Draft Rocker?

[Trov]

First, I have little knowledge of all the draft prospects, other than what I read on here or other mock draft sites.  Also, I am not one that you draft for current need at the MLB level, but best player available.  However, Kumar Rocker offers an interesting situation.  First, at 8 in this draft, he might be the best player available, but he is expected to drop due to lack of leverage with signing, and possible future injury concern, although he could be an under slot value guy for that as well.  He was not offered a deal last year by Mets after they thought he arm might fall off, or something like that.  He did have surgery last fall, but is in an independent league lighting up the radar gun at 99.  I have not seen him, but clearly velo is not something to worry about right now.  Longer term health may be of concern.  

What made me want to write on him though is could he be a pen guy this year for us down the stretch?  Other college guys have done that sign and almost right to MLB level as a relief guy in the past.  Chris Sale was one that after he signed quickly after draft in 2010 he went right in as a pen guy down the stretch for White Sox and did well.  Could Rocker be that type?  Should he be?  Again, I am not saying you should target Rocker for that reason, but if not for injury concerns long term, I doubt he would fall to 8.  He fell last year due to injury questions, only to not be offered a contract.  

First, thoughts on drafting him at 8, is he a reach or a best player available?  Second, if you draft him at 8, would you be willing to move him to pen roll with possible call up this year?  

[TopGunn#22]

Excellent topic Trov !!  I don't have any in depth knowledge on this year's prospects either so my opinion isn't based in any kind of "logic."  But a kid who throws 99 mph and was a stalwart on a National Champion Vanderbilt team would sure have my consideration. 

How does the Twins medical staff feel about his short and long term prognosis ?  I know that Rice University over uses their pitchers, hence some of the issues with Canterino.  Vandy doesn't have quite the bad reputation that Rice has, but there's a reason Rocker could be available at #8.  

Depending on who else could fall to #8 as a "hitter" and how in love the Twins are with said hitter and if that hitter is a future SS or CF'er as opposed to a corner IF or OF I could see Rocker being better than any other pitcher at #8 and quite possibly better than any potential hitter.  And the possibility of using Rocker out of the bullpen immediately with the big club is certainly appealing.  

[dxpavelka]

now what ball club in their right mind wants a player who mighthelp them right away?

[ashbury]

19 minutes ago, dxpavelka said:

now what ball club in their right mind wants a player who mighthelp them right away?

Yes, because when did the desire for instant gratification ever lead anyone astray?

[IndianaTwin]

Interesting concept. 

But what makes him more likely to be MLB ready than other guys who just completed their senior year of college? That's essentially what he is, except that his "senior year" has been four games (and counting) in the Frontier League.

If it makes sense to draft him as a pick for the future, fine, but I don't see it happening on the basis of being a late-season addition.

[chpettit19]

Are we sure he fell in the draft last year because of injury concerns? I don't remember that being the reason. The injury concerns was why the Mets didn't offer him a deal, but he didn't provide medicals to the teams before the draft (if my memory serves) so I don't think the reason he fell was health related. 

From everything I've seen on him scouts have him rated in the middle to back end of the first round. Not on injury concerns, but on ability. Health has really messed up the entire top of the pitching class this year. I haven't seen anyone who rates Rocker as the best arm in the class on talent so I wouldn't want him at 8 anyways. Unless you are pretty darn positive you can get another top of the draft talent with your second pick and the money you save on Rocker. If you're going to ignore medical concerns with the arms in this class I'd take Lesko, Porter, Prielipp, Whisenhunt (not hurt, but got suspended this year), and maybe a few others over him this year.

I don't think this year is the year to reach for an arm in the top 10. I think it's pretty universally accepted that the top 10-12 players in the draft are hitters. Now there's the signability stuff, and draft pool games that are played that stop the best players from always being drafted first, but at 8 I want best player available, period. And I don't think Rocker is in that conversation.