MLB Draft: 3 former Georgia high school players selected in first round

DENVER, Colo. — Three former Georgia high school players heard their name called in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft Sunday night.

Kumar Rocker, Brady House and Harry Ford were drafted consecutively with the No. 10, No. 11 and No. 12 picks by the Mets, Nationals and Mariners.

Channel 2 Action News previously profiled all three players as our Montlick & Associates Athlete of the Week. Here is a look at their careers and what a future in the pros could look like.

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Kumar Rocker, RHP, North Oconee High School/Vanderbilt, No. 10 pick by New York Mets

Rocker graduated from North Oconee High School in 2018. He is the son of former Auburn lineman and College Football Hall of Famer Tracy Rocker.

Kumar Rocker was a two-sport athlete for North Oconee and also lettered in football for two years. The right-handed pitcher decided to stick with baseball and played two seasons at Vanderbilt University.

As a freshman, Rocker led the Commodores to a College World Series title in 2019, threw a no-hitter during the postseason and was named the CWS Most Outstanding Player.

During his final season at Vanderbilt, the right-hander finished 14-4 with a 2.73 ERA and 179 strikeouts and just 39 walks in 122 innings this season.

Rocker can throw a mid-to upper-90s fastball, a nasty slider and solid curveball. However, scouts have noted that the righty needs more work on his control and consistency.

North Oconee's Kumar Rocker: Montlick & Associates Athlete of the Week North Oconee's Kumar Rocker is the Montlick & Associates Athlete of the Week.

Brady House, SS, Winder-Barrow High School, No. 11 pick by Washington Nationals

Before Sunday night, the MLB pipeline rated House as the fifth-best high school prospect and eighth-overall best prospect in this year’s draft.

“More exciting than nervous. I have worked my whole life to get where I am now. I try not to put any pressure or nerves on myself and cherish the moment,” House told Channel 2 Action News in April.

House committed to the University of Tennessee during his freshman year at Winder-Barrow, but all signs point toward him signing with the Nationals.

House is known for his powerful swing and bat speed, but needs to learn not to be so-aggressive with every plate appearance, according to MLB.com scouting report.

Defensively, House has a strong throwing arm that can pump fastballs up to 96 mph off the mound, according to the report. Scouts have noted that House could make the move from shortstop to third base.

Winder Barrow's Brady House: Montlick & Associates Athlete of the Week

Harry Ford, C, North Cobb High School, No. 13 pick by the Seattle Mariners

MLB.com rated Ford as the No. 13 overall draft prospect and No. 9 position player heading into this year’s draft.

“It’s surreal. It’s just amazing experience to know that actual MLB teams have been coming to my games. I love it. I’m trying to embrace every moment of it,” Ford told Channel 2 in April.

The 5-foot-10, 200 pound catcher played varsity baseball all four years at North Cobb High School. He committed to Georgia Tech baseball in 2019.

Ford is the fifth catcher from Georgia selected in the first round over the last seven drafts. According to his MLB.com scouting report, Ford has some of the best bat speed in this year’s class.

Defensively, scouts have noted that Ford can polish his footwork behind the plate but also has the athleticism and arm to play other positions.

North Cobb's Harry Ford: Montlick & Associates Athlete of the Week

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