Chris Young was talking about Kumar Rocker’s struggles in camp so far. Two innings pitched, eight earned runs. It led him to recall his first spring training with Bruce Bochy back in 2006, after Texas traded Young to San Diego.
A young pitcher wanted to make an impression on his manager. He did, alright. But not the way he wanted. Young allowed twenty two earned runs in twenty innings, with fourteen walks.
During the regular season, Young went 11-5 with a 3.46 ERA in thirty-one starts. His miserable spring was forgotten.
They are hoping the same for Kumar Rocker. As Young told Kennedi Landry from TexasRangers.com, Rocker’s really close. His stuff is there, his command is just a bit off.
“These guys are not robots,” he reminded her, and us. So, they sent Rocker to the Rangers pitching lab to work on his breaking ball.
It wasn’t announced when Rocker will get his next start. But the Rangers need drafting and development success story when it comes to pitching. Rocker is their hope.
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TODAY’S CACTUS LEAGUE GAME:
Los Angeles Angels vs Texas, 3:05
Radio: MLB Audio