The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University

The Vanderbilt Hustler

The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University.
Since 1888
The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University

The Vanderbilt Hustler

The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University.
The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University

The Vanderbilt Hustler

The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University.

2021 MLB Draft: Kumar Rocker drafted tenth overall by the New York Mets

Three legendary years on West End paved the way for Kumar Rocker to become Vanderbilt’s 12th top-ten pick since 2003.
Kumar+Rocker+joined+Jack+Leiter+as+Vanderbilts+second+draftee+in+the+2021+class.+%28Vanderbilt+Athletics%29.
Kumar Rocker joined Jack Leiter as Vanderbilt’s second draftee in the 2021 class. (Vanderbilt Athletics).

Former national champion and College World Series Most Outstanding Player Kumar Rocker was drafted by the New York Mets with the tenth overall pick in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft. He became Vanderbilt’s 12th top-ten draft pick since 2003 and joined teammate Jack Leiter, who was selected just eight picks before him, as its second draftee in the 2021 class.

Rocker leaves Vanderbilt fourth in program history in strikeouts (318) and with a 7-1 NCAA Tournament record to his name. The former Gatorade Georgia Baseball Player of the Year arrived in Nashville as one of the most coveted high school pitching prospects in recent memory and lived up to his reputation, posting a career 2.89 ERA in over 236 innings pitched.

His Commodore career was highlighted by a memorable College World Series run in 2019 that featured a 19-strikeout super regional no-hitter—just the eighth no-hitter in NCAA Tournament history. 

 

“He’s a one in a million kid. His fibers are so real and so pure. He just loves team. He’s connected to competition…He will go down as one of the best we have ever had at Vanderbilt,” Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin said after Rocker’s final outing. “He’s meant so much to our program, he’s meant a lot to college baseball, he’s meant a lot to the SEC.”

The hard-throwing righty may now bring his coveted slider to New York’s farm system and his MLB arrival will be much anticipated by Mets fans everywhere.

Stay tuned to The Vanderbilt Hustler Sports section on Twitter for 2021 MLB Draft news.

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About the Contributor
Justin Hershey, Former Sports Editor
Justin Hershey ('22) was Sports Editor for The Vanderbilt Hustler. He has been on staff since freshman year, previously serving as a Staff Writer, Deputy Sports Editor and Lead Sports Analyst. He majored in human and organizational development with minors in business and economics. In addition to writing, he hosts The Hustler Sports 30 Podcast, enjoys playing golf and is waiting for his hometown Philadelphia 76ers to complete The Process. For tips and comments, feel free to reach out to: [email protected]    
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