Brent Rooker Gets Call Up and Will Make MLB Debut Tonight; Kepler to IL

As Minnesota Twins fans, we didn’t want to see Brent Rooker make his MLB debut in 2020. With an already deep outfield and plenty of guys who can move around, debuts from the likes of Rooker, Lewis, Kirilloff or Larnach could only mean something negative was playing out.

While the Twins season isn’t in the dumps, by any means (they still have a 96% chance of making the playoffs), the Rooker call up isn’t under positive circumstances. Max Kepler is heading to the injured list with a leg/groin injury.

#MNTwins placed outfielder Max Kepler (groin) on the injured list and called up first baseman/outfielder Brent Rooker.

Rooker, the 35th overall pick in the 2017 draft, will be making his major-league debut.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) September 4, 2020

Many Twins fans already know who Rooker is — for those that don't, he's a 25-year-old 1B/OF selected No. 35 overall in the 2017 Draft.

Massive power, lots of strikeouts, some defensive limitations. @MLBPipeline has him ranked the No. 12 prospect in the organization.

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) September 4, 2020

Not Here For Defense

Brent Rooker is a power-hitting outfielder who projects just as well as a DH, if you look into a crystal ball. He isn’t in the outfield trying to wow you with his defensive skills. The youngster out of Mississippi State just wants to drop bombs and that’s exactly what the Minnesota Twins drafted him to do.

Now, he will get his chance. Cooper Carlson, who writes for MSF, has some of Rooker’s cumulative minor league statistics. He’s a guy who will be hoping to avoid the minor leagues next season, when things get back to normal.

In 259 minor league games, Brent Rooker hit 267/.357/.505 (.861) with 54 homers.

He played just 67 games in 2019 but had a .928 OPS with 14 homers. #MnTwins

— Cooper (@CoopCarlson) September 4, 2020

We don’t yet know the significance of Max Kepler’s injury or how long he will be on the IL. We’ll update this piece when that information comes to light.

Some other roster moves were completed, along with the Kepler/Rooker news. That includes Willians Astudillo in the Twins dugout tonight! Chalk tonight’s game vs the Detroit Tigers, in the W column!

Rounding out the roster moves:

– Willians Astudillo is today's 29th man
– Juan Minaya has cleared waivers and is back in St. Paul

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) September 4, 2020

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan