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Philadelphia Phillies: 3 pitchers to target in the 2022 MLB draft

By Zach Ciavolella

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 25: A detailed view of the cap and glove belonging to Tommy Joseph #19 of the Philadelphia Phillies sits on the dugout steps during a game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on June 25, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 25: A detailed view of the cap and glove belonging to Tommy Joseph #19 of the Philadelphia Phillies sits on the dugout steps during a game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on June 25, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia Phillies
Jun 30, 2021; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores pitcher Kumar Rocker (80) pitches in the first inning against the Mississippi St. Bulldogs at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Kumar Rocker RHP

Kumar Rocker is an interesting prospect for a number of reasons. First, it’s important to let his body of work speak for itself. Rocker has spent the past four seasons between his former college Vanderbilt and more recently, the Tri-City Valley Cats. The Valley Cats are a team based out of Troy, NY, that is a part of the “Frontier League,” an independent baseball league.

With Vanderbilt, Rocker most recently averaged a 2.73 ERA in 20 starts, leading to a record of 14-4 in his junior season. Rocker would then go on to enter the MLB draft in 2021, being selected by the New York Mets 10th overall. Obviously, Kumar Rocker did not end up as a Met as there was a red flag during his post-draft physical, and the team and he could not reach an agreement. This is what led him to pitching for the Valley Cats last season.

Rocker would perform very well in his sole season with Tri-City pitching five total games, all without a loss, and an ERA of 1.35. The talented pitcher now finds himself back in the draft-day conversation as he looks to finally have a home in the Majors.

While he has a bevy of pitches at his disposal, including an impressive fastball (95-98 MPH), Rocker’s calling card is normally his slider, one of the best breaking balls in the draft. The Mets angle is just the icing on the cake here as Philadelphia would get themselves a high-end arm talent who will be ready to contribute sooner than later.

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