Inside The Rangers

Texas Rangers Top Prospect Kumar Rocker Making MLB Debut Thursday Against Seattle Mariners

Kumar Rocker, the Texas Rangers top prospect and the No. 30 prospect in the MLB, is scheduled make MLB debut Thursday in Seattle.

Stefan Stevenson

Feb 21, 2023; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Kumar Rocker (80) poses for a photo during photo day at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images
Feb 21, 2023; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Kumar Rocker (80) poses for a photo during photo day at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images / Allan Henry-Imagn Images
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The Texas Rangers are wasting no time.

And the Rangers rotation could have a whole new look by the end of the week.

Kumar Rocker will make his MLB debut when he starts the Rangers' series opener against the Seattle Mariners at 8:40 p.m. Thursday at T-Mobile Park.

Rocker, 24, has dominated batters in the minor leagues this summer after returning from May 2023 Tommy John surgery. He is 0-1 with a 1.96 ERA over 10 appearances, including nine starts between three Rangers affiliates.

Rocker was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft out of Vanderbilt. He'll join his former Commodores teammate Jack Leiter in the Rangers rotation. Leiter was the No. 2 overall pick in 2021.

Rocker has a 0.791 WHIP and .181/.209/.278/.487 opponent slash line with 55 strikeouts and five walks in 2024. He's averaging 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings in the minors. His rapid rise has resulted in him being named the No. 30 prospect by Baseball America.

Rocker returned to the mound on July 5 with the Arizona Rookie League Rangers.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Rocker is a different pitcher than the one he saw in Rocker's first spring training in 2023. Rocker injured his elbow six starts in for High-A Hickory at the end of April 2023, about the same time that Rangers ace Jacob deGrom suffered the same injury. deGrom had Tommy John surgery in early June 2023.

deGrom is also expected to make his first MLB start for the Rangers in Seattle this weekend. Max Scherzer, who has been battling arm fatigue, could also return against the Mariners. Both deGrom and Scherzer made successful rehab starts in the minors on Saturday.

Rocker, who turns 25 in November, had ligament replacement surgery performed by Rangers Team Physician Dr. Keith Meister on May 22, 2023.

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Stefan Stevenson

STEFAN STEVENSON

Stefan Stevenson worked as a journalist and editor at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for 25 years, covering sports, concerts, and general news. His beats have included the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers, and Texas Christian University football.

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