Miami Marlins Draft Prospect: Pitcher Kumar Rocker

Miami Marlins Scouting Report

Fastball: 70

Rocker’s best pitch is his fastball that sits from 92-96. He has topped out at 98 during the Perfect Game All-American Classic.

The fastball has hard arm side run to it and he is able to hit the mid-90s with ease. It is a pitch that he locates well and he works on both corners of the plate. At times, his front side opens early which leads to the fastball flattening out and staying up over the middle of the plate. When that happens, Rocker runs the risk of getting hit pretty hard.

Slider: 60

The slider is a true plus pitch. He throws it in the mid-80s and he gets great tilt on the pitch. He is able to throw the pitch out of the same arm-slot as the fastball and the two pitches play well off of each other.

Rocker’s slider has the ability to be a true swing and miss pitch at the major league level.

Changeup: 50

Rocker’s changeup is his third pitch and the one that needs the most work. Evaluators believe that the pitch will develop into at least an average pitch which will really help Rocker get outs at the next level.

Like other hard-throwing high school pitchers, Rocker did not feature a changeup much at that level due to the fact that it was not needed to get outs. It would only allow high school hitters to be on time.

In pro ball, a mid-90s fastball is not enough for Rocker to blow it by anybody. Thus the development of his changeup could become crucial to his overall success.

Control: 50

Rocker has solid control with his three-pitch mix. At times he gets into a trend of throwing across his body, leading to him missing down and away with fastballs. He has also shown that he opens his front side that leads to flat, poorly located fastballs on occasion.

Yet, his overall command with his fastball is solid. Rocker works the outer black of each side of the plate really well. While his hard slider does have a sharp break, a little more consistency in the strike zone will be a key for Rocker.