“Clearly you’ve received bloodlines there,” former Assistant Director of Novice Scouting and present West Coast Crosschecker Mark Baca informed reporters after the Nationals drafted Darren Baker, son of former Washington supervisor Dusty Baker, for the second time (2017/2021).
“He’s a extremely good participant. Clever. You watch him play on the sphere, in order that’s a giant trait, he’s received instruments, he’s very versatile. He can play second, play middle, he can run, in order that was clearly — along with his father Dusty — we actually favored the participant, every little thing about the way in which that his clock works, nice instincts. We actually just like the participant.”
“He type of dialed it up a notch this yr,” then-VP of Scouting Operations and the present Particular Assistant to the GM Kris Kline mentioned on the second day of the 2021 Draft, of Baker, who was coming off of a powerful season on the College of California, Berkeley, the place the infielder hit .327 with six doubles, 17 RBIs, 28 BBs, 28 stolen bases, and 40 runs scored.
“Stole a bunch of luggage. Had a pleasant yr and also you pull for these guys like this. He’s been across the recreation his complete life. We had been very excited to get him the place we received him [in the 10th Round]. I’m certain Dusty is fairly pumped too.”
In 4 seasons within the minor leagues with the Nationals, earlier than he was referred to as as much as make his MLB debut late this previous season, Baker put up a mixed .286/.348/.354 line in 346 video games, with a .285/.348/.340 line, 20 doubles, 38 stolen bases (in 43 makes an attempt), 43 walks, and 91 Ks at Triple-A Rochester.
“There’s no charity call-ups on this recreation,” GM and President of Baseball Ops Mike Rizzo informed Audacy’s The Sports activities Junkies in addressing the thought Darren getting a shot was something aside from an occasion of a participant incomes the chance.
“It’s too useful a roster spot to do a favor for him. This child has confirmed himself at each degree and performed very effectively at Triple-A for nearly two seasons, so he’s earned the best to get that huge league uniform on. And it was a enjoyable telephone name to make to Dusty to inform him his child was coming to the massive leagues.”
“I’ve recognized the child for a very long time, he’s received nice make-up, he’s a beautiful child,” Rizzo added.
“Additionally, he is aware of the right way to play the sport.
“He’s received a excessive baseball IQ, he’s an excellent runner, he’s an excellent base stealer.”
Rizzo described Baker as a, “… contact hitter [who] can play a number of positions for us. We see him as a man that may be a giant a part of the longer term for us.
“Being a complementary participant to the opposite guys that we’ve got within the system.”
“Darren has accomplished very well the final two years in Rochester,” Nats’ supervisor Davey Martinez informed reporters after Baker received the decision.
“A man that may assist us in a number of methods, defensively, hitting, he’s received good bat-to-ball abilities, left-handed hitter, can play completely different positions. So he deserved an opportunity to return up right here and play up right here slightly bit and see what we’ve received.
“I’m certain Dusty is on his approach if he’s not right here already, so it is going to be good to see him as effectively and get to see his son play within the huge leagues.”
“I all the time thought he was going to be [a big league player] as a result of that’s what he needed,” Dusty Baker mentioned, as quoted by MLB.com’s Jessica Camerato.
“He put within the time and the trouble. I believed he had the expertise to do it. … He’s not in awe being on the market. He’s grateful, however he feels snug, like dwelling.”
“I feel it does really feel snug,” Darren mentioned, “particularly this one [Nationals Park]. I knew the right way to get right here. I didn’t need to put it into my telephone or something. So I felt snug simply exhibiting up.”
And being again in Nationals Park to play this time, and never because the supervisor’s son?
“It’s slightly completely different,” he acknowledged.
“I feel it type of makes me distinctive. I’ve had a number of completely different experiences and other people I’ve crossed paths with to get so far. And I’m nonetheless simply getting began. We’ll see the place it goes, however I’m grateful for every little thing.”
Baker was certainly one of 10 Nationals to make their MLB debuts this previous season. He completed up 7 for 14 with two doubles in 9 video games in his first run within the majors.
“[He] shouldn’t be afraid,” Martinez mentioned after a 3 for 4 recreation by Baker on September nineteenth, after he singled on the primary pitch he noticed within the majors.
“Like I mentioned, he’s an excellent baseball participant, he’s going to present you every little thing he has on the market day-after-day.”
“He is aware of himself very well. He didn’t attempt to do an excessive amount of, he stayed on the ball, hit a pair balls the opposite was actually, very well, in order that was superior to see.”
“[Baker] had hits in 5 of seven video games wherein he had an at-bat,” the Nationals famous of their Season in Overview, “… together with going 4-for-8 with a double and a run scored in his two begins [and] 3-for-5 as PH.”
Within the minors, Baker, “ranked in prime 5 within the WSH org. in SB (1st, 38), hits (1st, 124), runs (1st, 70), AVG (2nd, .285) and OBP (4th, .348) on the time of his name up.
“Defensively, he was tied for the Minor League lead with 9 [defensive] runs saved at second base, based on Sports activities Information Options, on the time of recall.”
What do the Nationals have in Baker. An attention-grabbing bench choice? A utility man, who can run the bases, supplied strong protection? One factor is for certain, he’s greater than only a good story.
