Darren Baker, who grew up around the game, inches closer to his dreamGolden:
Talks about his 1st Spring Training without Dusty in town. Also talks about how 2023 had some good numbers but was hampered by injuries, especially coming back at < 100% in June.
The offseason heading into 2023 was a lost one for Baker. He tore a ligament in his thumb sliding into a base in September 2022 but played the rest of the season. He participated in the Arizona Fall League briefly but ultimately couldn’t move his hand without pain and opted for surgery.
Baker ended his 2023 season hitting .284 with three home runs and 44 RBI. It was a solid year, but there’s certainly room for improvement. Power has never been a part of Baker’s game, yet he still had only 11 doubles in 107 games in 2023 after 24 in 105 games in 2022. His slugging percentage (.349) was the same as his on-base percentage. Extra-base hits at the major league level will be even harder to come by.
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Baker said he has made his biggest jump in an offseason. He put on almost 15 pounds since leaving Rochester. Baker also hopes to display better plate discipline this year, including being “more stubborn” in swinging in his hot zones. Last season he believed like pitchers at Class AAA exploited him on balls inside, resulting in him getting jammed on fastballs or chasing breaking pitches down and in.
Notes that while Garcia is slated to be the 2nd baseman, Davey has said Garcia has to earn it in the spring.
