In2017, Rooker was named Collegiate Baseball national Player of the Year[2] and SEC Player of the Year after leading the conference with a .387 batting average, 23 home runs, and 82 RBIs, winning only the second triple crown in SEC history, along with a .495 on base percentage, .810 slugging percentage, 30 doubles, and 18 stolen bases.[3] He also won the C Spire Ferriss Trophy, given to Mississippi's top college baseball player.[4][5]
Rooker spent 2018 with the Chattanooga Lookouts. He batted .254/.333/.465 with 22 home runs (2nd in the Southern League), 79 RBIs (leading the league), 32 doubles (tied for the league lead), and 150 strikeouts (4th) in 130 games.[8] He spent 2019 with the Rochester Red Wings,[9] earning International League All-Star honors.[10] Over 65 games, he hit .281/.398/.535 with 14 home runs and 47 RBIs.[5] After the season, on October 10, he was selected for the United States national baseball team in the 2019 WBSC Premier 12.[11] In the tournament he batted .300/.333/.800 with three home runs and five RBIs in 20 at bats.[12] He was named the best designated hitter in the tournament.[13]
On September 4, 2020, Rooker was promoted to the major leagues for the first time[14] and made his major league debut that day against the Detroit Tigers.[citation needed]
On November 17, 2022, Rooker was claimed off outright waivers by the Oakland Athletics. He earned a spot on the team out of spring training. On May 1, 2023, Rooker was named the AL Player of the Week after going 10 for 24 with 5 home runs and 11 RBI’s from April 24 through 30.[18] In July, Rooker was named to the 2023 Major League Baseball All-Star Game as a reserve.[19] He was the team's sole representative.[20] Entering the game as a replacement to Randy Arozarena and playing left field, Rooker went 1-2 with a double.[21]
He led the A's in home runs (30), RBIs (69), OPS (.817), games played (137), at-bats (463), total bases (226) and strikeouts (172). He tied with Esteury Ruiz for the team-lead in hits (114). He led the American League in strikeout percentage (32.7%), while batting .246/.329/.488.[22]
Rooker began the 2024 as the team's clean-up hitter on opening day. After hitting only .200 with 2 home runs and 16 strikeouts in his first eight appearances, Rooker was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 11, retroactive to April 8.[23] On May 6, Rooker was named the American League Player of the Week for April 29 to May 5.[24]
