Former Mets draft pick RHP Kumar Rocker surprisingly was selected No. 3 overall by the Texas Rangers on Sunday night in the 2022 MLB Draft in Los Angeles.
The Mets drafted Rocker No. 10 overall in the 2021 MLB Draft out of Vanderbilt, but the team had concerns over his health and did not sign him. They received a compensatory pick, No. 11 overall this year, for not signing Rocker.
Rocker signed with the Tri-City ValleyCats of the independent Frontier League on May 13. The RHP started five games for them, striking out 32 over 20.0 IP with a 1.35 ERA. He is now reunited in Texas with his former college teammate, 2021 No. 2 overall pick Jack Leiter.
SNY's Andy Martino reported last summer that the Mets did not try to get a discount from Rocker's $6 million slot value and that the deal did not fall apart over money.
Rocker, who is represented by Scott Boras, did not release his medical information to teams prior to the draft. Per Martino, that was not a decision unique to Rocker.
Rocker had shoulder surgery in September 2021, undergoing "a minor scope" on his right arm, according to ESPN.