Elephant Rumblings: Rooker takes POTY honors
MLB news roundup
Happy Tuesday everyone!
One of our guys got some national recognition yesterday. Designated Hitter Brent Rooker, the squad’s All-Star last season, won his first AL Player of the Week award, joining superstar Shohei Ohtani as the winners of the award this week:
Well would you Rook at that pic.twitter.com/zz9NHaYwgm
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) May 6, 2024
It’s a well-deserved award after Rooker played a key part in the recent 6-game winning streak. He went 7-16 with three home runs (including that two-homer inning a couple days ago). He joined A’s legend Mark McGuire as Athletics to homer twice in the same inning, putting his name down into the A’s record books alongside Big Mac.
After a slow start at the plate this year, Rooker has really picked it up recently. When asked about it, Rooker credited his time in the batting cage and preparation, as well as just not letting early-season struggles persist longer than that:
“I feel good. Seeing pitches well, putting good swings on the right pitches…. I’ve felt like my at-bats and process has been really good for a week or two. Last night was kind of the start,” said Rooker.
Fingers crossed it’s just the start. The club will surely be hoping Rooker can keep this pace up going into the Summer months. The offense has been inconsistent at best and Rooker’s cold start didn’t help matters. It’s no coincidence that the club is playing better with Rooker swinging the bat like last year.
Mark Kotsay has noticed Rooker’s importance to the team and he’s just as glad as the rest of us that Rooker is being honored this week. A’s fans have grown accustomed to being ignored by the national media but Rooker was the obvious choice. Mark Kotsay spoke briefly on Rooker’s past week:
Mark Kotsay believes Brent Rooker is playing to his full potential after receiving AL Player of the Week honors pic.twitter.com/S2nlpVgvX9
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) May 7, 2024
Some nice words from his manager. It’s easy to forget now but Rooker was a surprise addition to the roster out of spring camp last year. In just one calendar year he’s gone from fringe MLB player to All-Star and critical middle of the order hitter for the club. What a year for him.
Would it be greedy to ask him to do it twice in a row? With division games coming up the club could use another week like that from their DH. Tune in to see!
A’s Coverage:
- Brent Rooker named AL Player of the Week
- Rangers steal 4-2 victory late
- A’s place Joe Boyle on IL, recall lefty Hogan Harris
- Athletics reportedly set to recall Osvaldo Bido for Wednesday double header
MLB News & Interest:
- Rays activate Josh Lowe
- Guardians promote top prospect Manzardo, place batting leader Kwan on IL
- Giants update: Soler remains day-to-day; Daulton Jefferies DFA’d
- Royals showed interest in Arraez before Padres trade
- Astros superstar candidate to be traded
- Today in Baseball History
Best of X:
Fangraph’s opinion:
FanGraphs top 10 A's prospects: 1) RHP Mason Miller, 2) SS Jacob Wilson, 3) RHP Luis Morales, 4) RHP Joe Boyle, 5) RHP Royber Salinas, 6) RHP Steven Echavarria, 7) SS Darell Hernaiz, 8) SS Max Muncy, 9) RHP Grant Holman, 10) OF Denzel Clarke
— Athletics Farm (@AthleticsFarm) May 7, 2024
Chances we see Daz in Oakland at some point?
Las Vegas @AviatorsLV OF Daz Cameron, whom the A's signed to a minor league deal in the offseason, was named the PCL Player of the Week. The 27-year-old son of former big leaguer Mike Cameron hit .591 (13 for 22) with 7 extra-base hits, 5 walks, 2 stolen bases & 10 RBI last week.
— Athletics Farm (@AthleticsFarm) May 6, 2024
Still no rehab trip for Andujar yet:
He’s doing baseball activity but A’s are slowing his progression after he experienced some lateral knee soreness. No timeline to begin a rehab assignment. https://t.co/V00MoNGgQQ
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) May 6, 2024
Mason Miller getting more and more attention:
Mason Miller has pitched to a 1.26 ERA this season with 29 strikeouts out of the bullpen
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 7, 2024
The @Athletics fireballer talks about his whirlwind year so far and what adjustments he's made on the mound. #MLBTonight pic.twitter.com/DREmwKnPZn