2021 COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

June 18, 2021

Kumar Rocker

Vanderbilt Commodores

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Thank you for joining us for today's press conference with Vanderbilt. We are joined by Kumar Rocker.

Kumar, if you could give us a quick statement about what it means to you to be in Omaha right now.

KUMAR ROCKER: It's something you play for at the start of the year. A young group of guys this year, it's special to be here.

THE MODERATOR: We'll start with questions.

Q. How much have you studied Arizona's lineup so far? For you, when you're preparing for a start, especially against a really good opponent, how much do you focus on scouting report versus just worrying about what you need to do?

KUMAR ROCKER: Right, so, I mean, just in general you hear a lot about Arizona's offense. So you know it's a good offense, a hit-first offense. As a pitcher in my position, I go out there and play my game regardless. That's what I'm going to do when it comes the time.

Q. When you look at Jack, kind of how he's progressed, what stands out? How do you think having a dad who has gone through all this has helped him?

KUMAR ROCKER: Right. I mean, Jack came out hot, of course. Through the season, with him every day, there's going to be some ups and downs. The biggest thing I've seen from him is those starts, when it gets a little bit rough, he's been able to push through them now. That's something he had to learn on his own. Nobody can really teach you that. That was the biggest thing I saw from him.

Q. A question about the Major League draft. In a typical year, that would have already occurred. You don't have a basis for comparison, but how do you weigh the pros and cons of that event being in July, allowing you to focus fully on this playoff run?

KUMAR ROCKER: I think you just said it best. I'm able to focus on a playoff run. When it comes to the post-season, it's not anywhere close, even in the season, about you. It's about your team, winning each game moving forward. That's the most exciting part about being here.

Q. You've had a lot of teammates get drafted over the years. Can you think of some experiences when this draft has been in June when they've had to make some big decisions, you're making runs, how that balancing act usually works?

KUMAR ROCKER: I guess you call it a balancing act. But really we took a day off for J.J. Bleday's dinner, a special moment for him, a day for him. After that we moved forward, got back to work.

Q. This team this year is a focused group. It seems like on the field you're outwardly emotional. Do you see it that way, kind of an emotional group this year, which is a good thing?

KUMAR ROCKER: Yeah, 100% I see it that way. I think that's when we play our best.

Emotion comes when you're young. This is a young group. No one seems to really see that. We're here right now. Yeah, we're going to play how we want to play.

Q. Working this year with Jack, you obviously were a little bit together last year before the pandemic hit, how much has it helped having a pitcher like that? Do you share tips with each other, talk to each other, or do you go about your own processes separately? The idea that right now you could go 1-2 in the draft, how cool might that be?

KUMAR ROCKER: I mean, it's awesome just experiencing this year with him, of course. From a pitching standpoint, just learning from him, that guy knows everything. I mean, from his dad coming from pitching bloodlines, there's things you learn every day from just watching his bullpens, start sitting back with him on the bench, talking about the game, going over it.

Q. The possibility in July of maybe being the top two picks in the draft, to represent Vandy that way?

KUMAR ROCKER: Yeah, that would be a great representation of Vandy.

Q. I've known Tim a long time. He loves his country. When you put those green uniforms on to honor our veterans, what does that mean to you specifically?

KUMAR ROCKER: For me personally, I mean, they do everything for us. To have the opportunity to represent it in something I can see every day, it's special. I can't say this enough, when we come to that clubhouse on Sunday, those green jerseys are hung up, everybody has a little bit more of a smile on their face, excited to wear them.

Q. With a young team, do you think there's a different feel to this World Series than there was two years ago? Do you think experience matters here as much or doesn't?

KUMAR ROCKER: No, I think 100% it matters. But with this team, like someone mentioned, the emotion, once these kids get a grasp on that, move forward and play with it, I think the best version of themselves is going to come out.

THE MODERATOR: Looks like there are no additional questions. Kumar, we really appreciate you taking time today to speak with us.

KUMAR ROCKER: Appreciate you.