Two Big Arms Squared Off in Northwest Georgia
May 4, 2018
Ringold, GA - North Oconee and Heritage met yesterday in the second round of the AAAA state playoffs. As you would expect, both teams threw their ace in game one, but, in this particular case, those aces also happen to be two of the best arms in the entire country. Georgia signee Cole Wilcox (#27 on the 2018 PBR Draft Board) going up against Vanderbilt singee Kumar Rocker (#10 on the list) created plenty of buzz all week in the scouting world and brought in a plethora of high level scouting personnel from Major League Baseball. As exciting as the game was, I am more excited about watching the progression of both of these uber-talented arms in the future.
Kumar Rocker RHP / North Oconee , GA / 2018An imposing figure on the mound, the 6-foot-6, 260-pounder has very long arms and is a good athlete. As a scout, you love his size but struggle to find major league comparisons for his unique build. He has a clean arm that works out of high ¾ slot relying on angle over life. Although he ran his fastball into the mid-90’s in this one, Rocker pitched off of his breaking ball at 77-81. He gets caught in between a curveball and slider at times, but flashes good shape and bite. The unteachables and upside are immense, but patience will be a large part of his development. |
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Cole Wilcox RHP / Heritage (Catoosa), GA / 2018A big kid in his own right, the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Wilcox has always been a “baseball player” on the mound and I have always felt good about his ability to compete. He too is very unique, but he is unique in the way his arm works (long arm action) and the slot he uses (low-3/4 to three-quarter). This is my second look of the spring and I would take the Wilcox that pitches from a true three-quarter arm slot over the lower version from earlier in the spring. He showed better life to a fastball that reached 97 mph and sat 93-95. He showed better shape on his slider and the feel for the change was markedly better. A team can sleep easy knowing the kind of competitor it is getting in Wilcox, but the consistency of his stuff/arm slot out of his longer arm action will determine his ultimate major league role.
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Heritage got things started in the first inning when Lance Dockery hit a solo homerun off a Rocker fastball and the Heritage Generals never looked back defeating North Oconee 6-3. Wilcox went the distance to earn the victory on the mound for Heritage, allowing three hits and three runs while striking out eight. Rocker took the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits and striking out three in four innings. A 7-5 win in game two of the series propels Heritage into the quarterfinals where it will take on West Laurens at home next week. This looks to be another good match-up as West Laurens brings to town top 2021 prospect Tyler Franks and 2018 Nolan Daniel (Tallahassee CC signee) who is striking hitters out at a significant clip.