MLB.com

By Thomas Harding / MLB.com

Jeff Baker is not worried about the competition within the Rockies' organization. (Colorado Rockies)

Baker, 22, came out of Clemson with top-10 draftee potential in 2002, but he went in the fourth round because of perceived contract requirements. He received a $2 million Major League contract from Colorado.

When Baker was healthy last season, at Single-A Asheville, he demonstrated some of the ability that could make the investment pay off for the Rockies. He batted .289, with a healthy .479 slugging percentage, hit 11 home runs and drove in 44 runs in 70 games from May to August.

But on Sept. 18, Dr. Thomas J. Graham -- a noted specialist at the hand center, who does work for the Cleveland Indians and Washington Redskins -- shaved down a bone spur that was suspected as the root of Baker's previous problems. If he is healthy, Baker will soon have a chance to show his skills at what has become a hot corner, crowded with prospects in the Colorado chain.

"I'm happy with the way the season went when I was healthy," said Baker. "I played every day for 70 games through three or four months and thought my body adjusted well. I wish I could have played a full season instead of what amounts to a half, but I was comfortable with my swing when I was healthy."

Baker's wrist problems have been an annoyance more than a cause for major concern. After his first two operations, he returned to hit for power.

He underwent a ligament repair in the fall of 2001, and the following spring he knocked a career-best 24 home runs to finish his collegiate career with 58, a school record.

Baker was hoping to impress the Rockies in Spring Training 2002, but a cartilage problem flared, and he needed another operation. Yet he hit well for Asheville before the wrist became sore once again.

Said Baker: "Right around July 4, I started experiencing pain in my wrist, but I played through it -- the team started the second half playing pretty well, and I wanted to be out there. I probably played longer than I should have."

The Rockies sent Baker to Vail, Colo., to see Dr. Randy Viola, who performed the Spring Training operation. It was Viola who referred Baker to Graham.

The preview of Baker might have been short, but it was an encouraging one for the Rockies.

"He played pretty well for us, but now it's just a matter of getting him healthy for a full season," said Marc Gustafson, the Rockies' assistant player-development director.

Baker, a hard worker in the weight room, was cleared a little less than three weeks ago to incorporate weights into exercises involving the hand. He expects a clean bill after his visit to doctors on Wednesday. The Rockies are finalizing plans to open their doors in January to Baker and several other prospects who are recovering from injuries.

Baker insists that he is not worried about competition in the Colorado organization, and there is a lot of it. Ahead of Baker is Garrett Atkins, who struggled in a Major League trial in 2003 but maintained a high batting average throughout his minor-league career. Behind Baker is California high schooler Ian Stewart, drafted in the first round this past summer. Stewart hit .317 with 10 homers and 43 RBIs at Rookie-level Casper.

Rather than worrying about competition, Baker is looking forward to the chance that his wrist didn't allow him to have last spring. He should be healthy for big-league Spring Training.

"Even when I was hurt, I could go out there and watch guys at the top of their game, some of the best in the league at their positions, and see how they went about their business," he said. "Now I'm going to be healthy, and to have a chance to not only watch [but] participate is real exciting for me. I'm looking forward to a chance to make myself better in that environment."

Thomas Harding is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.