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Rocker set to make history as first MLB player of Indian descent to debut
When Rangers right-hander Kumar Rocker takes the mound for his MLB debut against the Mariners in Seattle on Thursday at 8:40 p.m. CT, it will mark the culmination of a long journey for MLB Pipeline’s No. 95 overall prospect. It will also represent a significant moment in baseball history, with Rocker becoming the first player of Indian descent to appear in the Majors.
- What to expect from Kumar Rocker
“It definitely means a lot to me,” Rocker, the son of an Indian mother and Black father, told USA TODAY Sports. “I think it means more to my mom. She always let me know that I was Indian growing up, being half and half. And I think she’s going to be really happy about it.”
Rocker’s mother Lalitha’s parents immigrated to the United States in 1965. The pitcher’s first name, which means “prince” or “young son” in Hindi, is a nod to his Indian heritage, as Lalitha, or Lu, explained to the Dallas Morning News after her son was selected third overall by the Rangers in the 2022 MLB Draft.
“When I had him, I said, ‘You know what? We’re going to give him an Indian first name so they know my half of the culture,’” Lu said.
Both Lu and Rocker’s father, Tracy — a College Football Hall of Famer who played for Auburn and a former NFL player who now serves as the defensive line coach for the Tennessee Titans — are among the family and friends expected to be in attendance in Seattle on Thursday for Rocker’s debut.
“Hopefully, I can give them a show to watch,” Rocker said.
Rocker’s debut will come more than three years after he threw his final college pitch for Vanderbilt. A highly touted Draft prospect, Rocker was initially selected by the Mets with the 10th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. However, New York didn’t end up signing him after the 6-foot-5, 245-pound righty took his physical.
After undergoing right shoulder surgery in September 2021, Rocker signed with the Tri-City Valley Cats of the Frontier League in advance of the 2022 MLB Draft. Months later, the Rangers shocked the baseball world when they took Rocker with the third overall pick.
However, Rocker’s rise through Texas’ system was delayed when he needed to undergo Tommy John surgery in May 2023. Rocker returned to action this past July, and though he initially struggled, he earned his promotion to the big leagues with a dominant stretch that saw him record a 0.91 ERA with 47 strikeouts and four walks over 29 2/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A.
