Rocker dials it up in Double-A debut for Frisco

It had been 442 days since Kumar Rocker last pitched in a game for a full-season affiliate. With a layoff of that length, any sort of comeback performance would be deemed an accomplishment. But on Friday night, the Rangers’ No. 3 prospect made a statement, striking out four batters in three innings during his Double-A debut with Frisco at Riders Field.

“It felt good," Rocker said after Frisco's eventual 2-0 loss to Tulsa. "It was fun being back out there, just being in the stadium with the crowd and the team morale -- it was fun."

Rocker faced just one batter above the minimum, yielding his lone hit to Dodgers top-ranked prospect Dalton Rushing (MLB No. 46). He threw 26 of his 37 pitches for strikes and retired five of his final six batters on three pitches or less.

The former Vanderbilt ace has been plagued by injury since the start of his pro career. Originally selected 10th overall by the Mets in the 2021 Draft, New York did not sign him after reviewing medical information. Rocker underwent shoulder surgery later that year. After a stint in the Frontier League in 2022, the 6-foot-5 righty entered the Draft again, going third overall to the Rangers. He made his pro debut in 2023, posting a 3.86 ERA for the High-A Hickory Crawdads before a torn ligament in his right elbow necessitated Tommy John surgery. With the help of his family, Rocker kept his focus on his eventual return.

“My family definitely has been calling me every day through the 14-month rehab process,” Rocker said. “I’ve just been waking up every day and trying to get better one day at a time, and eventually, you’re going to reach your destination.”

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The first stop along the way was the Arizona Complex League, where Rocker threw in three games earlier this month, reportedly hitting 99 mph with his fastball. While the results of his outings were mixed (eight runs -- five earned -- across seven innings but also eight strikeouts), the Rangers were encouraged enough to move him along to face tougher competition. With Triple-A Round Rock playing on the road in Albuquerque, Frisco became the most ideal rehab assignment for both Rocker and big league third baseman Josh Jung, who went 1-for-3 in Friday’s game.

What’s next for Rocker? With those 442 days behind him, he’s ready to embrace each assignment and trust the process.

“I’m going to take it week by week and see what the team has in store and what they want to do," Rocker said. "Just roll with that.”