Former Vanderbilt Commodores baseball star Kumar Rocker, draft-eligible once more, had September shoulder surgical procedure, sources say

Former Vanderbilt star Kumar Rocker underwent shoulder surgical procedure in September, receiving what his agent referred to as “a minor scope” on his proper arm, sources accustomed to the process informed ESPN.

Rocker, the 10th general decide within the 2021 draft, didn’t signal with the New York Mets after the crew balked on the situation of his pitching arm. Now 22 and once more draft-eligible, Rocker has steadily climbed groups’ boards over the previous month after commonly hitting 98 mph together with his fastball in a dominant five-game stint with the Tri-Metropolis ValleyCats of the unbiased Frontier League.

“We have now a really clear understanding, after a minor scope, of Kumar’s medically documented well being, which has allowed him to carry out on the highest ranges,” mentioned Scott Boras, Rocker’s agent.

Rocker’s medical info, together with the process carried out by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, was distributed to groups in latest days main as much as the July 17 draft, during which he’s anticipated to once more go within the first spherical. In a draft quick on pitching, Rocker’s mixture of pedigree and the stuff he confirmed with Tri-Metropolis may compel groups to contemplate him far sooner than they had been in latest months.

Following a breakout efficiency as a freshman during which he was named Most Excellent Participant throughout Vanderbilt’s run to a School World Collection title, Rocker spent the following two years as probably the most recognizable identify in school baseball. His ultimate season with Vanderbilt in 2021 was characteristically glorious, with 179 strikeouts in 122 innings and a 2.73 ERA, however his fluctuating velocity involved groups on the high of the primary spherical.

The Mets had been initially elated he dropped to them and deliberate to supply a $6 million signing bonus — $1.26 million greater than the slot worth of the 10th decide. Involved by his medicals, New York by no means made a suggestion. The Mets obtained the 11th decide on this 12 months’s draft as compensation. Sometimes, groups want to supply 40% of slot worth to gather the comp decide, however the Mets had been exempted from doing so as a result of Rocker didn’t take part in Main League Baseball’s pre-draft MRI program.

The process was not thought of main and didn’t contain Rocker’s rotator cuff or labrum, Boras mentioned. Rocker returned to the mound early within the 12 months to construct as much as his June 5 debut with Tri-Metropolis, which is 23-20 this season. In his 5 outings, he threw 20 innings, struck out 32, walked 4 and posted a 1.35 ERA.

Rocker’s ultimate efficiency Friday was his greatest: 5 innings, two hits, no earned runs, one stroll, seven strikeouts and 44 strikes on 69 pitches towards the Empire State Greys, who’re 2-40.