Brent Rooker Taken in First Round of 2017 MLB Draft by Minnesota Twins

(Photo Courtesy: MSU Athletics)

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI/MSU Athletics) – After a season in which he rewrote the Mississippi State baseball record books, Brent Rooker has a chance to continue his baseball career at the professional level.

The Germantown, Tennessee product was selected in the first round by the Minnesota Twins in the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft. He was the 35th overall player taken. Rooker’s selection gives MSU back-to-back first round picks since 2012 and 2013 when Chris Stratton and Hunter Renfroe were selected. He also became the program’s 186th overall draftee and the school’s 14th first-round pick.

“The season that we had was worth every second of coming back,” Rooker said. “All of the hours I’ve put in grinding in the cage and on the field just to improve my game and improve myself as a player and a leader has paid off now.”

After being picked in the 38th round by the Minnesota Twins in the 2016 draft as the Bulldogs’ 151st player selected in the draft, Rooker chose to return to MSU for his junior season. That decision paid off for Rooker, as he was named National Player of the Year by Collegiate Baseball and became MSU’s first-ever Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, in addition to numerous other honors.

“I couldn’t be more excited for, first, the season we had, and then to get started with the Minnesota Twins organization,” Rooker said. “My goal was never to just get drafted. My goal has always been to make it to the big leagues. For me, this is the first step in a long process to reach my ultimate goal.”

Rooker finished his stellar season with a .387 batting average and a school record 30 doubles. His 96 hits was eighth in program history for hits in a single season, while his 23 home runs was fifth in the MSU record books.

“I’m extremely happy for Brent and his family,” State head coach Andy Cannizaro said. “I’ve been so blessed to be around him this year. He’s been such an incredible leader in our clubhouse each and every day. He’s the first guy on the field for us and he’s a tremendous worker. I’m extremely happy for him now to go out and start his professional career. He is a big-league hitter that is going to have a lot of success. We are all so proud of him and so happy that we were able to be around him this year.”

Rooker will look to add more accolades to his name this month, as he is a finalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award.

Categories: College Sports, Local Sports

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