Rooker Named 2015 New England Collegiate Baseball League MVP
August 31, 2015 | Baseball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – After compiling one of the best seasons in the 22-year history of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, Mississippi State outfielder Brent Rooker was named the recipient of the 2015 Rick Ligi NECBL Most Valuable Player Award, the league announced late Sunday night. The redshirt sophomore slugger was also named NECBL's Most Improved Player last week.
The 2015 NECBL All-Star was on the verge of becoming the league's first Triple Crown winner late in the summer, finishing first in home runs (10) and RBIs (33) but third in batting average (.360). The Germantown, Tennessee, native also led the NECBL in runs scored (36), hits (59), total bases (99), at-bats (164) and slugging percentage (.604), while also finishing in a tie for eighth with 12 stolen bases.
“His two summers in Plymouth were very impressive and showed how much he developed,” said Plymouth head coach Greg Zackrison in a statement released by the league. “He came to Plymouth this summer and accomplished his goal to prove he is a top prospect. The best part about Brent winning this award is he is the complete package, a great player and an even better young man.”
Rooker's numbers were a massive increase from his debut season in New England this past summer, when the SEC Academic Honor Roll member posted a .275/.338/.443 stat line with seven homers, 20 RBIs and 36 hits.
After earning first-team All-NECBL honors, the outfielder finished his summer with the Brewster Whitecaps in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League. Rooker appeared in four games in the CCBL, tallying three hits, two RBIs, two walks, two runs, a double, triple and a home run.
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