Vanderbilt’s Jack Leiter Drafted By Texas Rangers, Kumar Rocker By New York Mets

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Kumar Rocker & Jack Leiter

Vanderbilt had another big day at the MLB Draft as the Commodores two best players and college baseball’s best pitchers Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker both got picked in the top 10 of the 2021 MLB Draft on Sunday night. Leiter went second overall, getting picked by the Texas Rangers while Rocker was picked by the New York Mets at the 10th pick.

Leiter became Vanderbilt’s seventh player to be taken in the top five of MLB Draft in program history. The New Jersey native was a unanimous first team All-American, and was selected as a finalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and Golden Spikes Award. The right-hander was also tabbed as the SEC Newcomer of the Year, and received All-SEC first team honors and Newcomer All-SEC recognition as well. Leiter registered 201 strikeouts across his two seasons, including a nation-leading 179 strikeouts in 2021. Leiter closed out the season ranking third in the country in hits allowed per nine innings with a mark of 3.93.

Rocker, a junior at Vanderbilt, is the third Commodore to be drafted by the New York Mets and the first since 1987 when the club selected David Joiner. Rocker wrapped up his sophomore season by being tabbed as a unanimous first team All-American, while also being selected as a finalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and Golden Spikes Award. He posted a 14-4 record on the mound this season, including 3-1 in the NCAA Tournament. The junior right-hander notched 179 strikeouts on the campaign, becoming the second player since 1988 to lead the nation in both strikeouts and wins in the same season. Former National Freshman of the Year and Most Outstanding Player of the 2019 College World Series, Rocker has tallied 321 career strikeouts over his three years, putting him fourth all-time in Vanderbilt history. His 179 strikeouts in 2021 tie him for the second-most in a single-season with teammate Leiter.

The second round of the MLB Draft begins tonight (July 12) with more Vanderbilt players are expected to get picked up.

Steven Boero
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