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41 articles
TEX • Pitcher • #80
1 day ago
The Pirates scratched across a run after an Oneil Cruz single, stolen base, and run-scoring single from Ryan O’Hearn. After that, Rocker retired 13 consecutive hitters and cruised to both a quality start and win. As he’s done all season so far, it was a heavy dose of sinkers and sliders all night. Those two pitches accounted for 77 of the 88 he threw in total. He now has a 3.46 ERA and 20:8 strikeout to walk ratio over 20 2/3 innings so far this season. His next start is scheduled to come against the Athletics at home this Sunday.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
7 days ago
Rocker struck out six, but he also walked four and his velocity was down across the board. None of it bodes well, and though his next scheduled start at home against the Pirates is very tempting, he seems like weak play at the moment,
TEX • Pitcher • #80
12 days ago
Rocker, who gave up two homers to Max Muncy, induced just eight misses on 41 swings and had a 19-percent CSW tonight. He seems like a weak play next week against the A’s in Sacramento.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
19 days ago
In spite of the lengthy layoff, Rocker was pretty sharp tonight in striking out three and walking one. The 26-year-old started ramping up his slider usage this spring and kept at it tonight, throwing the pitch one-third of the time. Interestingly, itaveraged 85.8 mph, up from 84.5 mph this spring and 84.2 mph last year. Rocker wasn’t enough of a strikeout pitcher to succeed last year, when he finished with a 5.74 ERA in 14 starts, but a harder slider could help there. Now isn’t the time to go picking him up, though, as he’s due to face the Dodgers next weekend.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
19 days ago
Rocker had his first start pushed back earlier this week after a minor neck issue with ace Jacob deGrom forced Texas the reshuffle their rotation. The 26-year-old former first-rounder won the final spot in the club’s season-opening rotation out of spring training and will get the ball opposite Reds pitching prospect Rhett Lowder on Saturday afternoon at Globe Life Field. He’s been extremely unpredictable from a results standpoint, so a wait-and-see approach is advisable for fantasy managers in shallow formats.
Source: MLB.com
TEX • Pitcher • #80
about 1 month ago
Rocker gets the nod to open the season in Texas’ rotation with Jacob Latz heading to the bullpen. It qualifies as a bit of a surprise considering how inconsistent the former top prospect was in his opportunities with the Rangers last year. The 26-year-old has turned in an impressive spring with a 4.26 ERA and 14/3 K/BB ratio across 12 2/3 innings of work. He’s talented enough to make a fantasy impact, especially in deeper mixed leagues, but there’s enough evidence to suggest a wait-and-see approach in shallower formats.
Source: Jared Sandler
TEX • Pitcher • #80
about 1 month ago
We were rather hoping Rocker might emerge as the Rangers’ closer at some point, but he’s making a strong case for a rotation spot right now. He topped out at 98.5 mph tonight, and his average fastball was up a bit more than one mph from last year. His slider generated nine whiffs on 12 swings, and both times it was put into play, it resulted in soft contact. He still doesn’t project as a mixed-league option at this point, but his stock is climbing.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
about 1 month ago
Rocker is one of the more challenging pitchers to evaluate for fantasy purposes since he seems likely to open the year back at Triple-A Round Rock and has been all over the place from a performance standpoint in the big leagues over the past two years. The 26-year-old former top prospect looked outstanding in this relief outing, piling up 11 swinging strikes and averaging 96.4 mph on his sinker. It’s possible he’ll break camp in the big leagues as a swingman capable of gobbling up multiple innings but that would certainly limit his fantasy appeal.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
about 2 months ago
The run came on a Lucas Rojo homer, so the other six hits did no damage. Still, Rocker hasn’t been overly impressive this spring, and he should be in line behind Jacob Latz for the Rangers’ lone rotation opening.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
about 2 months ago
Rocker struck out one batter in the contest and didn’t allow a base on balls. Despite allowing three hits in the first two innings, the 26-year-old righty was able to pitch around any damage, helped out by a caught stealing in the second. He wasn’t as fortunate in the third though as the Brewers used a hit batsman and a pair of singles to push a run across while another of those runs scored after Rocker exited. He got three whiffs on 40 pitches in the contest, posting a CSW of just 18 percent. He looks to be on the outside looking in for a spot in the Rangers’ Opening Day rotation.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
2 months ago
Rocker is back in the mix for a rotation spot this spring after finishing last year in the minors, but he’s probably something of an underdog at this point. Depending on how he performs and how the rest of the rotation is looking, a move to the pen might be in the offing at some point this year. His stuff seems pretty average as a starter, but he could be a weapon in short relief if the fastball comes up a bit.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
9 months ago
There simply isn’t a spot for Rocker in the Rangers’ rotation after picking up veteran Merrill Kelly at the trade deadline. The 25-year-old righty allowed three runs over 4 2/3 innings on Thursday against the Mariners, which likely sealed his fate. The 25-year-old former top prospect holds a lackluster 5.74 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 56/23 K/BB ratio across 64 1/3 innings (14 starts) this season in the majors.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
9 months ago
In what might be his final start in the rotation, Rocker had some good moments, but things fell apart in the middle innings. After firing three scoreless, he uncorked a wild pitch that scored Eugenio Suárez in the fourth, and then he gave up a pair of roundtrippers to Cole Young and Cal Raleigh, respectively. If Rocker does make another start it’ll be against the Yankees next week, and fantasy managers should look elsewhere either way. It just seems impossible to imagine he isn’t the odd-man out with Merrill Kelly joining the fold.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
9 months ago
Rocker loaded the bases with two walks and a base hit in the first inning, but was able to escape with just one run on the board for the Braves. Two hits in the second brought a second run in for Atlanta. A walk and a double made put a third run on the board in the fourth. Rocker’s day would be done after four frames. He struck out five. The 25-year-old right-hander will take a 5.73 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and a 53/21 K/BB ratio across 59 2/3 innings into a start against the Mariners in Seattle on Thursday.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
9 months ago
Rocker was excellent on Saturday against the Tigers. He had walked three batters through five shutout innings, holding Detroit without a hit until Wenceel Pérez knocked a base hit with two outs in the sixth. Rocker would record the first out in the seventh and end his day at 96 pitches with five strikeouts. It was the best start of Rocker’s career thus far. The 25-year-old right-hander will take a 5.66 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and a 48/18 K/BB ratio across 55 2/3 innings into a start against the Braves in Texas on Friday.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
10 months ago
Rocker allowed three homers over 4 1/3 innings, and he struck out a pair with one walk. He was fortunate that his pitching opponent, Kyle Hendricks, was just as bad when he was on the mound, so it’s a no-decision despite the scuffles. Rocker still has long-term upside, but just isn’t quite good enough to justify as a fantasy option at this stage of his career.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
10 months ago
Rocker gave up four hits, walked two and struck out four. With the Rangers leading 2-1 in the sixth inning, Fernando Tatis Jr. tripled to right field on a fly ball that Adolis Garcia certainly could’ve caught. Two batters later, Rocker was out of the game. The Padres were able to tie the game there and eventually win in extra-innings. Rocker has a 41/14 K/BB ratio in 45 innings. His 3.91 xFIP is well below his 5.80 ERA. Rocker will face the Angels on the road next week.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
10 months ago
Rocker gave up four hits, walked one and struck out six. The 25-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA to 6.13, but his 3.76 xFIP shows he’s been terribly unlucky this year. Rocker has a .358 BABIP and 63 percent left on base percentage, both of which are due to improve. Rocker has a 37/12 K/BB ratio in 39 2/3 innings over nine starts. He’s lined up to face the Padres on the road next weekend.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
10 months ago
Rocker struck out five and got 12 whiffs in the 89-pitch outing. All five hits he allowed were singles. Since the Rangers have next Thursday off, they could send Rocker down to have another fresh arm available in the coming days. Still, he’s pitched well enough in two starts since his latest callup to justify sticking around. Of course, it helps that he’s faced the White Sox and Pirates, but he’s lowered his ERA from 8.87 to 6.68. If he sticks around, he’ll face the Mariners next.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
10 months ago
The 25-year-old right-hander racked up six strikeouts on the afternoon. Rocker was pressed into emergency action on Sunday with Tyler Mahle (shoulder) hitting the injured list, and he made a statement that he’s here to stay this time around. All four of the hits that he allowed in the contest were singles and only once did the White Sox have a baserunner reach third base against him. Rocker got eight swings and misses on 82 pitches on the afternoon, posting a CSW of 28 percent. He’ll look to further improve upon his 7.31 ERA and 1.69 WHIP (28 1/3 innings) when he squares off against the Pirates in Pittsburgh on Saturday.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
10 months ago
Rocker draws the starting assignment for Sunday’s game against the White Sox with veteran Tyler Mahle hitting the injured list with shoulder soreness. The 25-year-old is a captivating talent, but the results simply haven’t been there this season in the majors. He’s recorded a bloated 8.87 ERA across 23 1/3 innings (six starts) and is not a recommended streaming option for fantasy purposes, even in a tasty matchup against a rebuilding Chicago club.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
10 months ago
Rocker will make his return to the Texas pitching staff, and it comes at the expense of Tyler Mahle; who is likely headed to the injured list due to shoulder soreness. Rocker obviously has the stuff to be a strong fantasy option, and the White Sox lineup just as obviously offers opportunity. There’s certainly risk because of Rocker’s shaky command at times, but the risk comes with considerable potential reward.
Source: Evan Gratn
TEX • Pitcher • #80
11 months ago
Fresh off the injured list, the 25-year-old right-hander was blasted for five runs on six hits and a pair of walks over 3 1/3 innings in a loss to the Rays on Wednesday. Rather than taking the ball again next week, the Rangers will have him work to get back on track in a minor league setting for now. It’s unclear who will start in his place on Tuesday against the Twins in Minneapolis.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
11 months ago
Things started fine here for Rocker. Brandon Lowe took him deep in the first inning, but he blew the Rays away in the second by striking out the side on 10 pitches. His velocity was up, he was throwing strikes, this felt like a triumphant return. However, things unraveled in the third when he coughed up five hits and four runs over 30 pitches. A handful of those hits either stayed on the infield or were blooped in front of Adolis García in right field. Still, Rocker did little to limit the damage. As has happened too often this season, he went away from his slider and threw only sinkers and surprisingly, cutters. He had only thrown one cutter so far this season before this start according to Baseball Savant and became predictable by only using two different pitches. There have been rumblings that the Rangers are considering moving Rocker to the bullpen as their closer and a start like this makes that seem more plausible.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
11 months ago
Rocker returns to take the ball on Wednesday night at hitter-friendly Steinbrenner Field against the Rays in place of an injured Nathan Eovaldi (triceps) after missing nearly six weeks with a shoulder impingement. The 25-year-old former top pitching prospect is talented enough to make a serious impact for fantasy purposes, but the results simply haven’t been there this season. We’re recommending a wait-and-see approach, especially since Rocker is likely the odd-man out once Eovaldi is ready to return in a couple weeks.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
11 months ago
Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young confirmed to reporters that Rocker will return to the big leagues to take the ball on Wednesday in place of an injured Nathan Eovaldi (triceps). The 25-year-old righty struck out five over four hitless innings on Thursday in his final minor league rehab start for Triple-A Round Rock. His sky-high potential makes him intriguing for fantasy purposes, but he’s struggled to a bloated 8.10 ERA across 20 innings (five starts) this season in the majors.
Source: Kennedi Landry
TEX • Pitcher • #80
11 months ago
Rocker averaged 97.3 mph with his fastball in his second rehab start since going down with a shoulder impingement. That’s two mph better than he averaged in his five major league starts before going down. It isn’t certain that the Rangers are going to make room for him in their rotation once he’s ready to be activated, but another performance like last night’s in his next rehab start would make it hard to pass him over.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
11 months ago
Rocker averaged 97.3 mph with his fastball in his second rehab start since going down with a shoulder impingement. That’s two mph better than he averaged in his five major league starts before going down. It isn’t certain that the Rangers are going to make room for him in their rotation once he’s ready to be activated, but another performance like last night’s in his next rehab start would make it hard to pass him over.
TEX • Pitcher • #80
11 months ago
Rocker’s impending return has been one of the most hotly debated issues in the sport recently. There’s an outside chance the Rangers will consider utilizing him in relief, but the club shot down reports that he was being considered as a potential closer. The 25-year-old former top prospect is expected to throw roughly 60 pitches in his upcoming rehab outing as he continues to work his way back from a shoulder impingement.
Source: Jeff Wilson
TEX • Pitcher • #80
11 months ago
They said it hasn’t been discussed, though we’re guessing it’s been tossed around by at least a few of the 20 or so people in the front office and the additional 50 or so in baseball operations. But no one likes to admit that anything ever gets discussed. Rocker is slated to make a second rehab start this week. He pitched three scoreless innings for Double-A Frisco on Friday.
Source: Jeff Wilson