocker? He didn’t exactly like N.Y.
Honestly with the way the Mets wear down pitchers this may not be the worst thing for Rocker. I can’t name a starter in that org who hasn’t had arm
issues and it’s not a coincidence.