welcome mat

Invitations to big league spring camp are a nice perk for minor league players, and it probably should come as no surprise that Brent Rooker has received one from Minnesota. The former Mississippi State All-American, rated the Twins’ No. 7 prospect (mlb.com), had an outstanding 2018 season at Double-A Chattanooga, batting .254 with 22 home runs and 79 RBIs and earning Southern League All-Star recognition. Rooker, a first baseman/outfielder, was slated to play in the Arizona Fall League but was held out because of a minor injury. Entering just his third pro season, he appears to be very close to making his MLB debut. … Other invitations that have trickled in on the transaction wire include: catcher Jack Kruger (MSU) with the Los Angeles Angels; catcher Chuckie Robinson (Southern Miss) with Houston; and right-hander Zac Houston (MSU) and outfielder Jacob Robson (MSU) with Detroit. Kruger reached Double-A last season and batted .299 overall. Robinson batted .238 with seven homers in A-ball last summer. Houston and Robson finished 2018 at Triple-A Toledo, where both played well. Houston posted a 1.18 ERA and 10 saves. Robson hit .305 at Toledo and .295 overall, with 11 homers, 47 RBIs and 15 steals.