It's been 22 years since Darren Baker was part of a memorable moment during the 2002 World Series. More than two decades after he became an inadvertent postseason highlight as a 3-year-old, Dusty Baker's son will be called up to the majors by the Washington Nationals when MLB rosters are allowed to expand Sunday.
Baker, now 25, is a second baseman and outfielder who batted. 285 with a .688 OPS, 20 doubles, two triples, 49 RBI and 38 stolen bases with Triple-A Rochester this season. He was drafted twice by the Nationals, first in 2017 out of high school as a 27th-rounder, then in the 10th round out of UC Berkeley.
For those who might not recall or weren't old enough to remember, Dusty Baker's son was a bat boy for the San Francisco Giants when they played the then-Anaheim Angels in the World Series. During the bottom of the seventh in Game 5, Kenny Lofton hit a triple to deep right field.
Baker wandered a bit too close to home plate as runners were scoring. In danger of getting run over by professional athletes, Giants first baseman J.T. Snow picked up Baker and carried him out of harm's way in one of the most touching moments ever seen on a baseball field.
Baker's Legacy Beyond Bat Boy Duty
As a result, MLB instituted a rule that all bat boys must be at least 14 years old. That may have been the younger Baker's baseball legacy until he progressed through the Nationals' minor league system and earned a call-up to the majors.
Where exactly Baker will play in the Nationals' lineup is uncertain with young players Luis Garcia Jr. (.292, .784 OPS) at second base and James Wood (.279, .801 OPS) manning left field. Perhaps he'll see time in center field and designated hitter, but his positional versatility should allow manager Dave Martinez to plug him in throughout the lineup when someone needs rest or a left-handed bat with speed is deemed necessary.
The Nationals are planning to select the contract of second baseman/left fielder Darren Baker on Sunday, according to the Talk Nats feed (X link). Some space will need to be cleared on Washington’s 40-man roster, but a corresponding move on the active roster might not be necessary, since rosters expand from 26 to 28 players on Sunday.
Baker's Rise Through the Ranks
A 10th-round pick for the Nats in the 2021 draft, Baker isn’t considered one of Washington’s top 30 prospects by either Baseball America or MLB Pipeline. However, he has been red-hot at the plate in August, building his season-long slash line to .285/.348/.340 over 483 plate appearances with Triple-A Rochester. While he doesn’t offer much power, Baker makes a lot of contact and is a threat on the basepaths, with 38 steals in 43 attempts this season.
Baker has primarily played second base and left field during his minor league career, but might not get a ton of action at either position since Luis Garcia Jr. and James Wood (both left-handed batters, like Baker) are established in everyday roles. Baker has played a bit of center field so he could get some platoon work up the middle with Jacob Young, and he could join the DH mix with the likes of Juan Yepez, Andres Chaparro, and veteran Joey Gallo.
A Family Legacy on the Diamond
Baker will be making his MLB debut whenever he appears in a game, but the 25-year-old is no stranger to the big leagues. The son of legendary manager Dusty Baker, Darren became known to fans when he was just three years old, and working as a bat boy for the father’s Giants team during the 2002 World Series. During Game 5, Baker was running towards home plate to pick up Kenny Lofton‘s bat after a two-run triple, and might have been run over by baserunner David Bell if J.T. Snow hadn’t quickly grabbed the youngster out of harm’s way after Snow scored earlier on the play.
That incident led to the league instituting a rule that all batboys had to be at least 14 years old, and thus “the Darren Baker rule” has already ensured Baker some level of notoriety within baseball history. Now, he can create a new name for himself by officially becoming a Major League player, and continuing the Baker family’s on-field legacy in the game. (Current fans may know Dusty Baker best as a manager, but the elder Baker was a two-time All-Star and former NLCS MVP during an outstanding 19-year playing career.)
A New Chapter for Darren Baker
Darren Baker's call-up is a testament to his hard work and perseverance. He has carved out his own path in the game, proving that he's more than just a famous name. While his father's legacy undoubtedly paved the way, Darren has earned his own place in the MLB. It will be exciting to see how he performs in the coming weeks and how his career unfolds.
His story is a reminder that baseball is a game of family and tradition. It's also a reminder that even in the most high-profile of families, the drive to succeed comes from within. As Darren Baker takes his place in the big leagues, we can only wish him the best of luck and look forward to seeing his journey unfold on the diamond.
