Darren Baker: First Scrapper Selected in MLB Draft

Jordan Boitnott

Monday Night, Scrappers second baseman, Darren Baker was selected with the 293rd pick in Round 10 in the MLB Amateur Draft. Baker was drafted to the Washington Nationals. He was the seventh player selected from the MLB Draft League to be taken in this year's amateur draft and the first from the Scrappers. His time was cut short with the Scrappers due to an undisclosed injury. In his brief stint with the team he batted .500, at the plate, he was 2-4 with two singles. Baker also scored a run and tallied two walks in the two games he appeared in.

The 22-year-old infielder played his college ball at the University of California. During his four year stint at CAL he slashed .302/.338/.362 (CalBears). Baker culminated his college career in 2021 with his best season yet, as a senior he batted .327 with a .757 OPS in 55 games. Aside from being a contact hitter Baker is an excellent base stealer, swiping 28 bags this season with CAL. He also showed he can handle the glove with a .988 fielding percentage making only three errors on the season.

Baker has baseball in his blood, his father Dusty Baker currently manages the Houston Astros. In the past he managed the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds and the team who drafted his son the Washington Nationals (Baseball Reference).Dusty Baker has been managing for 24 seasons. He’s won three Manager of the Year Awards and made a World Series appearance with the Giants in 2002.

Dusty Baker had a solid career as a player as well. In 19 seasons he accumulated 37 Wins Above Replacement, hit .278 for his career, along with a .779 OPS. He also won a World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981. Baker achieved many awards on the field, he was nominated as an all-star twice, won two Silver Sluggers and a Gold Glove. Darren Baker hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps while also beginning to build his own legacy on the diamond.