Jeff Baker is finding ways of saying remember me.
A .323 batting average, 65 hits and 42 RBIs have ways of turning heads in player development circles. And it doesn’t hurt that Colorado Springs Sky Sox manager Tom Runnells points to Baker as the most consistent hitter on his team as the season rolls along in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.
Baker’s batting average ranks in the top 10, his hit total in the top 15 and the RBIs in the top five in the PCL. Yet, so far this season when the topic turns to help for the Rockies from their minor- league system, the mention focuses on third baseman Ian Stewart and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, first-round draft choices, at Double-A Tulsa.
“You like to think the organization still has plans for you,” Baker said. “I’m here doing what I have to do to help us win games.”
Marc Gustafson, Rockies director of player development, said Baker hasn’t been forgotten and is well up on the list of the organization’s top prospects.
“We study his progress every day,” Gustafson said. “If he keeps putting up the numbers, he’ll force us to make a decision and make something happen for him.”
Baker joined the Rockies organization amid some surprising circumstances in 2002. Before the June draft that year, it was widely circulated that Baker would return to Clemson, where he had college eligibility, if he didn’t reach his expectations on a signing bonus and a major-league contract. Agent Scott Boras was Baker’s adviser, and that spelled a lot of money to most scouting directors. The Rockies took a flier on Baker in the fourth round. He eventually signed, but not in time to play in 2002, and the Rockies had a touted infield prospect to go with pitcher Jeff Francis, the team’s first-round pick that year.
There are reasons why the Rockies should remember Baker. At the start of the 2005 season, Garrett Atkins suffered a leg injury. Baker was the Rockies’ opening-day third baseman and played 12 games. His first major-league hit was a home run, on April 4, against San Diego.
Baker’s climb through the organization has been marred by injuries, especially in the early years. But he believes the injury bug is behind him, and he’s playing the outfield this season to increase his chance to be on a big-league roster.
“It doesn’t matter to me where I play,” Baker said. “I just want to be on the field as an everyday player.”
Baker credits the chance to work with Rockies coach Dave Collins during spring training with helping to make the adjustment from third base to the outfield. Baker is playing right field so well that Runnells has no concerns about his defensive play or throwing arm.
With Atkins and Brad Hawpe becoming fixtures at third base and right field in the Rockies’ lineup, Baker, who turns 25 later this month, finds some young players ahead of him.
“Nobody roots against a teammate,” Baker said “I know those guys and they’re playing well. I’d like to be with the Rockies, but if it’s not in the cards, that’s the way it is.”
Baker believes he’ll be in the big leagues, and so does Runnells.
“He’s always been a prospect as far as I’m concerned,” Runnells said. “He can flat-out hit. As soon as he’s able to play a full season and put up impressive numbers, he’ll get back on the radar.”
Irv Moss can be reached on 303-820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
Organizational leaders
HITTING: Matt Miller, Modesto, .332; Jeff Baker, Colorado Springs, .323.
RUNS: Troy Tulowitzki, Tulsa, 40; Joseph Koshansky, Tulsa, 39.
HITS: Miller, Modesto, 76; Baker, Colorado Springs, 65.
DOUBLES: Ian Stewart, Tulsa, 18; Seth Smith, Tulsa, 18.
TRIPLES: Stewart, Tulsa, 5; Jonathan Herrera, Modesto, 5.
HOME RUNS: Koshansky, Tulsa, 14; Tulowitzki, Tulsa, 9; Ryan Shealy, Colorado Springs, 9; Doc Brooks, Modesto, 9.
RBIs: Miller, Modesto, 55; Koshansky, Tulsa, 46.
STOLEN BASES: Eric Young Jr., Asheville, 45; Dexter Fowler, Asheville, 20; Corey Wimberly, Modesto, 20.
PITCHING VICTORIES: Ubaldo Jimenez, Tulsa, 6; (five pitchers with 5).
LOSSES: Mike Esposito, Colorado Springs, 6; Ryan Mattheus, Modesto, 5; Humberto Cardenas, Modesto, 5.
SAVES: Manuel Corpas, Tulsa, 17; Nate Field, Colorado Springs, 11.
INNINGS: Marc Kaiser, Tulsa, 76 2/3; Alan Johnson, Asheville, 70 1/3.
WALKS: Jimenez, Tulsa, 33; Samuel Deduno, Modesto, 33.
STRIKEOUTS: Deduno, Modesto, 68; Franklin Morales, Modesto, 65.
ERA: (starters) Justin Hampson, Colorado Springs, 2.28; Juan Morillo, Tulsa, 2.82 (relievers) Darren Clarke, Modesto, 1.14; Corpas, Tulsa, 1.14.
