Mets acting general manager Zack Scott declined to comment when asked for an update on unsigned first-round pick Kumar Rocker on Monday, but the holdup is reportedly due to health concerns regarding the Vanderbilt star’s elbow.
According to Ken Davidoff of the New York Post, the team has concerns about Rocker’s elbow after his physical, though Rocker’s camp disagrees with those concerns. The 10th overall pick agreed to a signing bonus of $6 million pending a physical when he was drafted, but that physical is reportedly the cause of the delay.
The signing deadline is Sunday at 5 p.m. The two sides could either agree to a smaller deal, agree to the original bonus or go their separate ways. If the latter route unfolds, Rocker could go back to pitch for Vanderbilt as a senior and be eligible to be drafted again in 2022. Per the current Basic Agreement, the Mets would get a makeup pick next year if an agreement isn’t made, which would be 11th in next year’s draft.
The 21-year-old Rocker didn’t miss any time this past season, where he pitched 122 innings and posted a 2.73 ERA with 179 strikeouts.
This would not be the first time a team and a top-10 pick have parted ways due to a health dispute. The Astros took southpaw pitcher Brady Aiken with the first overall pick in 2014, but drastically decreased their signing offer after a physical revealed inflammation in his left elbow. Aiken declined and was taken 17th overall by Cleveland the following season.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch