2022 MLB Draft July 17-19 - An Extensive Look At Top Draft Prospects

[Bmurph]

Lots of news here after sweep

I don't necessarily believe them

 

[Kelleyman]

 

[Bmurph]

Wasn't the issue 3 years ago, which one would be the better pitcher and drafted first when they came out?

 

[True Rangers Fan]

3. Rangers — Kumar Rocker, RHP, No school

• Grade: B-

Already the surprise of the draft, Kumar Rocker is joining former Vanderbilt teammate Jack Leiter with the Rangers. After not signing with the Mets last year, Rocker waited until the 2022 MLB Draft to get selected again. The upside is there for Rocker, as he was considered a top-10 prospect a year ago, but there is more risk than several other players available on the board given the past injury concerns and occasional waning velocity. He has just 20 innings on the mound since he pitched at Vanderbilt, and while he looked electric, there's a lot of uncertainty. If he can live up to his past hype, the Rangers will have a dynamic future one-two punch, and he's already likely ready to pitch in a big-league bullpen.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Grade: C

Wow. The Rangers only had one Day 1 pick after signing Marcus Semien and Corey Seager, and they swung for the fences. Rocker comes with obvious risk after his deal with the Mets fell through over arm concerns, but his stuff is still electric if he stays healthy. How did he improve his draft stock by seven slots by essentially sitting out a year?

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Instant Analysis: Well, we were all talking about Kumar Rocker as a potential top three overall pick . . . in 2021. After everything that happened with Rocker last year, we didn't expect Rocker to go higher than the 10th overall pick, where he went last year, so the Rangers are pulling off the first big surprise of the draft. The idea of Rocker reuniting with former Vanderbilt teammate Jack Leiter is a great story, but all the unknowns with Rocker—both the limited sample of innings this season and the medical history— makes this a risky bet for the Rangers, especially given the opportunity cost of the other players they could have had in this spot.

 

[scotsman1948]

Instant Analysis: Well, we were all talking about Kumar Rocker as a potential top three overall pick . . . in 2021. After everything that happened with Rocker last year, we didn't expect Rocker to go higher than the 10th overall pick, where he went last year, so the Rangers are pulling off the first big surprise of the draft. The idea of Rocker reuniting with former Vanderbilt teammate Jack Leiter is a great story, but all the unknowns with Rocker—both the limited sample of innings this season and the medical history— makes this a risky bet for the Rangers, especially given the opportunity cost of the other players they could have had in this spot.

they say the medical history but according to what i have read he had a scope on his shoulder that dealt with a minor level bursitis and a little material

 

[WastinSomeTime]

It is imperative that the players we have been drafting, Jung, Leiter and Rocker are successful. If these picks tank during these tough years which are allowing us to have picks early in the draft then there is a good chance our struggle lasts awhile. Our pitching for the most part has stunk in the minors so I can see why they took this risk. This is our need. But don't care to have any kumbaya moments about this stuff. I just want to start seeing results. Not liking what I see from Leiter so far but hope it changes soon.

 

[Duane1952]

Lieter was suppose to move quickly thru the system too.

 

[Kelleyman]

 

[Bmurph]

Need some power from Zeke Duran, I'm afraid Josh Smith will not ever be much of a HR threat. May be like Andrus where everyone clamored that he'd get bigger and stronger eventually and have more power.

 

[Bmurph]

Lieter was suppose to move quickly thru the system too.

If these last few years of draft picks dont start improving pretty fast, the Texas Rangers need to look real hard into their player development staff. It isn't gonna receive many accolades at this point

 

[saddles]

So of course wheee does he go. Have a hard time thinking he goes straight to Frisco but who knows. The pitching on the night I was there was no great. We need to add some velocity guys

He may go to Frisco unless they feel they made a mistake with Leiter. He does have slightly more experience than Leiter did beginning this year. Unlike Leiter's situation when he was drafted, Rocker can pitch for us this year.

 

[saddles]

Okay, 2025 rotation.

Gray is signed through 2025.
Perez if given an extension
Leiter
Rocker

That leaves one space for either a trade acquisition, a free agent, Winn, or White. It also doesn't include having any other pitcher in our system deserving a chance at that 2025 rotation whoever it may be.

With that in mind, would it be a mistake to go out and trade for a pitcher at the deadline?

Does that change anyone's mind about needing to extend Perez, because he will most likely want a 3 to 5 year deal?

Should we pursue a free agent pitcher this coming offseason?

 

[DT LUNA]

Okay, 2025 rotation.

Gray is signed through 2025.
Perez if given an extension
Leiter
Rocker

That leaves one space for either a trade acquisition, a free agent, Winn, or White.

With that in mind, would it be a mistake to go out and trade for a pitcher at the deadline?

Does that change anyone's mind about needing to extend Perez, because he will most likely want a 3 to 5 year deal?

Should we pursue a free agent pitcher this coming offseason?

Tough call

 

[saddles]

Tough call

Yes, and it could mean spending lots of money or prospects in a trade to acquire pitching that we may be able to supply ourselves.

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

 

[Kelleyman]

Okay, 2025 rotation.

Gray is signed through 2025.
Perez if given an extension
Leiter
Rocker

That leaves one space for either a trade acquisition, a free agent, Winn, or White. It also doesn't include having any other pitcher in our system deserving a chance at that 2025 rotation whoever it may be.

With that in mind, would it be a mistake to go out and trade for a pitcher at the deadline?

Does that change anyone's mind about needing to extend Perez, because he will most likely want a 3 to 5 year deal?

Should we pursue a free agent pitcher this coming offseason?

My money is on White. But we need SP ready in AAA ready as well. If Pérez is not extended we will need pitching until the farm is ready

 

[saddles]