Twins Spotlight Replay: Episode 8 (Brent Rooker)

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. 

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, 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. 

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. 

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

Thanks Mike!