Former Vandy star Rocker is back on mound in minors

Kumar Rocker TROY, N.Y. — was back where he belongs, on a pitcher’s mound throwing his blazing fastball in a live game after being idle for nearly a year.

The former Vanderbilt star right-hander started Saturday night for the Tri-city Valleycats of the independent Frontier League, and his first experience as a pro ended after four innings of work, the first three nearly flawless.

“It was a long year, a lot of work put in,” said Rocker, whose parents were there to take it all in. “I’m glad to see good results. I had a process. When I got the start date, it was attack, attack, attack — go out there and do my thing.”

With a slew of major league scouts at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium on hand to get a glimpse of Rocker’s first game since last June 30, the hard-throwing, 6-foot-5, 245-pounder breezed through the first three innings against the Trois-riviéres Aigles, his fastball topping out at over 98 mph to go with an effective changeup, curveball and a sometimes nasty slider. He threw 38 pitches and struck out five, all but the first one swinging, and allowed just a bloop single.

“I thought he pitched great for a guy that hasn’t pitched in a year,” Tri-city manager Pete Incaviglia said. “He had good command. I think he made one mistake. Everything else was really good. I was thoroughly impressed.”

Three years ago, Rocker led Vanderbilt to a College World Series title as a freshman. As a junior he was drafted No. 10 overall last year by the New York Mets.

He then walked away from the Mets when the two sides failed to reach an agreement by the August deadline over concerns about the health of his right arm. He was the only first-rounder not to sign.

Now 22, Rocker signed a minor league contract with Tri-city in mid-may.