Brent Rooker of the Athletics Power Bat vs. Paul Goldschmidt of the New York Yankees Batting Title Chase: A Tale of Two Surprises

In a 2025 MLB season filled with breakout stories, few have been more compelling — or more unexpected — than the contrasting campaigns of Rooker and Goldschmidt.

Rooker continues to be a raw power threat on a struggling A’s roster, while Goldschmidt, now in pinstripes, is suddenly hitting for batting average like Luis Arraez of the San Diego Padres with a corner infielder’s glove. Neither season is playing out exactly as projected — but for fantasy managers and prop bettors, both players offer real upside as we turn the corner toward summer.

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Brent Rooker: Power-Only Fantasy Asset… But That’s Not a Knock

Through June, Rooker has launched 12 home runs with 27 RBI, a solid pace that extrapolates out to 35–40 HRs by season’s end — right in line with optimistic pre-season projections.

But let’s be clear: if you need steals, average, or OBP help… you’re not rostering Rooker.

• Slash line: .232 / .296 / .492

• ISO: .260 (elite raw power)

• Hard-hit rate: Top 10% in MLB

• SB: 0

Fantasy Value:

• Category leagues: Home run streamer or CI plug-in

• Points leagues: Valuable slugger due to XBH

Prediction: Once the weather heats up in Sacramento (and in road trips to Texas, Colorado, Anaheim), Rooker could hit 15+ HRs in the second half. If he stays healthy, a 40-HR season is in play.

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Betting Outlook: Ride Rooker’s Power Props in Favorable Matchups

Key prop market:

• Anytime Home Run: Rooker has cashed +350 to +500 HR props 5 times since mid-May.

• Total Bases Over 1.5: Higher variance, but great in hitter-friendly parks.

Best bet windows:

• Rooker vs. lefties (.310 AVG, .720 SLG in 2025)

• Games at Coors Field, Globe Life Field, and Chase Field

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Paul Goldschmidt: Hitting .347 in the Bronx?!

Nobody — and we mean nobody — had Goldschmidt hitting .347 through early June on their 2025 bingo card. The 36-year-old first baseman was brought in by the Yankees for veteran presence, right-handed balance, and a glove… and instead, he’s chasing a batting title.

• Current line: .347 AVG / .403 OBP / .472 SLG

• HRs: Just 5

• RBIs: 29

• OPS vs. LHP: 1.100+

Goldy’s transformation into a line-drive machine isn’t sustainable forever, but with these stats already banked, fantasy managers are enjoying a hidden boost in a category that’s harder than ever to control: batting average.

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Betting Insights: Goldy Is a Lefty Killer

• Goldschmidt vs. LHP Total Bases Over 1.5: Hit in 8 of last 10 starts vs. southpaws

• Hit Prop Parlays: Combine Goldy with Judge or Torres for plus-money hit combos, especially in Bronx day games

Yankees Futures Update:

• AL East Odds: +200 (trailing BAL)

• AL Pennant: +750

• World Series: +1500

Goldschmidt might not be launching 30+ homers anymore, but his consistency, defensive acumen, and lineup protection for Aaron Judge have made him a critical glue piece in a contending Yankee lineup.

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Second-Half Forecasts: Rooker to 40 HR? Goldy to .300?

• Rooker: Will remain frustrating to own in roto if you need all-around production, but he’s a perfect DFS and betting target. His HR pace could accelerate in July–August, especially if the A’s give him protection in the lineup.

• Goldschmidt: His average will almost certainly regress — his career AVG is .291 and this .347 is well beyond expected metrics — but he’s banked enough for a season-ending line around .310 with 20 HRs and 80 RBI.

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Weekend Prop Watch & Best Bets

Athletics vs. Toronto Blue Jays (Saturday/Sunday)

• Saturday: Rooker HR prop (+425) 

• Sunday: JP Sears vs. Kevin Gausman – AVOID Oakland bats; look at Jays run line

Yankees vs. Dodgers (Sunday Finale)

• Paul Goldschmidt Over 1.5 TBs vs. LHP 

• Goldy Hit Prop: Still +110 in 2+ Hit markets

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Final Word: Rooker Is the Bat, Goldy Is the Bank

Rooker remains one of the purest power plays in MLB — not a five-tool fantasy asset, but a must-watch bat every time he steps in. Meanwhile, Paul Goldschmidt’s Bronx rebirth has been one of the league’s quietest batting average windfalls, giving the Yankees exactly what they didn’t expect — a .300 hitter with postseason polish.

For fantasy? Ride both where it fits.

For betting? Power on the West Coast, precision in the Bronx.

You can read all about what’s going on in Major League Baseball at SportsGrid.com.