Kumar Rocker Blasts Mets, Impresses Rangers

Controversial and outspoken reliever Kumar Rocker is "wowing them" at Texas Rangers camp. He's holding nothing back with a 97 mph heater. And when asked about the New York Mets, who passed on signing him in 2021, he didn't hold back on that either. 

He told Jon Heyman of the New York Post:

I put it behind me. That’s their business. I have no communication with them. I didn’t have it then. And I don’t have it now.

It is what it is. My job is to throw a baseball. That’s what I’m going to continue to do. And I don’t feel like anyone’s going to get in the way as I’m doing what I need to do. It’s unfortunate. But things happen.

Rocker had a shoulder problem that needed surgery in 2021, which caused the  Mets to back out on their $6.4M verbal agreement to sign him after having selected him with the No. 10 pick in the draft. That allowed the Rangers to nab Rocker at No. 3 overall in 2022. They signed him for $5.2M. 

Now the 23 year old says he's 100% healthy and is already the Rangers' No. 8 prospect. In the Arizona Fall League, Rocker went 2–1 in six games with a 4.50 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 14 innings.  He's in camp with the Rangers on a non-roster invite.

Photo: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports