Big Week for Texas Rangers’ Pitching Prospects: Promotions and Returns…
The Texas Rangers are set to promote their top pitching prospects, Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter, this week. Rocker is moving up to Triple-A Round Rock from Double-A Frisco and is scheduled to start on Wednesday. Leiter, who has spent most of his summer with Round Rock, is expected to rejoin the Rangers’ major league rotation, possibly making his start on Wednesday in Chicago.
Jacob deGrom, recovering from Tommy John surgery, is also on the comeback trail. He will make his second rehab start on Tuesday in Round Rock, after pitching two innings last Thursday in Frisco. deGrom, who last pitched in June 2023, aims to increase his pitch count to 45 and is expected to rejoin the Rangers around September 10 after a couple more minor league starts.
Rocker, who also had Tommy John surgery in May 2023, has been impressive in his return. The 2022 MLB Draft’s third overall pick has posted a 0.46 ERA with 29 strikeouts over 19 2/3 innings in five outings with Frisco. This promotion marks his first time playing above Double-A. Prior to his surgery, Rocker made six appearances with High-A Hickory in 2023.
Both 24 years old, Rocker and Leiter were college teammates at Vanderbilt before being drafted by the Rangers in consecutive years. Leiter was the second overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. While Leiter has had a few stints with the Rangers, his major league performances have been challenging. In three starts, he has allowed 17 earned runs over 9 1/3 innings, including three home runs, with opponents hitting .383 against him.
Leiter is anticipated to start against the White Sox on Wednesday, filling in for Max Scherzer, who isn’t ready to return from the injured list due to right shoulder soreness. Scherzer’s planned rehab start on Friday in Frisco was canceled.
The Texas Rangers are eagerly awaiting the contributions of their promising pitching prospects, Rocker and Leiter, as they continue to build for the future.
