New York Mets unlikely to sign Vanderbilt pitcher Kumar Rocker, per report

It looks like Kumar Rocker isn’t going to the Big Apple.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel reported Sunday afternoon that Rocker and the New York Mets are unlikely to reach a deal. The Mets, who selected Rocker in this year’s Draft, appear unwilling to sign the Vanderbilt right-hander due to injury concerns.

The report states that the deal, worth $6 million, is unlikely to occur because of the aftermath of Rocker’s physical. It does state that it’s possible the deal happens at the 11th hour, but it’s looking very unlikely.

Rocker, 21, whose dominance at Vanderbilt made him the most well-known college player in perhaps a decade, had an agreement in place to sign for $6 million after he slipped down draft boards earlier this month. But the deal fell apart following his physical examination, and multiple sources said they do not expect a revised one to come together before the deadline.
The possibility of the Mets and Rocker coming to an 11th-hour agreement always exists, and past deals that looked dead were eventually consummated. But the momentum in recent days, and the expectation of multiple sources, is that the Mets are unlikely to change their stance.

Should Rocker not sign with the Mets, the club is going to receive the 11th pick in next year’s MLB Draft. It’s unclear what it means for Rocker, as he could come back to Nashville or pursue other options. Needless to say though, this, unfortunately, is very sour for Rocker with how things have played themselves out.