TUCSON — The Rockies clubhouse was nearly deserted late this afternoon when Jeff Baker returned from his postgame workout.
“I have to get my lifting in, four times a week,” he said.
Baker is nothing if not dedicated.
During the offseason, he was told he would be given a chance to convert from a backup third baseman/utilityman into the starting second baseman. In response, Baker dropped 18 pounds and worked to improve his agility.
After one week of Cactus League games, Baker’s transformation appears to be paying off. In the Rockies’ 7-5 loss to Kansas City today, Baker went 2-for-5 with a homer and a double, bumping up his spring average to .364. He also handled second-base duties flawlessly.
Manager Clint Hurdle, always quick to temper praise early in camp, has been impressed by Baker.
“It’s the fourth day of March, isn’t it? But he’s doing very well,” Hurdle said. “He’s hit the ball hard and he’s got an opportunity in front of him. He’s come out of the blocks pretty clean.”
Competitors for the second-base job include Jayson Nix and Marcus Giles. Both are career second basemen, meaning Baker must excel in the field in order to win the job.
“We probably have a more acute eye on him, just his positioning, his range and his movement on the ball off the bat, and setting up the double play, things like that,” Hurdle said. “So far, he’s made some very quick adjustments out there.”
Should Baker win the job, he’d put even more power in the Rockies’ already potent lineup. That’s a point in his favor.
At this stage of spring, Baker doesn’t believe he has a big edge on his competition, but he acknowledges his fast start has been important.
“I feel good offensively and defensively,” Baker said. “Clint told us how we played was going to determine our reps, so that makes it important to make an impression.”
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
