Follow the Prospects: Darren Baker, 2B

[UMDNats]

well, for one thing, Lombardozzi is 35 now.

[welch]

Apparently he is not that good defensively and cannot okay SS/3B at all.  And does not hot for power. Hard to see a long term spot for him on an MLB roster. After trying OF is a good move.

I think you are reading the Fangraphs bit:

He is already a mixed bag at second base, with below-average hands, arm strength, and slow-twitch athleticism, relying on his elegant body control and predictably great on-field awareness to succeed. Baker will make some highlight reel plays because of his effort and acrobatic flare, but he’s an average overall defender.

I though it was a bit woodly, which is what I translated as "mumbo-jumbo". We've all seen his dazzling plays, like that behind-the-back snare, so the "expert" had to find a way smudge over Baker's "elegant body control", "great on-field awareness", "effort", and "acrobatic flare".

[welch]

I think you will see that more with a universal DH. No more bench bats that only pinch hit. Teama can use the DH to rest guys and rotate out different defenders

That is how the Yankees organized themselves to win the 2009 World Series. Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui were both good hitters, but both were 35. Matsui's legs began to go. Whoever was tired or limping got shifted to DH. Poor old Cruz is a counter-example, a reason not to sign a big, slow guy who cannot play the field.

[Natsinpwc]

Although not perfect there are metrics nowadays to measure overall defense. Generally a mistake to make judgments based on highlight reel plays. A highlight reel play for him might be more of a routine play for a guy more athletic.

I’m all for giving him a chance. But where does he play. I suppose if Garcia struggles he could get 2B. The only viable OF spot seems CF but it’s unlikely he excels enough to be any everyday CF.

Good organization filler and seems like a guy who could fill in at 2B with an injury.  Let’s see if he can continue to hit this year and see what happens at 2024 spring training.

[Mattionals]

That is how the Yankees organized themselves to win the 2009 World Series. Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui were both good hitters, but both were 35. Matsui's legs began to go. Whoever was tired or limping got shifted to DH. Poor old Cruz is a counter-example, a reason not to sign a big, slow guy who cannot play the field.

I completely changed my opinion on the DH once I saw what the Yankees were doing (for quite a long time) with the DH position. It should be used as a rotation point to give fielders a break.

[imref]

Now the Nats' #29 prospect on mlb.com

[imref]

now rehabbing with the FCL Nats

[imref]

Now at wilmington

[Natsinpwc]

Now at wilmington

Why is he going backwards?

[nobleisthyname]

Why is he going backwards?

Injury rehab.

[Natsinpwc]

Injury rehab.

Oh.

[imref]

back in Rochester

[imref]

Now #25 on the latest MLB pipeline

[imref]

Should have gotten the call rather than Garcia:

Nats Player Development:

.@DarrenBaker_2 went 3-for-5 with two RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base in Friday’s win.

Over his last three games, Baker is 7-for-15 (.467) with two RBI, three stolen bases and two runs scored

[welch]

Garcia is blocking Baker, who might be recovering from his injury. We can see if Garcia has recovered from his laziness.

[imref]

4-6 tonight

[Natsinpwc]

4-6 tonight

Lost track. Where is he now?

[welch]

4-6 tonight

He's back?

[imref]

He returned to Rochester from injury on July 26.

August: .208 / .273 / .287
September: .412 / .429 / .441 (8 games, 34 ABs), 4SBs in his last 5 games after stealing just 4 in all of August.

batting .541 in his last 5 games.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

.029 ISO? If you are fast, shouldn't you be running into more doubles and triples even if HRs are a bridge too far? jk

But seriously, he's always run a high BABIP, so the speed / contact has always been there. The sub .100 ISO also is normal, but the BBs are average and so the OBP is respectable. I have a bias towards high OBP, so I'm hoping 2nd base next year is a competition and not a coronation like it was this year.

[Mattionals]

.029 ISO? If you are fast, shouldn't you be running into more doubles and triples even if HRs are a bridge too far? jk

But seriously, he's always run a high BABIP, so the speed / contact has always been there. The sub .100 ISO also is normal, but the BBs are average and so the OBP is respectable. I have a bias towards high OBP, so I'm hoping 2nd base next year is a competition and not a coronation like it was this year.

So, Ben Revere?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I guess his rep is not being particularly fast. MLB average. That said he had a big jump in steals this year, maybe with the rule changes.

[welch]

Luis Garcia is blocking Baker, the better player.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Luis Garcia is blocking Baker, the better player.

that's what I mean by no coronations next spring. It should be an open competition among Alu, Garcia, and Baker, at least, and maybe even give Lipscomb a look too. Whoever looks the most capable of contributing at the MLB level should get the job.

[Slateman]

Luis Garcia is blocking Baker, the better player.

Garcia has a. .870 OPS in Triple A. Baker is OPSing .711.  Im not sure how you can declare Baker the better player