The former first-round draft pick gets his first MLB taste so that the Texas Rangers can evaluate his future.
The Texas Rangers might have had a day off Monday, but the news did not.
Right around school pickup time, the Rangers announced that right-hander Kumar Rocker, the club’s top prospect and 2022 first-round pick, would make his MLB debut Thursday at Seattle.
General manager Chris Young was in transit to Phoenix, where the Rangers will open a two-game series tonight at the site of the best moment in franchise history. They will also be welcoming Rocker to the club and giving him some time to get cozy with his new surroundings.
And they will be trying to juggle their rotation. Jacob deGrom is expected to start Friday, which will give the Rangers six starters for five spots. Max Scherzer is thought to be coming back, but the Rangers aren’t penciling him in just yet because they’ve been here before with the three-time Cy Young winner.
The odd starter out could be Jack Leiter, who could fall into a piggyback with deGrom or Scherzer. The Rangers want to make sure he keeps getting his innings and experience, and maybe he does end up starting.
Young, though, indicated that Nathan Eovaldi and Andrew Heaney aren’t going to the rotation. Cody Bradford also seems to be a rotation lock for the rest of the season.
Heaney is a free agent after the season and might not return. The same goes for Scherzer. Eovaldi could take free agency instead of his player option. Right-handers Jon Gray and Tyler Mahle are under contract for 2025, but for a combined $31.5 million.
With the state of the Rangers’ TV situation, money could be at a premium and three starters making the league minimum at a combined $2.28 million might look pretty good when it comes time to balance the budget.
So, Rocker will be making his MLB debut this week. The Rangers want to evaluate him for the 2025 rotation and get him comfortable for a longer stay next season.
Rocker has dominated in the minors. He has earned the opportunity to debut this season and will get a chance to be in the 2025 rotation. Considering some looming financial constraints, he might already be in it.
Return to Chase
The last time the Rangers were at Chase Field was Nov. 1, 2023, the night they clinched the first World Series in franchise history. They were eventually forced to vacate the ballpark, but they didn’t go back to the hotel and go to bed.
The Rangers very likely aren’t going back to the World Series this season. They need to keep winning, which they’ve done 10 times in the past 13 games, and need some help from the teams ahead of them in the postseason picture.
Manager Bruce Bochy hopes that player will be inspired by the wave of happy memories that will rush over them as they enter the ballpark and return to the visiting clubhouse they thoroughly doused with beer and champagne.
“There’s nothing more special than when you clinch a championship somewhere,” Bochy said. “When we walk in that clubhouse, you can’t help but have a good vibe. Hopefully some good memories go through their heads to just remind them of who they are and how good they are.”
The Rangers are coming off of their best homestand of the season and are riding the best 13-game stretch of their season (10-3) into the quick two-game series against a contending Diamondbacks team.
To continue the hot stretch, the Rangers need to reverse their road woes. They are only 29-40 away from Globe Life Field but play 12 of their final 18 games on the road.
“That’s a ballclub that’s been playing really well. We need to come in on our A game,” second baseman Marcus Semien said. “Now, it’s time to play better on the road.”
DIFD reminder
We are less than two months away from the 10th anniversary Do It For Durrent event Nov. 8. It’s another doubleheader, with golf at Grapevine Golf Course and the freaking Josh Abbott Band that night at Texas Live!
To get tickets:
VIP seats or the opportunity to sponsor a Decade of Giving, click here.
For general admission, click here.
This year marks 10 years since Richard Durrett, the tireless DFW sports media personality, died suddenly and left behind two young kids and a pregnant wife. We’ve been helping families ever since, first the Durretts with our first event and then dozens of area families affected by the sudden loss of a parent.
As usual, there will be a kick-ass silent auction and live auction filled with sports memorabilia and experiences.
This is always a great event, and DIFD has built a great community. This one might be the best yet.
Doggy video!
Probably dreaming of Rocker pitching Thursday. Enjoy.
Jeff Wilson, jwilson@alldlls.com
