RADIO
Kumar Rocker is a fantasy baseball SP prospect sleeper and minor leaguer to know. Read our MLB prospects outlooks for fantasy baseball rookies and call-ups.
PROSPECT: Kumar Rocker, SP, Texas Rangers
ANALYSIS: The Rangers owned the third overall pick in last summer's draft, but they had limited bonus pool funds, so while Kumar Rocker was a surprise pick to many when he signed for more than $2 million below slot, the pick made a lot more sense for the big Vanderbilt righty.
The Rangers saw what pushing Rocker's former teammate Jack Leiter too quickly did for him, so they slow-rolled Rocker, letting him make his pro debut in the Arizona Fall League, where he struggled with location, walking 12 in 14 innings. After that performance, Rocker beginning in High-A this season was locked in.
Rocker has responded well for Hickory, posting a 2.19 ERA and 0.81 WHIP over 12 1/3 innings. His fastball has been heavy and hard to drive, and his elite slider has been generating plenty of swing-and-miss, resulting in a 20/3 K/BB rate.
VERDICT: Rocker has struggled to show his top-end stuff that he featured as a collegian. His name value led to him being drafted in a number of FYPDs this offseason, but his value hasn't caught up with his talent quite yet. He could be a smart trade target in deep dynasty leagues, but wait until he's shown it at Double-A before buying in shallow leagues.
More Fantasy Baseball Analysis
Chandler Simpson - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 12)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues CALL-UP ETA: July ANALYSIS: Unlike many players currently in the minor leagues, Chandler Simpson has proven he can be a valuable fantasy player at the MLB level. In his time in the majors, he hit .285 with 19 stolen bases in 35 games. Unfortunately, being a valuable fantasy player […]
Brady House - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 12)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-team leagues CALL-UP ETA: June ANALYSIS: The Nationals went viral on social media this week for making a fun call-up. They called up their bat dog from Triple-A. While this was very cute and should improve the vibes a little bit in Washington, I don't think Bruce the Bat Dog will help […]
Samuel Basallo - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 12)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-team leagues CALL-UP ETA: June ANALYSIS: Samuel Basallo might be the best hitter in the minors right now, and he has catcher eligibility. What more do you need to know (I know catcher is super deep this year, but still)? Basallo has been an age-to-level monster for the majority of his pro […]
Andrew Painter - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 12)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-team leagues CALL-UP ETA: June ANALYSIS: Painter's last two starts don't give a ton of confidence that he is ready to be in the majors. It may not even be before the All-Star break before we see him, but that does not mean we are in stash territory. The good news is, […]
Colby Thomas - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 12)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues CALL-UP ETA: July ANALYSIS: The A's continue to lose, and Colby Thomas continues to hit homers in Triple-A. The A's just got swept by the Angels, bringing their record to 26-44. While plays like Denzel Clarke's HR robbery can generate a spark for a team, the A's might need […]
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!
Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!
