2 Vanderbilt Pitchers Appear In Top 10 Of Latest Mock Draft

Roughly a month away from Major League Baseball’s draft, CBSSports.com released their latest mock draft, which forecasts two Vanderbilt pitchers being picked within the first 10 selections. It should come as no surprise that Vandy has two hurlers projected so high. The Commadores are just days away from squaring off with Arizona in the College World Series. Since last season’s series was canceled, Vanderbilt returns as defending champions, having won it all in 2019.

CBSSports.com has Louisville catcher Henry Davis penciled in to the Pittsburgh Pirates with the first pick, followed by two shortstops coming off the board with the second and third selections. Then, the first of two Vanderbilt pitchers finds a home. Right-hander Jack Leiter is mocked to the Red Sox with the fourth overall pick. The right-hander has good genes. He’s the son of former Major League hurler Al Leiter. The 21-year-old registered 146 strikeouts over 89 innings this season and complied a 9-3 record.

A second righty from the Commadores' pitching staff, Kumar Rocker, who is slated to start the College World Series opener, is mocked to the Kansas City Royals with the seventh pick. Rocker is an intimidating presence on the hill, standing 6’5 and weighing a bagel under 250 lbs. In 16 starts this season, Rocker flamed 144 batters in 98 and 1/3 innings and posted a 12-3 record.

Before next month’s draft, which will be held in conjunction with Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game festivities (July 11th – 13th), Vandy will first attempt to repeat as College World Series Champions. If Rocker performs anywhere close to the way he did in the 2019 series, when he went 2-0 and won the Most Outstanding Player award, Vanderbilt will likely send two top 10 draft picks to the majors as national champions.