Buccos Cove

The battle for the #1 overall MLB Draft pick rages on at Vanderbilt between their two top pitchers. Kumar Rocker was the early favorite and is the leader of the Vanderbilt pitching staff. Ever since it was determined that the Pirates would officially have the #1 pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, the name Kumar Rocker has been synonymous with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Fans started the chant "Tank for Rocker" at the end of August last season so the team could have a shot at drafting the power right-hander from Vanderbilt. However, over the last year, Jack Leiter has gained traction as another first-round draft pick option. Both have been strong this year, and General Manager Ben Cherington has a big decision to make. While Leiter has great stuff, Kumar has that along with Big Game Experience. He led Vanderbilt to a College World Series Championship. Standing at 6'5, 245 pounds, Rocker is an imposing figure on the mound and he uses everything he has to generate velocity....

It has been a down year for the Pittsburgh Pirates as a whole, but they did have something go their way in last night's loss. They clinched at least the #2 pick in next year's MLB Draft. With a small marker team, no matter how successful or unsuccessful you are your eye is always towards the future. In 2020, the Pirates have been bad and are looking to replenish a farm system that is almost devoid of talent. That is why Friday night's loss, no matter how much it stung, was a positive for the future of the Pirates. With the loss, their record moves to 18-40 on the season and, with the Rangers win, they secured one of the top two picks in the 2021 MLB First-Year Player Draft. There are two clear-cut favorites to go in those two spots and the Pirates have their pick of one if not both talents. The two pitchers mentioned are Vanderbilt's Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter, who have both been powerhouses in the Vanderbilt rotation. For a Pirates team that severely lack...