STARKVILLE — If one sees Brent Rooker pacing in the dugout in between at-bats, it’s not because he’s nervous.
The gesture is part of a routine that is working.
Mississippi State’s junior has a well-tested method to being an effective designated hitter. Several in the program believe the role is more challenging than it seems, but Rooker thrives in it. In 18 games (all starts and almost all of them at designated hitter), Rooker leads the team in batting average (.431), doubles (11), home runs (five), total bases (54), slugging percentage (.831), RBIs (27), and on-base percentage (.537).
“Rooker’s awesome. He’s probably one the biggest pieces, middle of the lineup bats in the country,” MSU coach Andy Cannizaro said.
Rooker’s batting average ranks in the top 40 nationally. His 1.50 RBIs per game is tied for 11th in the nation. Seven of his last nine games have been multi-hit games. He had at least one RBI in five of those seven games and an extra-base hit in five.
In an 11-8 victory against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Tuesday, Rooker doubled three times, the first time a Bulldog has done so since 2009.
“You’re talking about real right-handed power (who is) able to drive the ball to all parts of the field,” Cannizaro said. “He stays in the strike zone. He very rarely expands the strike zone as a hitter.”
Rooker’s success as a designated hitter is even more impressive to Brant Blaylock. The freshman left fielder hasn’t served as a designated hitter at MSU, but he has played that role in summer leagues and remembers much of the nuanced difficulties. He recalls the need to “keep your mind busy, but still stay locked into the game” in between at-bats.
“People outside of baseball might not realize having an at-bat, sitting back down for 45 minutes and having to get right back up and do it again is really difficult to do,” Blaylock said. “Hats off to him for being able to do it night in and night out.”
That’s where Rooker’s pacing comes in.
“I’ve got a pretty specific routine,” Rooker said. “I’m a big-time pacer, so I’ll just walk back and forth in the dugout. I’ll kind of wander back in the tunnel a little bit. I never really sit down. I have to keep moving. I’ll go through my pre at-bat routine as soon as (center fielder) Jake (Mangum) gets up. I’ll get my shin guard on, elbow guard on, stuff like that.
“If you allow yourself to go have an at-bat then come in here and relax for 45 minutes before your next at-bat, you have to (put) yourself in the game when you go to hit again, as opposed to being involved the entire time. You study the pitcher, figure out his tendencies and what he’s doing. I think being as involved as you can is the key.”
Rooker also uses the down time to compare notes with teammates on what they have seen from the pitcher.
When Rooker plays the field — as he has in right field and at first base in each of MSU’s last two games — he has done so without committing an error.
Rooker’s impact goes beyond his at-bats and occasional defense. He is tied for third in the nation with 12 stolen bases. He has been caught stealing once.
“He’s a 6.6 runner in the 60,” Cannizaro said. “He’s having a blast with it. He’s turning singles into doubles and putting a lot of pressure on the defense.”
Rooker will try to continue his production in Southeastern Conference play this weekend when MSU kicks off a three-game series at Arkansas. Rooker is second in the SEC West in batting average behind former Cannizaro protege Cole Freeman of LSU. Rooker’s .431 average is 54 points better than any Razorback.
Rooker leads the league in RBIs and doubles and is five points back of the conference lead in slugging percentage. Rooker’s success has helped Mangum tied for the league lead in runs scored (26).
“He’s probably one of the best players in the SEC right now,” Cannizaro said of Rooker.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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