Rooker was taken 35th overall in the 2017 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft by the Minnesota Twins. He received a $1.935 million signing bonus from the Twins.
Rooker began his career with the Elizabethton Twins before moving on to the Fort Myers Miracle. He hit.281/.364/.566 with 18 home runs, 52 RBIs, and a .930 OPS in 62 games for both teams.
In 2018, he was a member of the Chattanooga Lookouts. In 130 games, he hit.254/.333/.465 with 22 home runs (2nd in the Southern League), 79 RBIs (leading the league), 32 doubles (tied for first), and 150 strikeouts (4th).
He earned International League All-Star honors with the Rochester Red Wings in 2019. He hit.281/.398/.535 with 14 home runs and 47 RBIs in 65 games.
He was picked for the United States national baseball team in the 2019 WBSC Premier 12 on October 10 following the season.
He batted .300/.333/.800 in 20 at-bats in the tournament, including three home runs and five RBIs. He was selected as the tournament’s best-designated hitter.
Rooker was promoted to the main leagues for the first time on September 4, 2020, and made his major league debut against the Detroit Tigers that same day.
The Twins dealt Rooker, Taylor Rogers, and financial considerations to the San Diego Padres on April 7, 2022, in exchange for Chris Paddack, Emilio Pagán, and an unnamed player.
When Did Brent Rooker Get Drafted?
Brent Rooker was first drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 2017 as the 35th overall selection of the MLB draft.