Jack Leiter, Kumar Rocker Competing For Final Rotation Spot
Texas Rangers right-handed pitching prospects Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker, who were teammates at Vanderbilt, are both competing for the open spot in the starting rotation now that it's confirmed that left-hander Cody Bradford (elbow) will open the year on the injured list. If we had to bet, Leiter would be the favorite -- not only because he's looked better this spring, but because he has more big-league experience. The 24-year-old has shown increased velocity in camp and has allowed only three runs on seven hits while walking six and striking out 13 in four games (one start) covering 10 2/3 innings. Although he had an ERA over 8.00 and a 1.71 WHIP, Leiter pitched in nine games (six starts) in the big leagues in 2024. Rocker, meanwhile, made three starts last year but has allowed eight earned runs while walking two and striking out only two in just two Cactus League innings in his two starts.
Kumar Rocker Tosses Three Clean Innings In Intrasquad Contest
Texas Rangers starting pitching prospect Kumar Rocker tossed three shutout innings during an intrasquad contest. Rocker has gotten off to a rough start during spring training, allowing eight hits and eight earned runs across two innings. He has served up two free passes and only tallied two punchouts. Earlier in the week, Rocker also went to the Rangers pitching lab to find his footing. Rocker is competing for a spot at the back of the starting rotation. However, given his disappointing start to spring training, Rocker may be sent to Triple-A to begin the campaign. The Vanderbilt product has battled numerous injuries throughout his young career, which has limited his playing time. Last season, he received a brief taste of the majors and held a 3.36 ERA with a 1.54 WHIP across 11 2/3 innings. If Rocker were to open the season in the minor leagues, Cody Bradford would likely claim the No. 5 spot.
Kumar Rocker Continues To Struggle In Spring Training
Texas Rangers starting pitching prospect Kumar Rocker struggled in his second outing of spring training. He was given the starting nod but was only able to log an inning of work as he served up four earned runs to the Milwaukee Brewers. In his first outing, he also allowed four runs. The 25-year-old entered camp as a favorite to land a spot in the starting rotation, but if he continues to stumble, the team may opt to have him open the campaign at Triple-A to further his development. He was given a brief look at the majors last summer and held a 3.86 ERA with a 1.54 WHIP across 11 2/3 innings. Across 36 2/3 innings in the minor leagues last season, the right-hander posted a strong 1.96 ERA with a 0.79 WHIP. He held an elite 5:55 BB:K ratio. If Rocker were to open the season at Triple-A, Dane Dunning could be given a starting role.
Texas Rangers starting pitching prospect Kumar Rocker struggled in his spring debut on Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals. Rocker tossed one inning of work but allowed a hefty four runs and four hits. He only tallied one punchout. He allowed two doubles, one to Vinnie Pasquantino and the other to Nick Pratto, which brought in all four runs. Rocker is expected to compete for a spot in the Opening Day rotation. However, given this debut, he may have to open the season in the minor leagues. Rocker has battled numerous injuries throughout his young career. Last summer, he logged a career-high 36 2/3 innings in the minor leagues. Across three levels, he held a strong 1.96 ERA with a 0.79 WHIP. This earned him a late-season MLB debut, where he logged 11 2/3 innings to the tune of a 3.86 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. Cody Bradford or Dane Dunning could take his spot in the rotation if he continues to struggle.
Kumar Rocker, Jack Leiter May Not Have Rotation Spots To Begin The Season
MLB.com's Kennedi Landry projects both Texas Rangers rookie right-handers Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter will be on the outside looking in for starting rotation spots on Opening Day in 2025. As things currently stand with everyone healthy, the Rangers' rotation projects to be headlined by Jacob deGrom, followed by Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray, Cody Bradford and Tyler Mahle. Both Rocker and Leiter, who were also teammates at Vanderbilt in college, project to open the season at Triple-A Round Rock to provide rotation depth. Rocker, 25, returned from Tommy John surgery in 2024 to make his first three big-league starts, going 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 11 2/3 frames. Leiter, 24, made nine appearances (six starts) for the Rangers and was extremely inconsistent with an 8.83 ERA and 1.71 WHIP in 35 2/3 innings pitched.
Jack Leiter, Kumar Rocker Optioned To Triple-A On Friday
Texas Rangers pitchers Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker were both optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday. As part of the move pitchers Marc Church and Daniel Robert were recalled from Triple-A Round Rock. The move was simply to preserve Leiter and Rocker's arms and give the Rangers a couple new arms to finish the season. Leiter pitched to an underwhelming 8.83 ERA with a 1.710 WHIP. Rocker recorded a 3.86 ERA in 11.2 IP, though his 1.543 WHIP suggests his ERA could have ended higher. Both Leiter and Rocker appear to be in the Rangers' plans for 2025, though dynasty managers will likely want to keep a closer eye on Rocker than Leiter. Church could be a solid option out of the Rangers' bullpen to finish the season and has impressed at Triple-A, recording a 3.22 ERA and a 9.7 K/9 in 22.1 IP. Robert previously appeared in three games for the Rangers in July, giving up only two ER in 4.2 IP.
Texas Rangers right-handed pitching prospect Kumar Rocker is making his second career major-league start on Thursday at Globe Life Field against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. Rocker, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, went four innings in his major-league debut on Sept. 12 against the division-rival Seattle Mariners and allowed just one earned run on three hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out seven to earn another start. With the Rangers out of playoff contention despite winning the World Series last fall, they have elected to give Rocker a little run in the big leagues to close out the year after he was dominant down on the farm in 2024 after coming back from Tommy John surgery. Rocker may not go deep in Thursday's contest, but he still has plenty of strikeout upside. There's a good chance he'll make one more start before the season is over.
The Texas Rangers are calling up right-handed pitching prospect Kumar Rocker from Triple-A Round Rock later this week, and he'll make his major-league debut on Thursday at T-Mobile Park against the division-rival Seattle Mariners. Rocker, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has a 1.96 ERA over 10 games between the Arizona Complex League, Double-A Frisco and Round Rock this year after returning from Tommy John surgery. It's nice to see the 24-year-old former Vanderbilt product making his MLB debut the same season he returned from elbow reconstruction, but fantasy managers looking for streaming options should temper their expectations despite the tempting matchup in Seattle against the M's. The Rangers reportedly want to keep Rocker to around 50 total innings for this season, and he's already thrown 29 2/3 frames in the minors.
Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young said on Sunday that the team isn't ruling out the possibility of right-handed pitching prospect Kumar Rocker making his major-league debut this year. Rocker the club's No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, made his return from Tommy John surgery this year and has been looking great down on the farm ever since. In three stops between the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock, he has posted a shiny 1.96 ERA, a 0.79 WHIP and a 55:5 K:BB in 36 2/3 innings over 10 appearances (nine starts). Max Scherzer (shoulder) and Jacob deGrom (elbow) are also working their way back from injuries and plan on pitching for the Rangers before the season is over, though, so it remains to be seen if Texas will have a spot for Rocker for an MLB debut of one or two starts down the stretch.
Texas Rangers pitching prospect Kumar Rocker shined in his debut at Triple-A Round Rock, tossing five scoreless innings in which he allowed just one hit and no walks while striking out a career-high 10 batters. After dominating Double-A competition to the tune of a 0.46 ERA (one earned run in five starts), 0.61 WHIP, and a 36.6% K-BB% in 19 2/3 innings pitched, the 24-year-old was promoted to Triple-A for a crack at some tougher opposition. Still, it was Rocker who came out on top again. The former first-rounder got a late start to the season recovering from Tommy John but is looking like the force to be reckoned with that he was expected to be before succumbing to injury. It might be a stretch to think he'll see the majors at this point in the season, but his arrow is certainly pointing way up for fantasy.
Jack Leiter
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Rangers
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