AB 1793
AVG .264
OBP .318
SLG .432
HR 54
  • Full name Jeffrey Glen Baker
  • Born 06/21/1981 in Bad Kissingen, Germany
  • Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Clemson
  • Debut 04/04/2005
  • Drafted in the 4th round (111th overall) by the Colorado Rockies in 2002 (signed for $200,000).
    View Draft Report
    Baker continues to be the top college position player available, yet his .332-21-70 season has left something to be desired in the eyes of scouts. Baker started poorly when teams pitched around him early, giving him a lot of offspeed slop off the plate. He has exceptional bat speed and power, and he broke Matt LeCroy's school record for career homers. He also has the glove and arm to be a solid third baseman, once he adjusts his footwork. While scouts acknowledge Baker is a fine hitter, they also think he's overrated and has holes in his long swing. He has a big uppercut and could get overmatched by quality fastballs up or in once he starts using wood. His track record without aluminum isn't impressive, as he has hit .216 with two homers in two summers with Team USA. He might go in the first 10 picks, but if it's true that he wants a deal similar to the $9.5 million big league contract Mark Teixeira got from the Rangers last year--and Baker has the same agent, Scott Boras--then he could plummet toward the bottom of the first round.

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  • Rated Best Defensive 3B in the California League in 2004

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