New York Mets don't sign first-round draft pick Kumar Rocker before deadline
The New York Mets did not sign right-hander Kumar Rocker, the 10th overall pick in the amateur draft, before Sunday's 5 p.m. ET signing deadline.
"This is clearly not the outcome we had hoped for and wish Kumar nothing but success moving forward," acting Mets general manager Zack Scott said in a statement. "We're excited about the players we have signed and look forward to watching them develop and contribute to the organization in the years to come."
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 as the Mets expressed concern over the health of Rocker's arm, sources said.
Rocker's agent, Scott Boras, said in a statement that his client is healthy.
"Kumar Rocker is healthy according to independent medical review by multiple prominent baseball orthopedic surgeons. Immediately upon conclusion of his collegiate season, he had an MRI on both his shoulder and his elbow. When compared with his 2018 MRIs, the medical experts found no significant change. Kumar requires no medical attention and will continue to pitch in the regular course as he prepares to begin his professional career," he said.
The Mets will receive the 11th pick in the 2022 draft as compensation for not signing Rocker.
Entire article:
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id...mar-rocker-concerns-physical-exam-sources-say
"Kumar Rocker is healthy according to independent medical review by multiple prominent baseball orthopedic surgeons. Immediately upon conclusion of his collegiate season, he had an MRI on both his shoulder and his elbow. When compared with his 2018 MRIs, the medical experts found no significant change.
the deal fell apart following his physical examination as the Mets expressed concern over the health of Rocker's arm, sources said.
Well, it's either:
1) he injured himself after the MRIs?
2) his agent is just "blowing smoke".
3) the Mets came down with a case of the MLB draft equivalent of "buyer's remorse".
