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Moving Up! Big Week For Texas Rangers Pitching Rotation, Present And Future

Baseball — 08/27/2024

Texas Rangers pitching prospects Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter are anticipated to advance this week, with Rocker moving up to Triple-A and Leiter making the jump to the Majors.

May 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jack Leiter (35) throws during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Texas Rangers’ top two pitching prospects are set to be promoted this week.

Kumar Rocker is moving up from Double-A Frisco to Triple-A Round Rock and is scheduled to start Wednesday’s game. Meanwhile, Jack Leiter, who has spent much of the summer with Round Rock, is expected to join the Rangers’ rotation this week, with a likely start on Wednesday’s game in Chicago.

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Jacob deGrom, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, is slated to make his second rehab start on Tuesday in Round Rock. In his first outing since the June 2023 surgery, he allowed one run on two hits and struck out batters in two innings at Frisco. DeGrom is projected to increase his pitch count to 45 pitches after throwing 29 on Thursday, with plans to build up to 75 pitches over two additional minor league starts before rejoining the Rangers’ rotation around September 10.

Rocker, also recovering from May 2023 Tommy John surgery, has impressed with a 0.46 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings over five appearances with Frisco. This promotion to Triple-A will be his first experience above Double-A. Prior to his surgery, he made six appearances with High-A Hickory in 2023.

Rocker and Leiter, both 24, were teammates at Vanderbilt before being selected in consecutive MLB Drafts by the Rangers. Leiter was picked second overall in 2021.

Leiter has made three spot starts for the Rangers, but has faced challenges in those outings. His starts were on April 18 at Detroit, May 8 at Oakland, and May 14 against Cleveland in Arlington. Over 9 1/3 innings, he has given up 17 earned runs, three home runs, and opponents have hit .383 against him.

Leiter is slated to start against the White Sox on Wednesday, as Max Scherzer is not yet ready to return. Initially, the Rangers hoped Scherzer, who is on the injured list with right shoulder soreness, would take the mound. However, Scherzer’s rehab start scheduled for Friday in Frisco was canceled.