Twins Spotlight Replay: Episode 8 (Brent Rooker)

[Seth Stohs]

last night, Seth chatted with Minnesota Twins outfielder Brent Rooker about making his big-league debut, a strange 2020 season, an update on his late-season injury and rehab (and he showed us his scar!), what was going on at the alternate site and some words about some of the other Twins prospects that were there, and his multi-sport success in high school. And, much more. You'll enjoy this episode a lot!

The discussion was live on the Twins Daily social media platforms, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages.

The Twins drafted Brent Rooker in 2016, and they liked him so much, they drafted him again in 2017. The Twins drafted Rooker in the 38th round in 2016 from Mississippi State. He bet on himself and went back to school for his redshirt junior season and responded by winning the SEC's Triple Crown. In 2017, the Twins used the 35th overall pick in 2017.

Since then, Rooker has been a top Twins prospect, one of the most powerful bats in the organization. After signing, he hit 18 home runs between Elizabethton and Ft. Myers in just 65 games. In 2018, he played at AA Chattanooga and hit 22 homers in 130 games. In 2019, he hit 14 home runs in just 65 games before an injury ended his season. That's 54 home runs in essentially two seasons.

Rooker was invited to his second consecutive big-league spring training in 2020 and was playing well when the season was put on hold, When Summer Camp began, he was on the 60-play pool. He spent August in St. Paul at the Twins alternate site, and on September 4th, he got The Call, and that day he was in the team's lineup.

Later that week, Rooker went with the team to St. Louis to play the Cardinals, his favorite team growing up. It was there that he hit first first big-league home run. Unfortunately, his season came to an abrupt end by an up-and-in fastball off the wrist/forearm. However, in his seven game debut, he hit .316/.381/.579 (.960) with two doubles, a homer and five RBI.

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Subscribe to the Twins Daily podcast on Libsyn, Apple iTunes or anywhere you download podcasts.

Here is the YouTube link where you can watch the show.

More on Brent Rooker :

• Interview with Twins Second Pick Brent Rooker (June 2017)
  
• Rooker Promotion: Aggressive, or No? (July 2017)
  
• Rooker Chasing Russo (Get to know Paul Russo) (August 2017)
  
• Episode 2: Seth’s Twins Talk (with Brent Rooker, Royce Lewis, Alex Kirilloff (Jan 2018)
  
• Twins Daily 2018 Top Prospects: #7 Brent Rooker (February 2018)
  
• Rooker Getting into the Swing of Spring (March 2018)
  
• Twins Daily 2019 Top Prospects: #6 Brent Rooker (February 2019)
  
• Episode 2: Get to Know Pat Dean and Brent Rooker (March 2019)
  
• Twins Daily 2020 Top Prospects: #9 Brent Rooker (February 2020)
  
• 5 Questions with Twins Prospect Brent Rooker (March 2020)
  
• Brent Rooker is ‘Ready to Go’ for a “Big” Year (May 2020)
  
• Should Brent Rooker Get First Crack at First Base? (July 2020)
  
• Follow Brent on Twitter at @Brent_Rooker19.
  
• Follow Brent on Instagram at @Brent_Rooker19. .
  

Previous episodes

Episode 1: Tom Hackimer

Episode 2: Matt Canterino

Episode 3: Aaron Whitefield

Episode 4: Spencer Steer

Episode 5: Travis Blankenhorn

Episode 6: Cody Laweryson

Episode 7: Matt Wallner

Episode 8: Brent Rooker

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[Rosterman]

I hope his recovery is good. He is one of those guys that should put up solid numbers. But you need to find a place where he can comfortably play on the field (or become a designated hitter). 

 

[Seth Stohs]

People should listen to this just because of what he said about the likes of Lewis, Kirilloff, Larnach, Duran, Chalmers, Celestino and others that he got to know in St. Paul.

 

Also, you can see his scar from his surgery and get updated on how he's doing now. 

 

Hear his thoughts on getting the call up, playing a double header that day, homering in St. Louis, and more.

 

Also, he's got a great story on working with Josh Donaldson... two years ago... and find out if Donaldson remembers that encounter. 

[4twinsJA]

Enjoyed interview, Seth. Twins look like they have quality prospects on the verge of MLB. I really like Rooker, average defense but plus hitter. Like to hear comments on how much interaction players had with Twins coaches, Rooker said he thought he really progressed during that time even though not playing games.

[rdehring]

Another fantastic interview, Seth, thanks.

 

What I am learning as I watch these is that the Twins have an exciting group of well spoken, intelligent young men on their way to Minnesota. Have to believe this organization is in excellent hands over the coming years.

 

Was good to learn that it doesn't appear that his injury is going to have any effect on him in 2021. With both Brent and AK in the wings, I expect the Twins are going to be taking a hard look at opening up a couple spots on their projected roster. With the great news on the vaccine front, the Twins may not be looking to cut their payroll a lot next year. If that is the case, they could use the savings from Brent and AK filling two spots for another improvement on the team, say pitching.

 

I think he proved last summer that he will hit a lot of home runs in his Twins career. Would you agree, Seth, that he is also likely to have a reasonable batting average rather than be just another power guy?

 

There isn't any need for him to downplay his families love of the Packers as I suspect I am not the only Packer fan here at Twins Daily. 

[Sielk]

These interviews are so great. Thank you for doing them, Seth.

 

Maybe a bit off topic, but when Brent talked about facing Matt Wallner in college I wondered if the Twins ever thought of developing Wallner as a two-way player. A fastball of that velocity doesn't seem like the worst starting point to become at least a decent reliever. Do you know anything about that, Seth?

[tony&rodney]

Seth, I appreciated the pace and quality of questions. Thank you. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

These interviews are so great. Thank you for doing them, Seth.

Maybe a bit off topic, but when Brent talked about facing Matt Wallner in college I wondered if the Twins ever thought of developing Wallner as a two-way player. A fastball of that velocity doesn't seem like the worst starting point to become at least a decent reliever. Do you know anything about that, Seth?

 

Not at this point. That could become a fallback plan way down the line. But he didn't even pitch his junior season at Southern Mississippi either. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Seth, I appreciated the pace and quality of questions. Thank you. 

 

I appreciate that... As you all know, I'm not a professional interviewer, but I try. I want to make it conversational, and I tend to ramble. I appreciate you saying that. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

What I am learning as I watch these is that the Twins have an exciting group of well spoken, intelligent young men on their way to Minnesota. Have to believe this organization is in excellent hands over the coming years.

 

Was good to learn that it doesn't appear that his injury is going to have any effect on him in 2021. With both Brent and AK in the wings, I expect the Twins are going to be taking a hard look at opening up a couple spots on their projected roster. With the great news on the vaccine front, the Twins may not be looking to cut their payroll a lot next year. If that is the case, they could use the savings from Brent and AK filling two spots for another improvement on the team, say pitching.

 

I think he proved last summer that he will hit a lot of home runs in his Twins career. Would you agree, Seth, that he is also likely to have a reasonable batting average rather than be just another power guy?

 

 

Yes, the Twins (Falvey/Levine) have done what they set out to do, develop waves of talent, and they have that. We're just starting to see some of that, both pitching and hitting. 

 

And he isn't one to throw out anything without meaning it. His comments/compliments on those other guys, he means. 

 

I think they'll want to cut some payroll, not knowing the fan situation in 2021.  

 

As for Rooker... I'm not expecting him to hit for a lot of average. I would think he could be a .260/.340/.500 (.840) type of hitter, plus of minus a bit. Will depend on role, and all that. He's going to strike out. We know that, but I was SO impressed with his at-bats in his short time with the Twins. And that power is real. 

[mikelink45]

I am so pleased with your interviews.  I cannot always catch them live, but I really enjoy them.

[Dennesey55347]

Wonderful interview. I was hot on the Rooker bandwagon right after we drafted him. Seems intelligent, and of great character. I'm ready for the next wave and hope Mr. Rooker dons a Twins uni and becomes a clubhouse leader for MANY years.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I am so pleased with your interviews.  I cannot always catch them live, but I really enjoy them.

 

Thanks Mike!