Brent Rooker – Athletics Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Terry Brent Rooker Jr. has gone from a promising prospect to a cornerstone for the Oakland Athletics.

Born on November 1, 1994, the outfielder and designated hitter has flashed serious power at the plate since joining the majors.

Fans and team execs really started to notice him after his breakout season—he’s no longer just another name on the roster.

Rooker recently secured his financial future by signing a five-year, $60 million contract with the Athletics that includes a $10 million signing bonus.

The substantial deal shows just how invested Oakland’s front office is in him.

A’s manager Mark Kotsay and general manager David Forst had hinted that extension talks were underway.

That move speaks volumes about the organization’s trust in Rooker’s abilities.

Before he signed with Oakland, Rooker got some interest from overseas, including an offer from a team in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league.

He decided to stay in Major League Baseball, though.

Rooker keeps developing as a key power bat in the Athletics’ lineup.

Even though he was years away from free agency, the A’s made sure to lock down their emerging star.

Early Life and Education

Brent Rooker’s path to pro baseball started in Tennessee.

He built his love for the game and sharpened his skills through high school and college.

Childhood and Family Background

Terry Brent Rooker Jr. was born on November 1, 1994, in Germantown, Tennessee.

He grew up in the Memphis suburbs, where baseball entered his life early on.

His parents noticed his athleticism and encouraged his passion for sports.

Rooker wasn’t necessarily a prodigy from day one.

He got better through steady practice and a real understanding of the game’s fundamentals.

His family gave him a solid foundation, letting him chase his athletic dreams while staying focused on school.

That balance made a big difference as he developed.

High School Baseball Career

Rooker attended Evangelical Christian School in Cordova, Tennessee.

He started to stand out on the baseball field and showed off the power hitting that would later define his game.

During his senior year, Rooker hit over .400, catching the eye of college scouts.

His high school highlights included:

• All-State selections
• Team MVP honors
• Serving as team captain
• A strong slugging percentage

Despite all that, top Division I programs didn’t recruit him heavily.

That slight probably fueled his motivation when he moved on to Mississippi State University.

College Achievements

At Mississippi State University, Rooker went from overlooked recruit to one of the top college players in the country.

His growth really took off with the Bulldogs.

In 2017, he put together one of the most dominant seasons the SEC has seen.

He won the conference’s Triple Crown, leading in batting average (.387), home runs (23), and RBIs (82).

That’s not something you see every day.

His college accolades stacked up quickly:

• SEC Player of the Year (2017)
• First Team All-American
• Golden Spikes Award finalist
• School record for slugging percentage (.810)

Pro scouts couldn’t ignore those numbers.

The Minnesota Twins picked Rooker 35th overall in the 2017 MLB Draft.

His college years set him up perfectly for the pros.

Professional Baseball Career

Brent Rooker’s professional journey has been all about perseverance, power, and adapting to big changes.

He’s fought his way from college standout to MLB regular, showing the kind of grit baseball demands.

Draft and Minor League Development

The Minnesota Twins picked him 35th overall in the 2017 MLB Draft.

Rooker had just come off that SEC Triple Crown season at Mississippi State.

After signing, he wasted no time showing off his power in the minors.

He moved up the Twins’ farm system, starting at Rookie-level Elizabethton and climbing to Single-A Fort Myers.

By 2019, he reached Triple-A Rochester, hitting 14 home runs in 65 games and batting .281.

Rooker faced his share of challenges in the minors.

He worked on his defensive versatility, splitting time between first base and the outfield.

His power kept him on the Twins’ radar, even as he worked to cut down strikeouts.

Major League Debut

Rooker made his MLB debut with the Minnesota Twins on September 4, 2020.

It was the pandemic-shortened season, which made everything a little weird.

He got his first big-league hit in his first at-bat, which had to feel good.

But his rookie season ended after just seven games.

He took a pitch to the forearm and fractured it.

Even with the short stint, Rooker hit .316 with a home run and five RBIs.

The 2021 season had him bouncing between Triple-A and the majors.

His raw power was obvious, but finding consistency at the highest level took some time.

Notable Trades and Team Transitions

Rooker’s path took a big turn when the Twins traded him to the San Diego Padres in April 2022.

He was part of the deal for starting pitcher Chris Paddack.

His stay with the Padres didn’t last long.

They designated him for assignment, and the Kansas City Royals picked him up.

After a short time with the Royals, Rooker landed with the Oakland Athletics via waiver claim in November 2022.

Oakland turned out to be the perfect fit.

Rooker broke out in 2023, earning his first All-Star nod.

The Athletics rewarded him by signing him to a 5-year, $60 million contract extension, including a $10 million signing bonus.

They made this move as they looked ahead to a possible relocation to Las Vegas, choosing Rooker as part of their core.

Contract History and Financial Overview

Brent Rooker’s contract history shows just how much his value has climbed in MLB.

He moved from standard rookie deals to a major extension that reflects his new status as a power hitter.

Initial MLB Contracts

After the Twins picked him 35th overall in 2017, Rooker got a signing bonus that matched his draft slot.

He spent his time in the minors on standard contracts until his MLB debut in 2020.

His first major league salary was right around the league minimum.

That’s pretty typical for rookies.

He earned similar pay after trades to the Padres and Royals, and again when the Oakland Athletics claimed him.

Recent Contract Details

Rooker’s career took a big step forward when he signed a 5-year, $60 million contract with the Athletics.

The deal includes a $10 million signing bonus, and the full $60 million is guaranteed.

For the 2025 season, Rooker will earn $2 million as part of the extension.

Before this, he was making around $725,000 a year.

The Athletics have made a clear statement by investing in Rooker.

His net worth now sits at about $3,181,774.

Arbitration and Collective Bargaining Impact

The MLB’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) shaped Rooker’s contract path.

As a pre-arbitration player, Rooker didn’t have much leverage in salary talks early on.

His extension with Oakland skips several arbitration years and gives him financial security while locking in cost certainty for the A’s.

Teams are doing this more often now, signing young talent before free agency.

Oakland, a team known for watching its payroll, made a rare big investment in Rooker as part of their roster strategy.

Rooker seems to have a good handle on the business side, probably thanks to his academic background.

Brent Rooker’s Net Worth and Earnings

Brent Rooker has built up solid financial value during his MLB career with the Oakland Athletics.

Most of his earnings come from his baseball salary, but he has a few other income streams as well.

Net Worth Estimates

Brent Rooker’s net worth is estimated at around $3.18 million as of 2025.

That’s mostly from his baseball earnings since joining MLB.

His value really jumped after his All-Star season and the new contract with the Athletics.

With the $60 million, 5-year deal, his net worth should grow quite a bit by the end of the contract.

Financial experts say Rooker’s smart money management has set him up for long-term stability.

Sources of Income

Rooker’s main income is his MLB salary.

For the 2025 season, he gets $4 million as part of his multi-year deal.

Here’s how the contract looks:

Contract Year	Salary
Year 1 (2024)	$2 million
Year 2 (2025)	$4 million
Remaining Years	Progressive increases

He also got a $10 million signing bonus, which gave his earnings a big boost right away.

The average annual value (AAV) is $12 million, though it changes year to year.

Besides salary, Rooker earns from playoff bonuses, MLB image rights, and merchandise sales.

Endorsements and Sponsorships

Rooker has picked up a few endorsement deals to supplement his income, though they don’t get as much press as his contract.

His marketability has gone up since his All-Star selection and Silver Slugger award.

He has deals with baseball equipment companies, especially for batting gloves and cleats.

Those usually include some cash and free gear.

Rooker has also landed some local sponsorships in Oakland, like:

• Car dealerships
• Bay Area restaurants
• Northern California financial institutions

He doesn’t chase the big national endorsement deals.

Instead, he sticks with baseball-related and regional partnerships that fit his personal brand.

That approach feels pretty true to who he is.

Impact, Recognition, and Future Outlook

Brent Rooker has quickly become a cornerstone for the Oakland Athletics. The team just handed him a five-year, $60 million contract extension, which really shows how much they believe in his power at the plate and what he brings to the lineup.

Achievements and Awards

Rooker broke out in a big way with his first All-Star selection, repping the A’s after a killer first half. He’s been smashing home runs and putting up slugging numbers that put him right up there with the league’s best.

Some folks have even started comparing his exit velocity and barrel percentage to guys like Yandy Díaz. That’s not a comparison you hear every day, but it’s not totally off base.

He picked up the Athletics’ Most Valuable Player award, which makes sense given how much he’s done for a team that’s still rebuilding. Baseball analysts have noticed the way he’s adjusted at the plate, especially when it comes to breaking pitches that used to give him trouble.

Lately, people have started to talk about his defense, too. Rooker has turned himself into a more complete outfielder, not just a bat-first guy.

Comparisons with Peers

If you look at Rooker’s numbers next to his peers, his power jumps off the page. His isolated power (ISO) sits among the top 10% of qualified hitters, which honestly puts him in some pretty elite company.

Unlike pitchers like Luis Severino, who might have to worry about injuries derailing their careers, Rooker’s game as a power hitter usually holds up well into his early 30s. The A’s clearly believe in that longevity, judging by his new contract.

For outfielders with similar experience, Rooker’s offensive numbers offer a ton of value—especially when you remember how little he was making before this extension. That bargain probably made the front office’s decision a whole lot easier.

Career Projections and Potential

After signing his contract extension through 2029 (with a club option for 2030), Rooker looks like he’ll be a key part of the Athletics’ future. Some folks around the league think he can keep up his power numbers and maybe even bump that on-base percentage as he gets into his prime.

Rooker himself knows there are things to work on. He talks about wanting to cut down on strikeouts and handle certain pitches better.

He’s made it pretty clear that he’s putting in the effort to improve. That kind of drive hints at even more growth down the line.

By locking Rooker in, the Athletics are showing they trust his leadership. The team is plotting its future in Oakland and beyond, and Rooker seems right at the center of it.

Manager Mark Kotsay often points out Rooker’s work ethic and professionalism. Those traits add a lot of value, even when you look past the numbers.

His salary—starting lower and rising to $13 million by 2028—follows the usual trend for power hitters as they get older.