Kumar Rocker reportedly receives massive signing bonus from New York Mets above slot value
By Keith Farner
Published:
Vanderbilt’s Kumar Rocker has long been viewed as a top-five pick. So it was a bit of a surprise when he fell to the No. 10 pick and was ultimately taken by the New York Mets.
But the Mets reportedly will pay him as if he was a higher pick. The New York Post reported that the 21-year-old will receive a $6 million signing bonus. A source had told The Post’s Zach Braziller that there had been whispers of high financial demands. The slot value for the 10th pick is $4.74 million.
Meanwhile, the Tennessean reported that the slot value for the No. 5 pick is $6,180,700. Teams can exceed the slot value for a pick, so long as they do not exceed the their total allotment for their bonus pool. Teams that go over the bonus pool face hefty penalties, including fines and loss of draft picks.
Rocker is coming off of a standout junior season. Rocker made first-team All-SEC this season, posting a 14-4 record and 2.73 ERA in 122 innings over 20 games.
The #Mets’ signing bonus for Kumar Rocker is $6M
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 12, 2021
This was not a surprise, as ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan on Sunday reported that this would likely happen.
Kumar Rocker falling to the Mets with the 10th pick is a coup — and they’ll pay for it. While the top 10 has been full of guys signing for under slot, Rocker is expected to sign and likely to get paid like a top 5 pick. Mets are happy to get a player with his pedigree, ceiling.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 12, 2021
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
