Darren Baker #85

Darren John Baker...Graduated from Jesuit High School in Carmichael, California and the University of California, Berkeley...Is the son of Dusty Baker...Was First Team All-Pac-12 and was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team in 2021...He hit .327 with six doubles, 17 RBI, 28 walks, 28 stolen bases and 40 runs scored...His 28 stolen bases ranked eighth in NCAA Division I.

2024

Washington’s Minor League Baserunner of the Year made his Major League debut in September...Led Washington’s Minor League system in stolen bases (38) before making his Major League debut on Sept. 1...His 38 steals were the third-most in the International League in 2024...Also ranked second among Nationals farmhands with 70 runs scored prior to his call-up...Hit safely in a career-high 17 games (Aug. 7-28) before having his contract selected – the longest streak in Minor League Baseball at the time...Made MLB debut on Sept. 1 vs. Chicago (NL) as a pinch hitter...Singled on the first pitch he saw...Had hits in five of seven big league games in which he had an at-bat, including going 4-for-8 with a double and a run scored in his two starts...Was 3-for-5 as a pinch hitter...Went 3-for-4 with a double and a run in his first career start on Sept. 19 at Chicago (NL)...Ranked among the top 10 in Washington’s system in batting average (second, .285), on-base percentage (third, .348), total bases (eighth, 148), OPS (ninth, .688), RBI (tied for ninth, 49) and doubles (tied for 10th, 20).

2023

Ranked among Nationals Minor Leaguers in average (third, .280), hits (fourth, 118), triples (T6th, 4), on-base percentage (10th, .348), OPS (10th, .692) and stolen bases (10th, 21)...Opened the season with Triple-A Rochester, hitting .346/.410/.454 through the first 34 games...Was hitting .317 with eight doubles, two triples, two homers, 25 RBI, 23 walks, nine stolen bases and 25 runs scored in his first 48 games before being placed on the Injured List on June 3...In addition to 68 games at second base, he appeared in 33 games in left field and one game in center. 

2022

Was chosen to represent the Nationals organization in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Dodger Stadium...Ranked among Nationals Minor Leaguers in average (T4th, .280), hits (5th, 116), doubles (5th, 24), on-base percentage (9th, .343) and runs (T7th, 66)...Opened the season with High-A Wilmington before being promoted to Double-A Harrisburg on July 22.

2021

Reported to the Florida Complex League following the Draft...Was promoted to Single-A Fredericksburg on Aug. 24...Hit .333 with four doubles, six RBI, six walks, two stolen bases and five runs scored in 22 games between the two stops.