Being an MLB All-Star has its perks. Some players have bonuses in their contracts triggered by a selection, while others are focused on what it might mean for their arbitration case. With the league rolling out the red carpet, it’s more than just a mid-July vacation.
Few players will experience a bigger change in circumstance than Athletics stars Jacob Wilson and Brent Rooker.
Sentenced to spending the summer in the scalding West Sacramento heat, the two are sharing a minor-league field with the San Francisco Giants’ AAA team and must journey across the field between innings to find a batting cage or bathroom. For two days in Atlanta, they’ll be surrounded by the sport’s best players and treated as such.
Rooker is taking full advantage
For Rooker, the 2025 Midsummer Classic will be his second. This time, he’s partaking in the full festivities, locking himself into the Home Run Derby.
Rooker is the penultimate addition to the Derby, barring an injury replacement being needed for Ronald Acuña Jr., who’ll have the home crowd pulling for him. He’ll be joined by James Wood, Junior Caminero, Cal Raleigh, Oneil Cruz, and Byron Buxton.
Interestingly enough, a fraction of the field has some ties to the region. Buxton grew up in Georgia, Raleigh was born three hours away from Atlanta, and Rooker — from Tennessee — will have an easier time inviting friends and family.
“I’ll have a lot of family there,” Rooker said, via Martín Gallegos. “In ‘23, Seattle was a bit of a journey, but they made it out there. It’ll be a little easier for a few more people to get there to Atlanta. … That should make the experience even that much more special.”
MORE: Tracking 2025 Home Run Derby participants ahead of All-Star weekend
Rooker didn’t make the All-Star team last season, despite posting 5.1 fWAR and a 164 wRC+. He did, however, make the squad in 2023, finishing the year with 30 home runs, a .488 slugging percentage, and a 126 wRC+. In 2025, he has already hit 19 home runs, with a .489 slugging percentage and a 129 wRC+ to boot.
The Athletics slugger competed in the 2016 College Home Run Derby. Monday night will be his first time in the Derby as a professional.
“Competing in the Home Run Derby has always been a dream of mine,” Rooker posted on Instagram. “Can’t wait to make it happen in Atlanta! See ya there!”
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