Draft League Spotlight: Darren Baker

Player: Darren Baker
Position: MIF
School: California

The son of former 19-year Major League player and current Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker, Darren -- a 27th-round pick by the Nationals in 2017 -- has a strong record of performing in both the Pac-12 and the Cape Cod League, where he garnered All-Star honors in ‘19. He’s enjoyed his best collegiate season to date so far in 2021, batting .337 with 57 hits and 22 steals through 42 games. Baker’s athleticism shows in his plus-plus speed (6.4 60-yard time) and his smooth actions up the middle. He has the hands and plus arm strength needed to profile as a shortstop but has manned the keystone exclusively in ‘21, committing just two errors. At the plate, Baker earns high marks for being an intelligent hitter who understands his offensive game. He employs a short, compact left-handed swing that yields a lot of line drives across the field, albeit with well-below-average game power. He puts his wheels to good use on basepaths, as evidenced by his 52 steals in 59 attempts at Cal.

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