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Atlanta Braves Draft: Number 5 Pick Could be Raking in Starkville, Mississippi

By Dan Horton

Apr 14, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves jerseys are shown on a conveyer belt before the Braves' home opener against the San Diego Padres at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves jerseys are shown on a conveyer belt before the Braves' home opener against the San Diego Padres at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2017 Major League Baseball Draft is still a few months away. However, The Atlanta Braves are in a neat position with the fifth pick of the draft. Perhaps, the next best Brave is mashing in Starkville, MS, right now!

In 2016, he turned down the Twins offer to return back to Starkville, for some “unfinished business”. The Atlanta Braves could have a gem if they play their cards right, and if they think they can sign him.

The Minnesota Twins drafted this guy from Mississippi State in last year’s first year player draft. He’s 6′ 4″, 220 pounds. He can hit for average, power, has decent speed, and has a near flawless fielding percentage.

Brent Rooker is a Redshirt Junior in the Bulldog outfield. He is having a fantastic season this year. Last season he started in 53 of 58 games played. He slashed .306/.362/.525 (BA, SLG, OBP).

He tallied 11 HRs, 54 RBI, 15 2B’s, 16 BB’s, and struck out 48 times in 204 AB’s. This was in 2016. He has since added almost 100 points to his BA in 2017.

In 2017, currently, he is hitting .400 with 16 HRs, 39 BB’s (11 IBB),  and 16 SB’s (out of 20). He has had 5 games w/more than 5 RBI. His season high is 8 RBI in a game against Indiana State early on. He has 3 multi-HR games, with a season high 3 in one game against Kentucky.

Rooker will be 23 in November of this year. Last week, while playing a game on the SEC Network, a graphic popped onto the screen. This graphic was pretty impressive.

At the time, here are what his rankings were, nationally:

  • BA: .423
  • OBP: .520
  • SLG: .937
  • Hits: 60
  • RBI: 58
  • Doubles: 19
  • HR’s: 16
  • Total Bases: 133
  • SB’s: 15

In each and every one of these categories, he ranked first, with the exception being stolen bases … he was tied for first. This was on the 20th of April.

Whether or not the Braves take a look at this kid, is still yet to be seen. However, I’d think, like any good franchise, will have their scouts ensure their due diligence is taken care of.

Next: Luis Robert: The Next Cuban Prize

Rooker is definitely a solid first round draft pick. The Braves will look at him, sure, but what are the chances they take Rooker with the number 5 pick in the draft?

Let us know what you think.

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