Follow the Prospects: Darren Baker, 2B

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Not awful, and at 23 in AA that's getting to very fringe prospect status.  Interesting that he's hit a couple balls out this year.  Still not a prospect, but getting closer.

a complete team needs a few Adrian Sanchez types. Not prospects but capable of time in the majors. Classic AAAA guys.  Baker could end up that. Fringe of the roster with a few skills.

[Section214]

a complete team needs a few Adrian Sanchez types. Not prospects but capable of time in the majors. Classic AAAA guys.  Baker could end up that. Fringe of the roster with a few skills.

Yeah I must admit that I have never seen him play, but I assume he is very fundamentally sound at 2B and on the basepaths and he seems to be able to get on base. If he could develop a little position versatility, I think his prospect status would go up.

[DPMOmaha]

Yeah I must admit that I have never seen him play, but I assume he is very fundamentally sound at 2B and on the basepaths and he seems to be able to get on base. If he could develop a little position versatility, I think his prospect status would go up.

There's defiantly a role for a guy like that on a good team.

[Elvir Ovcina]

a complete team needs a few Adrian Sanchez types. Not prospects but capable of time in the majors. Classic AAAA guys.  Baker could end up that. Fringe of the roster with a few skills.

Exactly.

[welch]

Got a hit today, bringing his average to .289, OPS of .674

[JCA-CrystalCity]

A bit of a on this from Eric Longerhagen's chat yesterday on FG:

Trent: Who’s the next Arraez in the minors?

12:55    
Eric A Longenhagen: Could be Luke Waddell or Darren Baker, could be Roque Salinas. Yohel Pozo also super Astudillo-y

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/eric-longenhagen-chat/

Adding DB to follow the prospects index.

[Elvir Ovcina]

A bit of a on this from Eric Longerhagen's chat yesterday on FG:https://blogs.fangraphs.com/eric-longenhagen-chat/

Adding DB to follow the prospects index.

Fangraphs, the site that thinks Patrick Corbin just had a season that was above replacement level.

[imref]

Fangraphs, the site that thinks Patrick Corbin just had a season that was above replacement level.

depends on who you replace Corbin with.

[nobleisthyname]

Fangraphs, the site that thinks Patrick Corbin just had a season that was above replacement level.

By RA9-WAR he's an astonishing (though not if you've actually watched him this season) -2.0 WAR.

Still, I can't help but wonder what a more competent defense next season might make him look. All of the advanced ERA predictors have him pegged between 4.0-5.0 ERA. He's far from a good pitcher, but is it at all possible he's not as truly awful as he's looked this year?

[welch]

Darren B. finished .290 at Harrisburg. He fields, he runs the bases. Luis G. is still a bit of a butcher at 2B. Baker is definitely a prospect.

[Slateman]

He is 23 and slugged .361. Baker is not a prospect. His ceiling is utility infielder.

[imref]

maybe he actually is a prospect?

[welch]

maybe he actually is a prospect?

As long as Darren Baker hits and fields, how is he NOT a prospect?

[imref]

.757 ops so far in Rochester batting leadoff. If he keeps this up we’ll see him in DC soon.

[nobleisthyname]

A .757 OPS isn't setting the world on fire. Is it a pitching heavy league where that is more impressive than it sounds? Or is Baker supposed to be really good with the glove? Or is it just because our MLB team is actually a AAAA team and so it doesn't take much to earn a callup?

[imref]

A .757 OPS isn't setting the world on fire. Is it a pitching heavy league where that is more impressive than it sounds? Or is Baker supposed to be really good with the glove? Or is it just because our MLB team is actually a AAAA team and so it doesn't take much to earn a callup?

Low bar to jump. .357 BA in his first 14 ABs

[nobleisthyname]

I'm all for letting the young guys get a chance. I just wish we had someone to really get excited about. I suppose that will hopefully be Wood in a season or two.

[blue911]

He reminds me of Steve Lombardozzi

[Section214]

I'm all for letting the young guys get a chance. I just wish we had someone to really get excited about. I suppose that will hopefully be Wood in a season or two.

Jeez. Keep the misery and negativity to the clubhouse please. The farm should be a place for optimism.

[nobleisthyname]

My apologies, that wasn't even me trying to be miserable 

Baker seems interesting, like every player we have a FTP thread for.

[Section214]

My apologies, that wasn't even me trying to be miserable 

Baker seems interesting, like every player we have a FTP thread for.

Excellent. Yes, Baker will surely be an all-star in the coming years

[welch]

Baker has done well at every level. Why complain about him?

[Natsinpwc]

Baker has done well at every level. Why complain about him?

I don’t think anyone is complaining but his stats thus far don’t cry to call him up.  No indication yet he can hit better than Garcia although probably a better fielder. Let’s give him a year at Triple A and see how it goes.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

He reminds me of Steve Lombardozzi

kind of high praise.  Lombardozzi got into 291 games and had 848 PAs in the majors over an 6 season career.

[imref]

I don’t think anyone is complaining but his stats thus far don’t cry to call him up.  No indication yet he can hit better than Garcia although probably a better fielder. Let’s give him a year at Triple A and see how it goes.

if he keeps hitting >.350 he's going to get called up to replace whoever gets hurt first among Vargas/Chavis/Garcia/Abrams or if Vargas/Chavis are hitting below .200 a couple of months from now.