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Mississippi State

All-Star Brent Rooker tabbed for 2025 MLB Home Run Derby

3rupauk8_400x400by: Robbie Faulk07/10/25RobbieFaulkOn3
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Brent Rooker

Brent Rooker is crossing off another bucket list item on his baseball journey.

Next week, Rooker will head to the All-Star Game in Atlanta and compete in the Home Run Derby for the first time in his career. Rooker is one of eight players that will compete in the event joining Cal Raleigh, Byron Buxton, Oneil Cruz, Junior Caminero, Ronald Acuna Jr. and James Wood. One more participant is left to be announced.

“Competing in the Home Run Derby has always been a dream of mine,” Rooker said on social media. “Can’t wait to make it happen next week in Atlanta! See ya there!”

Rooker has emerged as one of the top power hitters in the American League the last two seasons with the Athletics. Last year was his breakthrough season as the former Mississippi State Bulldog batted .293 and had 160 hits with 39 home runs, 26 doubles, two triples and 112 RBI – all career highs for his first five seasons in the MLB.

Another big season has transpired for him this year as he has 99 hits in 94 games and is batting .270 with 19 doubles, 19 home runs and 54 RBI. Over the last three seasons, his 88 home runs are ninth in the MLB behind players like Aaron Judge, Pete Alonso, Juan Soto, Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber.

Rooker is all-time great Mississippi State slugger

It’s the first Athletics selection in the Derby since 2021 and makes for a fun weekend for the Rooker family as they make the manageable drive down from Memphis to Atlanta. Rooker enjoyed an incredible career at State where he batted .350 over four seasons with 186 hits and 37 home runs.

Rooker became the second player in SEC history to grab the Triple Crown when, in 2017, he led the league with a .387 average, 96 hits and 23 home runs. He joined for Diamond Dawg great Rafael Palmeiro with the award and was drafted 35th overall by the Minnesota Twins in the 2017 draft.

The other State flavor in the Derby will be former signee James Wood. The IMG Academy alum turned down college to be drafted in 2021 in the second round by the San Diego Padres and  made his debut for the Washington Nationals last season. Wood hit nine home runs in 79 games as a Rookie but has blasted 24 homers this season with a .287 batting average.

Rooker is part of a prestigious group of former Diamond Dawgs that have participated in All-Star Week. Only 13 players have made the All-Star Game in school history with Rooker now making it twice. Only seven players have made the game multiple times as Woodruff joins greats like Will Clark, Jonathan Papelbon, Palmeiro, Boo Ferriss, Buddy Myer and Brandon Woodruff.

The HR Derby is set for 7 p.m. on Monday night and can be seen on ESPN. The All-Star Game takes place on Tuesday night at 7 on FOX.

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